The Dynamic Duo Of Modern Learning: How Microlearning Enhances The LMS
In the world of corporate development, Learning Management Systems (LMS) are indispensable tools in the learning ecosystem, allowing training teams to manage and deliver online content to their employees. In fact, the LMS market is expected to grow from $16.19B to $40.95B by 2029. However, this traditional approach of long-form eLearning courses leaves much to be desired in terms of building and measuring actual knowledge retention. So how does microlearning enhance the LMS?
Microlearning delivers learning content in short, bite-sized nuggets, focusing on the key concepts from longer training events, such as those in the LMS. This learner-centric approach is used to both test and build knowledge and skills. It also generates actionable analytics that training teams and the organization can actually use in a strategic way.
Let’s look at why microlearning is gaining popularity and how it makes the LMS more valuable.
Microlearning Is A Safety Net For The LMS
Microlearning addresses the problem of information overload, which is an all too familiar concept among training teams today. Learners can easily get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of information presented in long-form eLearning courses, causing them to miss key concepts and disengage from training.
It delivers content in small doses, making it easier for learners to digest and retain the information. So, in the event that learners weren’t paying attention during an eLearning course, following up with microlearning questions pinpoint those knowledge gaps and correct them. In fact, Qstream’s spaced repetition delivers microlearning questions at a cadence that is proven to increase long-term knowledge retention by up to 170%.
Microlearning Satisfies Learner Preferences
Millennials and Gen Z account for almost 60% of the workforce today. These tech savvy groups grew up with access to information where and when it’s needed. Corporate learning should be no exception. Microlearning fits the modern learner’s shorter attention span and delivers training at the speed these learners have grown accustomed to.
As far as the rest of your workforce goes, it’s widely cited that learners tend to lose focus after about 10-15 minutes of continuous learning. Microlearning delivers content in small, bite-sized chunks, making it easier for learners to stay engaged and focused. The best microlearning solutions can be completed in 2-3 minutes a day. This is especially important in today’s digitally distracted world, where attention spans are shrinking.
Qstream’s microlearning challenges also keep employees productive. Learners can access microlearning content on any device, at any time and from anywhere, making it easier for them to fit learning into their busy schedules. Many choose to answer questions during a break or when they are arriving at or leaving work. The top solutions today use game mechanics to keep learners coming back for more. Qstream’s team and individual leaderboards keep learners engaged and allow them to assess their progress.
Microlearning Communicates & Embeds The Organization’s Priorities
After completing an LMS course, you might say to yourself: that was a lot of information but what are the key takeaways that I should apply in my work? Since it’s impossible to remember an hour or two’s worth of content, microlearning signals to learners the critical concepts, which ideally map to organizational KPIs.
For example, a goal might be to increase customer satisfaction and retention. You roll out an informational online course to teach learners soft skills. As a follow-up, you would pull out the highlights of the course and use scenario-based questions to build the skills needed to approach real-life customer situations. This creates transparency and accountability around how the organization expects employees to respond during common customer interactions.
Microlearning Provides Holistic, Valuable Learning Program Analytics
And finally, microlearning analytics offer several benefits. Platforms like Qstream share real-time proficiency data so organizations can quickly identify and correct knowledge gaps. Such data is used by high-risk industries like pharma and healthcare where people’s lives are at stake. This is a step (or several) above the analytics the typical LMS offers, which are mainly completion rates and post-course assessments. Microlearning measures what is remembered weeks and even months down the line.
In this way, Qstream doesn’t just show you how well learners are performing in that microlearning challenge, but the effectiveness of all of the training programs that came before on a particular topic. Training teams can use this holistic data to guide decisions on future training program investments and even report success metrics to leadership, giving them a seat at the table in strategic conversations.
As technology continues to advance, we can expect microlearning to become even more prevalent in the world of eLearning and online training. But, in the true spirit of microlearning, what’s the key takeaway from this blog post? When used in combination with an LMS (and the entire learning ecosystem), microlearning can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of training programs by boosting learner engagement, increasing knowledge retention and proficiency, and generating actionable analytics.
Be sure to check out our infographic for more information and data on this topic >
