Top 4 Ways Microlearning Beats Traditional Learning
Traditional learning structures under which you are forced to concentrate for prolonged periods are rapidly becoming outdated… and for good reason.
If you have not yet heard of microlearning, now is the time to listen up. Microlearning offers a modern spin on a mobile learning management framework, which not only is more effective in terms of the retention of new information and skill, but also fits into your own schedule. It is no coincidence the mound of textbooks on your bookshelf are compiling that much dust.
We’ve sifted through the copious amounts of information stored in the brains of learning specialists to pick out the top 4 ways microlearning beats traditional learning.
1. Increased retention of new knowledge, both short-term and long-term
Millennials have an attention span which is not much better than that of a goldfish, typically lasting approximately 90 seconds. You may wonder how much one could possibly learn in that 90 seconds, we can simply answer this with microlearning. After years of traditional studying (usually from 500-page textbooks), we don’t mean to alarm you but the human brain can only hold 3-5 pieces of new information at a time. A study conducted by researchers at Dresden University of Technology in Germany indicates that short content may increase information retention by 20%, despite our wandering attention spans. This is why the rise of bite-sized learning is ideal in the prevention of knowledge being overwritten, making it the perfect solution to a potential ‘cognitive overload’.
2. Information specifically tailored to the learner
The phasing out of traditional transmissive learning means employees can learn at their own pace, even in out of office hours and on weekends. Not only is this beneficial for employers as time no longer has to be set aside for training, but also for employees who have the ability to freely complete their mobile learning. This increases overall employee engagement.
3. The ability to update lessons with the most relevant information
Gone are the days of progressing through the slow, tedious process of updating course material to remain current in the industry. A significant limitation of regular eLearning is this inability to update information without spending money, consuming valuable time, and avoiding the involvement of a third-party. This can be solved through one of the benefits of microlearning, this being the advantage of adding or adjusting information into an existing lesson template. This way, course material remains current and knowledge of the ever-changing pace of business and adjustments in the market can be preserved.
4. The long-term benefits of spaced repetition
Spaced repetition is unique to microlearning platforms, as an essential tool in dictating the extent to which the learner retains new information. Spaced repetition is ineffective when used for large amounts of information, which is why it is key for the success of learning in chunks. Distributed practice features are in place, allowing a focus on the content that is found to be difficult through remembering previous answers.
Head here to find out the 4 golden rules of microlearning.
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Author
Guest Author Daniel Brown
Daniel Brown is a senior technical editor and writer that has worked in the education and technology sectors for two decades. Their background experience includes curriculum development and course book creation.