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What Is Microlearning?

Microlearning is more than simply bite-sized training assets. It’s focused and offers just the right amount of information necessary to help a learner achieve a specific, actionable performance objective. Where other forms of training often happen outside of learners’ day-to-day contexts, or are longer, making it more difficult to apply knowledge to specific on-the-job objectives. Microlearning techniques enable learners to select and use assets most applicable to their current needs on whatever device is most handy, making the training even more relevant to their work. This learner-driven nature increases engagement, improves training and job efficiency, and builds learner interest in seeking out additional training opportunities.

Microlearning Benefits for Your Company

Personalization and Autonomy

When each training asset is tagged to create strong metadata, learners can easily find what they need to complete real, job-related tasks. This fosters learner autonomy, driving greater learner interest and motivation. As learners are able to personalize their training experience, they are more likely to apply knowledge on the job and seek out future training.

Just-in-time Learning

Microlearning strategies support employees accessing information when they need it most. Because assets are compact, learners are more likely to invest the time needed to use them in an on-the-job context. Furthermore, assets developed to be compatible with a wide variety of devices allow learners to use them when and where it’s most helpful. As a result, learners gain new knowledge just in time to meet their immediate needs.

Effective and Varied Learning

Microlearning lends itself to a variety of different modalities, which creates effective, richly varied training experiences for learners. Because these assets are compact and focused on specific objectives, they can be easily matched to the modality (games, videos, infographics, eLearning, etc.) best suited to the content. Using the best modality for specific content creates more effective training. This effectiveness and the variety of the training experiences increase learner engagement.

Advantageous for Trainers

There are several key advantages for trainers and learning and development departments. Given their small size, microlearning assets can be easier and more affordable to produce and to maintain. Further they are easily used for a variety of purposes: as components of larger training initiatives, as performance support, as communication tools, and more.

How to Overcome the Potential Pitfalls of Microlearning

While microlearning instruction offers distinct advantages, relying too heavily on this strategy may introduce pitfalls. Because micro modules lend to many small training pieces, it’s easy to develop training that leaves learners feeling like they are missing the big picture or that creates an inconsistent experience across training assets. Best practices that will help avoid these pitfalls include:

  • Build connections between the various microlearning assets
  • Build connections between microlearning assets and deep-dive training assets
  • Define clear standards that create consistent branding to guide microlearning development
  • Strategically use keywords, images, and principles across microlearning assets
  • Identify related training at the end of a microlearning asset

By creating connections between your training assets, establishing clear standards for both look and feel and user experience, and using metadata to help learners find related training resources, you’ll create a cohesive, consistent experience that helps learners understand the bigger picture.

What Kind of Content Will You Include in the Training?

  • Complying with new requirements and procedures
  • Completing projects with accelerated timelines
  • Creating engaged employees
  • Addressing the growing skills gaps
  • Preventing high turnover and rise of workforce mobility

What Technology Will You Use to Make Your Training Available?

Not all learning management systems manage microlearning well. The effectiveness of your training program depends in part on ease of access. If a learner can’t quickly find what they’re looking for and consume it right when they need it, it’s less likely that they’ll put the effort in to access and use short training pieces.So, your learning management system should be easily searchable and provide excellent tagging so that learners can find what they need. And, if possible, having the capacity to share microlearning assets through social networking capabilities will increase the use and success of microlearning assets.

Who Are Your Learners?

When choosing a training strategy, it’s important to start with your learners’ needs and contexts in mind. While microlearning can be a highly effective strategy across all generations, younger learners or learners who are more technologically savvy may be more comfortable using microlearning assets than those who use digital devices less frequently.  Further, web-based microlearning depends on learners having web-enabled devices readily available while they work, since this training works best when consumed in an on-the-job setting.

representative talent profile

instructional writer

Position(s): Lead or supporting writer
Years of Instructional Experience: 2+
Number of Completed Projects: 15+

Key Skills: Instructional Writing, Technical Writing, Instructional Design, Content Curation, eLearning Development, Curriculum Development, Course Authoring, Storytelling, Learning Assessment, Editing, Proofreading, AI Prompt Engineering

Media Skills: Use of stock media libraries

Strengths: Problem-Solving, Clear and Concise Writing, Tone and Style, Formatting, Consistency, Creativity, Communication, Active Listening, Research, Brainstorming, Collaboration, Attention to Detail, Adaptability

Career Highlights:

  • Scripted over 100 hours of learning content and supporting materials for different modalities for both US and global audiences  
  • Adapted writing style and reading grade level to suit design specifications and learner needs in several different industries (finance, healthcare, manufacturing, etc.) 
  • Used generative AI to supplement source content and to accelerate the writing process (without plagiarism) 

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

learning experience designer

Position(s): Learning Experience (LX) Designer or Strategist
Years of Instructional Experience: 7+
Number of Completed Projects: 30+

Key Skills: Learner Experience Design (LXD),  Instructional Design, Learning Assessment,  Hybrid Learning, Learning in the Flow of Work, Project-Based Learning Methodologies, Cohort and Social Learning, Learner Experience Platforms

Media Skills: LX journey maps and representations of other interconnected or integrated learning strategies 

Strengths: Systems Thinking, Stakeholder Communication, Instructional Design Strategy, Learning Theory, Training Effectiveness

Career Highlights:

  • Designed personalized learner experience (LX) journeys for an organization of 30k (with 5 tiered tracks) 
  • Curated existing LXs that could be leveraged in new learning journeys for other roles, with measurement at key milestones to evaluate progress and success 
  • Wrote up the specifications for branching scenarios, question libraries, options for audio/visual media, and more, connecting each learner experience to a personalized journey 

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

instructional media specialist

Position(s): Lead or supporting graphic designer, lead motion video artist
Years of Instructional Experience: 6+
Number of Completed Projects: 40+

Key Skills: Visual Design, Illustration, UX/UI Design, Storyboarding, Animation, Audio Engineering

Media Skills: Engaging illustrations, 3D models, character design, storyboarding, live-action and motion graphic video creation, audio recording and editing, client branding, and more to enhance media and create engaging touchpoints that resonate with learners 

Strengths: Brainstorming, Collaboration, Visual Communication,  Color Theory, Typography, Layout and Composition

Career Highlights:

  • Completed projects with extreme attention to fonts, colors, spacing, and more that ensured integrity with client branding requirements 
  • Designed and integrated media based on project-specific content that reflected the learner audience, established realistic learning environments, allowed for hands-on practice in virtual environments, and promoted diversity and engaging storytelling
  • Created quick-reference illustrations learners could access on the job to help them make fast, effective decisions   

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

lms admin

Position(s): Admin or sub-admin for Learning Management System (LMS)
Years of Instructional Experience: 5+
Number of Completed Projects: 15+

Key Skills: LMS Configuration, User Management, Course Management, System Maintenance, Reporting, Data Analysis, System Integrations

Media Skills: Network and tech-stack diagrams to communicate system architecture and integration 

Strengths: Troubleshooting and Analysis, Learning Analytics, User Administration, Technical Proficiency, Documentation, Adaptability

Career Highlights:

  • Managed a curriculum of more than 1,450 course offerings in the LMS for more than 10,000 learners 
  • Uploaded, tested, and ensured the readiness of new and relaunched programs 
  • Created and maintained reporting workflows to meet stakeholder needs 
  • Provided on-demand support to the learning team to answer questions and promptly address concerns 

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

learning project manager

Position(s): Learning project manager, project lead, or coordinator
Years of Instructional Experience: 5+
Number of Completed Projects: 35+

Key Skills: eLearning Development, Resource Coordination, Project Management (PMP Certified), Agile and Waterfall PM Methodologies, Budgeting and Forecasting, Scheduling, Quality Assurance

Media Skills: Visual reporting of project plans via Gantt charts and other standard formats

Strengths: Problem-Solving, Communication, Active Listening, Collaboration, Decision-Making, Attention to Detail, Adaptability, Time Management, Risk Management, Budget Management, Team Coordination and Delegation

Career Highlights:

  • Managed concurrent award-winning projects without missing deadlines or wasting resources 
  • Completed several projects earlier than the expected timeline and under the anticipated budget 
  • Built strong relationships with returning client partners for multi-phase initiatives or course maintenance projects 

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME)

Position(s): Industry-specific specialist
Years of Instructional Experience: 5+
Number of Completed Projects: 5+

Key Skills: Content Curation, Specialized Content Development, Industry-Specific Expertise, Domain Expertise (e.g., Leadership, Onboarding, Compliance), Content Review

Media Skills: Recommendation and review of technical diagrams or industry-specific images

Strengths: Specialized Content Knowledge, Content-Gathering, Simplifying and Organizing Complex Material, Brainstorming, Collaboration, Documentation of Source Content, Decision-Making, Technical Content Review

Career Highlights:

  • Helped create, gather, and organize over 50 hours of content for projects with specific industry or learning needs and contextual nuances
  • Facilitated the decision-making process and collaboration between internal and external teams to consolidate feedback into actionable next steps 

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

LEARNING STRATEGIST

Position(s): Lead strategist or performance consultant
Years of Instructional Experience: 7+
Number of Completed Projects: 20+

Key Skills: Needs Analysis, Learning Theory, Learner Experience Design, Learning Analytics and Measurement, Performance Mapping, Behavioral and Performance Analysis, Content Curation, Curriculum Analysis, Change Management

Media Skills: Curriculum maps, learner experience journeys, and conceptual program wireframes

Strengths: Big-Picture Thinking, Critical Thinking and Analysis, Problem-Solving, Creativity, Stakeholder Communication, Research, Design, Collaboration, Facilitation

Career Highlights:

  • Conducted a comprehensive learning needs analysis for customer services representatives that included both product knowledge and interpersonal skills development 
  • Prioritized alignment of business and learner needs, such as high-impact accessible design solutions within budgets or agile timelines, for award-winning projects
  • Designed strategies for measuring performance and results over time to inform continued client success 

Technical Skills:

representative talent profile

Instructional Designers

Position(s): Lead or supporting designer
Years of Instructional Experience: 3+
Number of Completed Projects: 15+

Key Skills: Instructional Design, Adult Learning Theories, eLearning Development, Learner Experience Design, Curriculum Development, Course Authoring, Writing, Learning Assessment

Media Skills: Simple graphic design using stock imagery, audio production

Strengths: Adaptability, Problem-Solving, Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, Technical Proficiency, Attention to Detail

Career Highlights:

  • Led the design and development of an onboarding program for new manufacturing employees
  • Scripted technical instructional content for high-tech, product knowledge training
  • Developed hybrid materials for both instructor-led training (ILT) and microlearning tutorials

Technical Skills: