Creating Microlearning Videos for eLearning and the Tips You Need to Know

What Are Microlearning Videos

Microlearning is a type of on-demand learning tool. As a learner, you can access the information you need, when you need it, and in the germane context. As a teacher or employee course supplier, you can offer microlearning to staff in order to help them improve their knowledge and/or skills. Keeping in mind that human beings are predominantly visual learners, microlearning videos have proven to be extremely popular, efficient, and successful.

So, what are microlearning videos? Delivering bite-sized information means giving out a concentrated, clear and specific instruction but with the highest amount of meaning and value. Thus, microlearning videos are often timed between thirty seconds to one minute long to provide the learner with short bursts of data that they can easily understand and incorporate into their long-term memory. They will then be more apt at recalling, using, and passing on this new information.

Benefits of Including Microlearning Videos in Employee Training

1. Increased Learner Engagement

Depending on the subject matter, learners can consider a course more or less interesting. Microlearning, in general, helps narrow the focus of individuals to specific chunks of information that is actually useful in their day to day jobs, helping to capture their attention regardless of the subject. Microlearning videos, in particular, are easier to digest, assimilate, and help employee learners stay with the lesson at hand. This is simply due to the fact that learners prefer video content compared to reading.

2. Higher Retention Rates

As mentioned, learners reach a higher retention rate when using their visual learning skills. When engaged in a microlearning video snippet, the learner uses different sensory inputs to retain and solidify new information. Viewing and listening, together with note-taking, form a powerful learning triad that helps our short-term memory commit new information into long-term memory.

3. Better On-the-Job Application

Microlearning snippets can either be stand-alone pieces of information or part of a learning module or course. This content delivery type is so efficient, easily accepted by learners, and delivers a high learner success rate. This is because the microlearning video, info-chunk, or course is immediately useful to learners in their day to day task completion endeavors.

4. Faster Development and Deployment

Microlearning training programs can be developed and deployed faster than other employee training programs. Once you lay the groundwork on the specific chunks of info employees need, you can start building up from there. The best part is that microlearning modules are highly customizable according to employee needs and knowledge gaps.

5. Cross-Platform Implementation

Today's hard workers sit a lot. So much so that back pain is inevitable when you're working while sitting for extended periods of time. This is not the only reason, but a pretty powerful one for implementing microlearning videos into your employee training efforts. You want your employees to stay healthy and productive, so offering them learning opportunities across multiple platforms is one way you can provide that. Learners will be able to learn on the go, during their commute, at home, and even while exercising.

Tips to Create Microlearning Videos

Using microlearning videos in eLearning will help employees stay focused, learn more and retain that knowledge better. So here are our tips for creating microlearning videos that work:

1. Keep it Simple

Remember, microlearning videos are meant to deliver concise, concrete and highly useful bits of info that can help increase employee performance daily. If your topic needs further detailing simply create additional videos that explain the rest of the concepts related to the main theme.

2. Storyboard it

Having a plan is a necessity. A storyboard is like a mindmap, or a blueprint for figuring out how the different bits of information fit together, what order they should be in, and their relevance. Doing this first will lay out the work ahead and make it easier to keep each microlearning video centered on its topic.

3. Correlate Audio with Video

Since a lot of the learning will be visual and auditory, it is worth streamlining your content for audio-visual excellence. Make sure your visuals do not distract the learner and instead complement the content provided. Also, your audio bits need to support the visuals.

4. Keep it Focused

Be careful not to stray from the point you are trying to make. Although good visuals and supporting audio are important, you are not trying to win an Oscar Award. Focus on functionality and avoid unneeded visual fluff.

5. Use the Appropriate Tools

Not all tools are created equal, and your company's needs can differ greatly from what other organizations require. The best eLearning authoring tool will be easy and enjoyable to use and will help you create the right type of microlearning videos for your intended purposes.

6. Add Extras

Ensure the subject matter doesn't get too dry by providing your learners with extra information to complement what your microlearning module is trying to teach them. Reach out to reputable sources and find interesting articles or blog posts that support your point. Extra microlearning videos are also acceptable.

Examples of Microlearning Videos

Checkers Drive-Thru Drama Customer Service Training

Checkers Drive-Thru started an initiative for recovering unsatisfied customers. Designing Digitally was charged with organizing microlearning videos on the topic so that they relate to each other and the user's experience. They also had to design engaging and interesting learner interactions. Due to the fact that most Checkers employees are aged between 16 to 24 the best course of action was to create a learning module that emulated a social media environment.

You can read more about this employee training development here.

Jack and Jill Go Up the Corporate Hill

Here's another taste of how microlearning videos can be used to successfully deliver important training information to employee training strategy. This “Jack and Jill Go up the Corporate Hill” video offers valuable information, in a fun, entertaining way, that is not too overwhelming for learners. Additionally, the visual display with the data, increases understanding, and better demonstrates the message. 

Conclusion

Microlearning videos are an effective tool for employee training that aims at delivering on-demand, just-in-time, and useful bite-sized information for your staff. Learn more about the impact of microlearning videos in eLearning and how they can benefit your entire organization by visiting our rich resources webpage.