Microlearning: Is Bitesize the Future?

The challenges of online learning can be detrimental to a learner’s capability to learn. Motivation, cognitive overload, time management and the feeling of isolation are just some of the most significant challenges online learners face. With the rise in poor concentration levels, as seen in schools and the commercial world, educational facilities and businesses must overcome these challenges to ensure continued development and competence.

So, the big question is: What can we do to ensure learning takes place?

Microlearning may be the answer. Ultimately, it is a learning strategy to educate its learners in brief and short methodologies. Retaining the concentration of the user in fun, active ways. Although this strategy is not new, educators have used it for years; modern technology allows microteaching to be implemented in a variety of ways that can benefit employers and their staff with their CPD targets—potentially improving the quality of employee development activities.

In the wake of lockdown, the average session times have decreased from 20 minutes to just over four minutes. Therefore, new learning strategies must be employed to ensure that we continue to learn.

The benefits of microlearning can include:

1. Faster delivery of information
2. Greater affordability
3. Flexible learning schedules
4. Better learner engagement.
5. Boosts knowledge retention, and
6. Gives learners more freedom

Microlearning does have its limitations, chiefly:

1. It is not ideal for complex concepts
2. It is not suited for in-depth training

Additionally, short bursts of learning can help learners retain information. Microlearning has the potential to make learning fun; learners learn best when having fun. Nevertheless, the limitations of microlearning cannot be ignored. It is not suitable for in-depth or complex concepts, as a result, utilise the teaching methodology accordingly.