Going Beyond the Microlearning Fad Effect - Tip #161

When asked where Microlearning works and where it doesn't, we say Microlearning works best in the real world.

By tradition, most training and learning takes place in “recreated worlds,” where we attempt to replicate work conditions in artificial or suspended moments to allow training and learning to happen. Usually, they are pegged as events such as classroom workshops, eLearning, conferences, webinars, and the like.  These “event-type” training experiences are conditions away from work. Such settings are also associated with technologies and tools like an LMS and platforms, which support and deliver the learning events.

The “Real World” involves doing work in a live actual work environment. In this state, workers take needed actions to complete tasks, solve problems and improve results. The learning that happens are largely from experience, on-the-job (OJT), peer-to-peer coaching and sharing, problem solving, and similar approaches.  Much of our learning largely happens in the “real world”.

Chart 1: The Recreated World vs. Real World

Seekers prosper in the real world. Their ability to seek out solutions to problems yields results. Seeking answers is learning that is more evident because of the technical capacities to search and get instant answers from the web servers.

More recent trends have shown that businesses are under unparalleled levels of adoption on digital technologies. Deloitte (2017), Mckinsey (2017), and Bersin (2017) report that organizations are significantly slowing down purchases of LMSs, and are now looking for alternative solutions to help workers and learners learn faster, more effectively, and at reduced costs. If organizations are to succeed in their digital strategies they must enable their workers to learn faster and keep up with the pace. This new change is known as "Digital Learning." Its key approach is to help learners learn better and faster through work experiences while at work.

Microlearning - defined as  low effort, easy, fast, quick to apply and useful learning - presents an opportunity to respond to the “Real-World” needs for rapid problem-solving and learning in the front-line. We need to focus on this understanding of Microlearning instead of looking at it as another content design and delivery principle or method. If we persist on thinking of Microlearning as a content, we will eventually push it aside and dismiss it as another fad.

Conclusion

We define Microlearning as low effort, easy, fast, quick to apply and useful learning. Microlearning is an approach that lends itself well in the “Real World” and in the new approach of “Digital Learning.”

References

Performance management The process is The Future of Corporate Learning - Ten Disruptive Trends
Bersin, J. (2016). Performance management The process is The Future of Corporate Learning - Ten Disruptive Trends.
The Disruption of Digital Learning: Ten Things We Have Learned
Bersin, J. (2017). The Disruption of Digital Learning: Ten Things We Have Learned.
Digital Learning: An Interview with David Kelly.
Jacobs, S. (2017). Digital Learning: An Interview with David Kelly.
Machine, Platform, Crowd: Harnessing Our Digital Future
McAfee, A. (2017). Machine, Platform, Crowd: Harnessing Our Digital Future. W. W. Norton & Company.

Ray Jimenez, PhD

Vignettes Learning

"Helping Learners Learn Their Way"