What is the role of microlearning in a blended learning approach?

Out of necessity, during Covid, most companies and learning institutions turned to remote working and remote learning to keep things on track as much as possible. Now that people are returning to public spaces (workplaces, classrooms, etc.), it might be tempting to go back to old learning habits.

The data already suggests that organizations should take notes from their learning experiences during the pandemic and use more microlearning and blended learning approaches as they move forward.

Blended learners outperform

A study of medical students measured the outcomes of three groups: blended, e-learning, and face-to-face. The data showed that the blended group performed significantly better.

Microlearning overlaps mobile learning

Strictly speaking, ‘microlearning’ refers to short educational or training segments. Examples include watching a short video, reading a short text, or answering a short quiz. Notice the repetition of the word ‘short’. Ideally, micro-input lasts less than 15 minutes, with 5-7 being a sweet spot. Many microlearning segments can be done on a mobile phone, especially when using a mobile-first LMS such as SC Training (formerly EdApp). 

There are also additional learning methods where learners can work on micro-tasks via other digital devices or using ‘old school’ methods. For example, trainees could watch a 5-minute video about how to assemble a tool. Then they could do hands-on practice in the workshop.

Blend microlearning with instructor-led or face-to-face training approaches

Despite its many benefits (and there are many!), microlearning has its limitations. It appears that microlearning is not suitable for complex and complicated material and requires detailed explanation. When a material is presented in small doses, the larger picture can get lost. Also, some things cannot effectively be reduced to short segments. This is especially true when the training involves a procedure with many interrelated steps. Think of an open heart operation for example. It needs to be taught and practiced in person.

The role of microlearning

Microlearning can be used to do the basic presentation and repetitive drilling of information, which is much needed in many educational and training areas. Often, these tasks are boring for both the trainer and trainee. However, through an interactive mobile format, they become a lot more motivating.

Here are concrete ways in which microlearning can enhance your blended learning approach. All the suggestions below are short, mobile-based, training segments. Trainees can review this content as often as they wish since it is available to them on their phones 24/7.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert in microlearning to create these mini lessons.

Vocabulary

No matter the topic or training, there is key vocabulary that your trainees must know.

Many words can be explained by a picture.

An LMS such as SC Training (formerly EdApp) offers several image-text templates. The images are interactive, so trainees can zoom in to get a closer look. There is also a left-to-right slide bar, so trainees can move back and forth between two image-text options. This is perfect for items that look very similar such as wine glasses or types of screws.

Sequencing: vocabulary +

Putting words or phrases in order involves several levels. First, learners need to know what the words/phrases mean. Second, they need to understand the content behind them.

For instance, they are given a list of job titles and asked to put them in order of the company grievance procedure. In other words, who do they go to first if they have an issue? Then who? And so on. Not only do learners need to understand the job titles, they need to also know what the grievance procedure is.

Chat template

Often, especially in customer service, there is the preferred answer. The SC Training (formerly EdApp) chat template allows trainees to pick the most appropriate response in a situation – using speech bubbles. Drilling in this way increases the chances that your team members are going to know the right answer by heart, so they can say it when needed.

Facts with figures

Even if numbers are not a big part of your usual training material, they often take on more importance when workers are testing for accreditation or certificates. SC Training (formerly EdApp) has a variety of interesting number-based templates. 

Adjust the number

Through this microlearning template, trainees can simply rotate the dial to adjust and enter the correct number from within an evenly distributed range. 

More or less?

Another option is a number-sentence template. For example, trainees see a sentence such as “Frozen food must be kept at a minimum of -10° F.” They can use arrows to increase/decrease the figure to the correct answer. 

Show the relationship

The ratio template is great for numbers that have a relationship to one another. For example: “When making a bleach solution for a minor biological spill, I should use [bleach x ml] to water [x ml]. The trainee can move a bar to choose the correct amounts.

Join SC Training (formerly EdApp) and begin your microlearning and blended learning journey for free!