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In today’s fast-paced business world, keeping employees up to date on new policies, tools, and industry trends is essential. But finding the time for continuous learning while keeping up with daily tasks can be challenging. Enter microlearning—a modern approach that breaks down content into short, focused bursts of information that employees can absorb quickly and effectively, without disrupting their workflow.
According to LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report, 74% of employees want to learn at their own pace, and microlearning caters directly to that demand. Microlearning allows employees to consume information on demand—whether they’re working remotely or in the office—so they can fit learning into the natural flow of their day. This adaptability makes microlearning a powerful tool for employee development, from skill-building to compliance.
Why Microlearning Works: Scientific Proof
The science behind microlearning comes from an understanding of how the brain processes information. In 1956, psychologist George A. Miller introduced the concept in his paper “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information.” His research showed that our brain can comfortably hold about 7 pieces of information at a time. This is why breaking complex data into smaller, manageable bits makes learning more efficient and effective.
Whether it’s onboarding videos, policy overview videos, or short educational modules, microlearning leverages our brain’s natural ability to handle small bits of information. By delivering content in brief, engaging formats, employees can retain and recall it better, fitting learning into their busy schedules without overwhelming them.
Real-World Success: Microlearning in Action
The success of microlearning is more than just theory. Leading companies like Bosch and At Home have reported impressive results after switching to microlearning-based training strategies. For Bosch, microlearning helped cut long, in-person training sessions into small, digestible lessons that employees could engage with on their own time. At Home managed to reduce onboarding time by 90%, while also lowering safety incidents and boosting employee engagement.
KGO’s Unique Microlearning Approach
At KGO, we’ve found our own way to make microlearning both effective and fun. Every other Friday, our Project Management team hosts short, educational presentations during our weekly calls. Each team member shares their expertise on a particular topic, whether it’s time management tips, project scheduling best practices, or risk management strategies. These sessions aren’t just informative—they’re interactive and often involve quizzes or real-world scenarios that keep the learning experience lively and engaging.
This method has become a staple in our learning culture, offering a fun, informal way to continuously share knowledge without taking up too much time. It’s just one example of how microlearning can be implemented in a company setting, helping employees stay sharp, engaged, and always learning.
Implementing Microlearning Across Your Company
Microlearning isn’t just for project management—it’s a flexible learning strategy that can benefit employees across all departments. Here’s how you can introduce microlearning into your company:
Replace lengthy orientation sessions with short, engaging onboarding videos. New hires can watch a series of 5-10 minute clips that introduce the company culture, key policies, and job expectations. This makes the onboarding process more digestible and less time-consuming.
Instead of sending out long policy documents, break them into short overview videos or infographics that highlight the key points. This makes it easier for employees to absorb and refer back to important information.
Whether it’s training on new tools or updates on industry trends, creating short, focused video lessons allows employees to learn at their own pace. For example, a 10-minute video on the latest project management software or a 5-minute explainer on workplace safety can go a long way in keeping everyone informed without taking up too much time.
Instead of annual compliance sessions, consider breaking up compliance training into smaller, more frequent modules. Employees can complete these mini-lessons on their own schedule, making it easier to stay up-to-date with necessary requirements.
Here are some easy ways to get started:
Audit Existing Content: Take stock of your current training materials. Are there long videos or presentations that could be broken into shorter, more digestible sections? Start by identifying which parts can be repurposed into microlearning modules.
Choose the Right Platforms: There are many microlearning platforms out there, such as GoSkills, Axonify, and EduMe, which allow you to create, share, and track learning content. These platforms often come with features like quizzes, polls, and mobile access, making it easy to keep employees engaged.
Focus on Accessibility: Ensure that your microlearning content is accessible across devices. Employees should be able to watch a quick onboarding video or take a compliance quiz from their phone, tablet, or computer, making learning easy to integrate into their day.
Best Practices for Effective Microlearning
To get the most out of microlearning, follow these best practices:
- Keep it Focused: Each microlearning module should cover a single topic. Avoid overwhelming your employees with too much information at once.
- Make it Interactive: Engage employees with quizzes, polls, or scenarios that make the learning experience more immersive and fun.
- Gather Feedback: Continuously improve your microlearning content by getting feedback from employees on what’s working and what could be better.
Start Small, Think Big
Microlearning offers a practical, efficient way for companies to deliver training and updates in manageable pieces. Whether it’s onboarding new hires or keeping your team up-to-date with the latest tools, microlearning can seamlessly fit into your company’s routine and foster continuous learning.
So, why not start small? Audit your existing content, break it down into micro-sized lessons, and watch your team’s engagement and knowledge retention soar.
Interested in more suggestions for your workplace?
Our Strategy and Consulting team can help!