You have probably heard the term microlearning many times. But how can you actually translate the method into a course? We give you practical tips and show you how to implement it using a real example!
The Ultimate Microlearning Guide for Online Courses
Get started with your own microlearning course! In our new guide, you will learn step-by-step how to build your own online course in a microlearning style. With plenty of helpful tips, tricks, and examples.
Just a quick reminder: Microlearning describes learning in small bite-sized chunks. The method aims to simplify the learning process by dividing the content into small learning units. This increases course participants' motivation – and consequently their learning success!
That's all well and good – you have certainly heard the definition before. But do you know how to use microlearning for your employees' professional development? In the following, we will show you how easy it is to implement microlearning and what you should keep in mind using a real-life sample course.
Foundation: What makes good content for microlearning?
Learning content in the spirit of the microlearning method should meet the following four characteristics:
Good microcontent is…
simple and accessible from any device.
individually tailored to your participants.
precise and gets information straight to the point.
part of a larger learning concept.
You should always keep these characteristics in mind when creating learning content. Precision and simplicity are the keys to learning success!
Another advantage of this structure lies in its quick repeatability. Short learning units can be accessed again at any time, allowing participants to review content in a targeted manner. This strengthens learning transfer and helps to anchor knowledge in the long term.
Another reading tip for you: 3 Rules for Creating Learning Chunks
Good content also needs suitable media to achieve the desired learning effect. Because not every piece of content is suitable for every medium. For example, you should not present processes as text, but rather rely on videos or task simulations.
These media and methods are well suited for microlearning content:
Infographics present information clearly and more simply.
Quizzes are suitable for testing and reviewing learning content.
Videos under 3 minutes in length are suitable for short attention spans.
playful learning content, e.g., through gamification, arouses the drive to play.
Practical examples and real-world scenarios connect theory and practice.
Simulated tasks place the learner in a real-life learning environment.
Tip: If your content is more extensive after all, you can easily divide it into several learning units!
Learning units true to the microlearning method: simply divide content into multiple pieces.
Of course, you do not have to limit yourself to one medium, because most can be easily combined with each other. Before we start with the example, we have another piece of advice for you.
5 Tips for your microlearning course
1. Each learning unit should always contain only one core message:
If the content you want to convey is more extensive, divide it into several small units. Otherwise, your participants' attention will suffer.
2. The processing time for each learning unit should not exceed two minutes:
“A blink should be a maximum of two minutes long. Some trainers also use five minutes as a limit, but based on our experience, two minutes is better. More than two minutes is no longer fun for me as a participant and does not keep my attention.” – Konstantin, founder of blink.it.
3. The chosen medium should match your learning units:
To convey information quickly, videos, graphics, or quizzes are particularly useful. To make sure your statements are precise, the speaker's clock (a tool to structure videos in 60 seconds) is a great support. You should limit quizzes to three or four short questions, but you can include them more frequently in your course.
4. Test your online course before passing it on to your participants:
When your course is ready, you should check how long the processing time actually is. Either go through the course yourself once, or find a “test learner.” Time it and gather external feedback as well.
5. Do not publish your learning content all at once:
In order not to overwhelm your course participants, you should unlock your learning content sequentially. Time your chapters and publish short learning units regularly rather than overwhelming participants with a complete course.
Now we can start with the example:
In Practice: This is what your microlearning online course can look like
Step 1: The introduction
For a friendly introduction, you should greet your participants in advance and announce the intended learning objective. A short introductory video is perfect for this, in which you explain what your course has in store for them. This should not be too long and should build excitement for the upcoming course.
In an additional learning unit, you can summarize the learning objective or a rough schedule in bullet points. And just like that, you are ready to start with your online course in microlearning format!
Own Illustration 1: Sample course for your microlearning / Introduction and greeting
Step 2: Putting the learning chunks together
Afterwards, you can start with your first learning unit. Combine different media with each other for each topic. Each unit should be as short as possible and convey only one core message.
End the chapter with a short quiz with a maximum of 2-4 questions (depending on the number of learning units before it). This allows participants to test for themselves whether they have really understood the content. You can apply this structure to any number of chapters and topics!
Basic structure: Content - Content - Content - Quiz
Own Illustration 2: Sample course for your microlearning / Combining media and incorporating quizzes
Step 3: Timing and completion
To prevent your course participants from being overwhelmed by the quantity of learning units, you should unlock them gradually. Depending on the possibilities your software offers, you can, for example, unlock the content directly one after another or at specific times. This also ensures that participants work through the learning units in the correct order and do not skip any topics.
For the successful completion of your online course, a short exam is useful. This allows you to see if your participants have successfully completed your course. After passing the test, you can issue them a certificate confirming their participation. This also contributes to motivation during the learning process!
Own Illustration 3: Sample course for your microlearning / Final exam at the end of the course
Overview: The finished course
An online course based on the microlearning method therefore consists of many small, very precise learning units. How extensive the entire course should be depends on you and the content you want to convey. So, if you combine different media with each other, your complete online course could look something like this – of course, you can also add more chapters:
Own Illustration 4: Sample course for your microlearning / Your finished course
Conclusion
Microlearning works particularly well when learning content is consistently structured into short, clearly defined units that are easy to consume and can be reviewed at any time.
Building a microlearning course is less complicated than many think. The most crucial factor is that each learning unit conveys a clear core message and focuses on the essentials. Small learning chunks help to keep the attention and motivation of course participants high.
If you additionally combine different media, such as videos, quizzes, or graphics, a varied learning process is created. Short units are also easier to integrate into daily routines and ensure that knowledge is built up step-by-step.
With a clear structure consisting of an introduction, several short learning units, and a final test, you create a microlearning course that efficiently conveys knowledge while fitting well into the daily learning routine of your participants.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What is microlearning?
Microlearning delivers knowledge in short, clearly defined learning units. Each unit focuses on a core message and can be quickly completed and reviewed.
How long should a microlearning unit be?
Microlearning units should be as short as possible. The article recommends a completion time of about two minutes per learning unit.
What content is suitable for a microlearning course?
Suitable content includes short videos, infographics, quizzes, practical examples, and simulated tasks. Crucially, the chosen format must match the respective core message.
How do I build a microlearning course?
A sensible structure begins with a short introduction and the learning objective. This is followed by several small learning units using different media and short quizzes. An exam can form the conclusion.
Why is microlearning suitable for professional development in companies?
Short learning units can be easily integrated into daily work routines and reviewed in a targeted manner. This allows employees to build up knowledge step-by-step and recall it again as needed.
