Workplace Microlearning: The Future of Employee Training

The Future of Employee Training

Microlearning in the workplace is an effective way to improve training by delivering short, focused modules that improve retention and reduce mental overload. With a 17% improvement in learning efficiency, it’s a cost-effective, scalable solution that’s perfect for today’s fast-paced workplace.

New Employees Need Microlearning

The workplace is evolving, and so are employee expectations. Today’s workers—especially the younger generations—often rely on faster, more engaging information that fits their busy schedules (and short attention spans). Traditional, long training sessions don’t taste like they used to. Instead, employees want something much simpler: microlearning.

What is Microlearning?

Microlearning is a learning method designed to deliver short, bite-sized lessons. We are talking about modules that work between 7 and 15 minutes, so that employees can learn and retain important information quickly, without feeling overwhelmed. Whether it’s improving the skills of individuals or improving the performance of the entire company, microlearning is proving to be the go-to strategy for organizations that want to move forward.

What Microlearning lacks

Microlearning isn’t just about paring down lessons or cutting them up into chunks. It’s about focusing content on the essentials that directly affect performance. Although it works well in conjunction with deep learning, its main goal is to help employees absorb important information more effectively by reducing cognitive load.

What is Microlearning Theory?

Microlearning theory comes from the work of Hermann Ebbinghaus, a German psychologist who studied how memory works. He created the “forgetting curve,” which shows how quickly people forget new information. Without regular review, most of us only remember about 21% of what we learned after a month.

Microlearning helps solve this by delivering knowledge in small, bite-sized lessons. By breaking content into short chunks and reviewing them frequently, students can remember more of what they learn. This “little and often” approach makes it easier to retain knowledge over time, helping students stay on top of new skills or knowledge.

Why Microlearning is the Future of On-the-Job Training

1. Microlearning is 17% Effective.

According to a study conducted in Journal of Applied Psychology (2017), breaking up lessons into bite-sized chunks increases learning efficiency by 17% [1]. It’s not just about shorter sessions—it’s about better retention. Microlearning combats cognitive overload, making it easier for employees to transfer what they’ve learned to the workplace. The result? Superior knowledge retention and rapid application of skills.

2. Inexpensive and Scalable

Microlearning isn’t just fast — it’s cheap. Short modules are faster and less expensive to develop. And, since they are often delivered online or through apps, companies save on travel, trainers, and classroom costs.

3. Supports In-Time Learning

Microlearning works well in Just-In-Time (JIT) learning. Whether employees need a quick refresher before starting a new job or reviewing safety regulations on the go, a little reading provides exactly what they need when they need it.

4. Friendly Learning on the Go

Given the rise of remote work, employees need training that fits their lifestyle. Microlearning is inherently user-friendly, making it easy for your team to access training on their phones, whether they’re at work or at home.

5. Closes Skills Gaps Fast

The pace of change in the workplace, especially after the pandemic, has created a skills gap in many industries. Microlearning helps close those gaps quickly, allowing employees to acquire new skills and apply them quickly, ensuring that businesses remain competitive.

How Microlearning Increases Local Performance

Microlearning doesn’t just improve efficiency—it delivers real results. Here’s how:

1. Better information retention
   By delivering content in small, spaced chunks, microreading helps employees retain information longer. No more forgetting important points a week after the training session.
2. High engagement
   The short, interactive nature of microlearning makes learning more enjoyable. Employees remain motivated and more likely to complete their training.
3. Increased productivity
   Less training time means more time on the job. Employees can immediately apply what they have learned without the long interruptions caused by traditional training

Digital Platforms Enable Microlearning Success

For micro education to work well, the right digital platform is essential. Tools can provide a personalized, interactive experience that keeps employees engaged. Features like the ones listed below help:

1. Flip-flops
   For weekly reminders to reinforce important lessons.
2. Error anticipation modules
   Help employees learn to avoid common mistakes.
3. Mobile accessibility
   Ensuring that learning can happen anywhere, anytime.

Platforms don’t just deliver content—they track progress, provide feedback, and ensure a consistent learning experience for everyone.

Conclusion: The Future is Small

As the workplace evolves, so must training. Microlearning is the flexible, effective, and cost-effective solution that today’s workforce needs. With research backing its 17% improvement in efficiency and better retention rates, reading less isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. Ready to see what microlearning can do for your team?

References:

[1] How Training and Development Departments Are Changing Their Focus to Make Learning Fit for the 21st Century