With complicated learning units, you waste time and money: If your participants are bored or do not understand the content, you can save yourself the effort. Therefore, Learning Nuggets based on the Microlearning principle are THE method for sustainable learning. Read in the article how to think big in small ways.
What are Learning Nuggets
A Learning Nugget is a small learning unit. The focus is 100% on one topic or message. Similar to an elevator pitch, a Learning Nugget should convey a single statement as compactly and understandably as possible. To ensure long-term learning success, a Learning Nugget should also be attractively structured to encourage further exploration.
In short, the following applies to a Learning Nugget:
a short learning unit
many formats possible (text/image/quiz/video, etc.)
conveys a single statement
is clear and understandable
sparks interest in the topic
ends with a call to action (Call-to-Action)
If you use many Learning Nuggets in succession, you should also pay attention to the following:
Establish a connection to the previous Learning Nugget.
Refer to the next Learning Nugget.
Group related Learning Nuggets into chapters.
Vary the format (text/image/quiz/video).
Why is a learning unit called a Learning Nugget?
In German, we use the term mainly for small chicken pieces (chicken nuggets). Originally, a nugget is a small lump of pure gold. Either way, a nugget is primarily one thing: small! For application in e-learning, the analogy to chicken pieces fits, as your learning units should be as tasty as possible (to be taken with a wink). And the gold analogy fits insofar as your learning units contain valuable messages.
This is what we picture when we think of nuggets: chicken pieces and gold nuggets. Both share one thing: They are small pieces of a larger whole.
How short can a Learning Nugget be?
In principle, a Learning Nugget should be as short as possible and as long as necessary. In the context of e-learning or blended learning, this means: Each nugget should be able to be fully grasped in a maximum of 2 minutes.
By the way: The learning platform blink.it consists of individual Blinks, which function just like a Learning Nugget. Read more about it in this article: What is a Blink? The 2-Minute Learning Concept
However, you should not scrupulously focus on a specific time. If you want to shorten existing learning content, rather ask yourself: What is the message you want to convey? You should be able to formulate each message in one sentence.
Rule of thumb: If you find multiple messages in a learning unit, you can create several Learning Nuggets from it.
A good Learning Nugget might look like this:
(2 sentences) Introduction from the previous topic / Learning Nugget
(2 sentences) Description of the problem
(1 sentence) Message
(2 sentences) Significance for the learner
(1 sentence) Call to Action: What should the learner do now?
You see: A total of eight sentences probably won't even fill two minutes. Do not orient yourself by the clock, but by introduction – message – call to action. This way, your Learning Nugget will automatically be as short as possible and as long as necessary!
Examples of Learning Nuggets
A Learning Nugget can have many formats. In addition to text or video, a mini-quiz or a part of a larger quiz is also possible. Or you let images speak for you and merely complement the image with a short call to action. The rule "Adapt the format to the goal" (and not vice versa) is particularly important for Learning Nuggets.
To give you illustrative examples of Learning Nuggets, I will next show you excerpts from the Rocket Pack – the blink.it card game for blended learning. It is based on the same Microlearning principle as Learning Nuggets and contains 40 methods on 40 cards.
Example 1: A Learning Nugget as an Image
This is what a Learning Nugget might look like that includes an image as the main content. Remember the components of a Learning Nugget: Introduction – Message – Call to Action.
Example 2: A Learning Nugget as a Quiz
This is what a Learning Nugget might look like that has the quiz format:
Example 3: A Learning Nugget as a Video
Finally, an example of a Learning Nugget in video format:
YOU create your Learning Nuggets!
Let’s take a little detour on the topic of Learning Nuggets: Do you use X (formerly Twitter)? The microblogging service X is based on the concept of short messages. This means: All messages are limited to 280 characters. Nevertheless, there are successful and unsuccessful tweets.
What I want to say is: Shortening alone is not enough. In all your "nugget messages", think about your audience: What do you want to say to them? How can they understand the message most easily? And how should they deal with the message (Call-to-Action)?
3 ultimate tips for using Learning Nuggets
To ensure this article fits the concept of Learning Nuggets, I would like to conclude with three concise tips. This is how you successfully implement Learning Nuggets in training:
The right learning platform
Practice, practice, practice
Get feedback
Tip 1: The right learning platform for Learning Nuggets
Not every learning platform is suitable for using Learning Nuggets. When choosing, ensure that you can create several short contents one after the other. Also, summarizing in chapters is very helpful for Learning Nuggets. Last but not least, a good customer success team supports you in keeping your learning content short and sustainable.
Tip 2: Practice, practice, practice
This tip is so obvious and at the same time particularly important: Creating Learning Nuggets also takes time and practice. Just start by shortening your content to messages. Then add the introduction and call to action. Afterwards, occupy yourself with something else for a while. And then take another look at your Learning Nugget with a clear head: Can you shorten it even more, is something missing? Plan several rounds for each Learning Nugget.
And remember: It is a high art to break down complex content simply!
Tip 3: Get feedback
In line with the previous tip: Get feedback from colleagues or friends! An outside perspective is extremely helpful. Does your counterpart understand what you want to say? Do they know what to do next? Especially with your first Learning Nuggets, we recommend showing them to several people before you use them in training. Ask specific questions: "What is the message you derive?" or "What would you do immediately afterwards?" – this way, you test your Learning Nugget against the points mentioned above.
Now review your training: Do your contents consist of large, indigestible lumps – or small, tasty nuggets? 😉
We hope that this article gives you some useful information and inspiration, and we wish you continued success with your e-learnings!
