The term “microlearning” has been buzzworthy for a while now. Its usefulness in the corporate learning world is quite remarkable. Bite-sized learning nuggets which are focused to meet a specific training outcome can take a shorter time span and can be easier to digest in a hectic work environment. At present, the employers have tried to widen the skill sets and knowledge base of their employees with microlearning. It is one of the most effective means of information acquisition enabling learners to recall the training at the time of application.
However, for microlearning to give more desirable results, it must continuously adapt to what individual employees know or do not know. It should work with an amalgamation of human nature and the latest technology to fill an employee’s knowledge gaps and target specific business challenges. This is known as adaptive microlearning. It is based on cognitive principles that show how small chunks of digestible learning, consumed continuously at intervals, aid knowledge to stay in the brain. It involves engaging tools such as quizzes, gamifications, etc. and is accessed through any smart device which the learner chooses. Now let us take a look at why it can be important to consider in a modern-day business world:
As we earlier discussed, adaptive microlearning is meant for the individual learner. The algorithms in this learning system offer personalized feedback and can change as per the learner’s responses. Even at the design stage, the content for this system is built for a learner based on his particular circumstances such as his/her location, age, job designation, department, responsibilities, and knowledge levels. There is always a baseline test which is taken at the commencement of the training so that the progress can be recorded, this personalization ensures that the learning is relevant.
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Learning paths are unique:
Each learner’s learning path is different. The data that the adaptive microlearning system collects from these learners is used to personalize their goals, learning content, and an effective learning path for each of them. This learning path is chosen when a learner completes several activities which allows him/her to build the knowledge progressively. Hence the organizations can utilize these paths to facilitate the employees to master the training of their choice in any way that they desire without having to enforce it.
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Removes unnecessary learning:
In a traditional employee training program, the learners are often bombarded with unnecessary information irrespective of the fact whether they will require it for their job or not, thereby leading to wastage of time. However, adaptive microlearning helps learners to focus on the areas or modules they are weak in and focus on strengthening those skills.
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Enhances learner’s confidence:
When learners can grasp the entire learning experience, they do not need to worry about missing out on certain information. The adaptive microlearning system will make them repeat such modules unless they have mastered it. This helps them to feel reassured and enhances their confidence in themselves. No trainer or instructor can put so much emphasis on individual learners, the way this system does.
Adaptive microlearning is helping global organizations achieve specific business goals and deliver results which contribute to their improvement. This kind of learning is individual-based, non-disruptive with everyday work routine, embeds continuous learning, and impacts employee’s performance and business results. The amount of promise that this system shows is enough to imply that it is going to stay in the industry for a substantial amount of time. It has already been used in many successful companies for employee development. Hence it is safe to assume that it will only continue to improve from this phase onwards since it is relatively a novel method of learning.
