What Is Microlearning?

By Emily Numa

Published Mar 31, 2023
Last Updated Dec 15, 2023
3 min read

A significant part of growing as a freelancer is committing to continuing professional development – the process of gaining and building on your professional skills. But if you’ve got a busy schedule full of work and other commitments, you’ll need to find an efficient study method.

Microlearning is a way of maximizing your time to get the most out of whatever you’re studying. But what exactly is microlearning? And how can you implement it into your study routine? Keep reading to find out more.

How Microlearning Works

Microlearning is a bite-sized approach to learning new material. Complex topics are broken down into easy-to-digest units designed to enable people to quickly absorb material in a short amount of time.

The idea is that learners will better understand information if it’s presented in a concise way that holds their attention. For example, microlearning activities could consist of short:

Videos
Audio recordings (such as a speech or short podcast)
Written material
Games or challenges
Micro-assessments

Microlearning can be presented in a variety of formats, but the key is that whatever methods are used, the learning presented is short and easy to understand.

The Benefits of Microlearning

Offering content through microlearning benefits education providers in several ways. For example, it’s less expensive to produce and faster to create. It also benefits learners, especially those with limited time to study. Many people find it to more engaging than traditional learning methods, and some research suggests that it even boosts knowledge retention.

It also provides much-needed flexibility for those with other commitments, such as work or family obligations. With microlearning methods, you don’t need to devote huge chunks of your day to studying – you can review the material whenever you have free time. And since microlearning course modules are short, they’re easy to download to a mobile device and use on the go.

Another advantage is that it’s very flexible in terms of different learning styles. The material can be presented in a variety of ways using a multimedia approach, such as videos or photos, to keep learners interested and engaged.

Is Microlearning Always the Best Option?

While microlearning is generally beneficial, it’s not ideal for all topics. For instance, if you’re studying a complex subject that requires a lot of careful examination, microlearning might not be the best fit. This style of learning provides a great overview of high-level material, but it may not be the best approach for in-depth instruction.

In addition, for some topics, the best way to learn is through in-person training, which isn’t really compatible with microlearning. It’s best suited for people who want to learn new material in a self-paced, interactive, flexible environment.

Knowadays Courses

If microlearning sounds like something you’d be interested in, consider a Knowadays course. We use a variety of microlearning techniques in our courses, such as interactive elements, information that’s divided into manageable sections, and short quizzes.

You can easily return to the material and review what you’ve learned – the courses are designed with flexibility in mind. Sign up for a free trial and see for yourself today!