Engaging Micro-Learning: Solutions for a Distracted World
In today’s fast-paced digital world, staying engaged in learning is often a challenge. With digital distractions on the rise, traditional learning methods are becoming less effective, and companies are seeking innovative ways to engage their learners. Micro-learning, a method of delivering short, focused content, has emerged as a solution for digesting complex information in an age where our cognitive capacity remains unchanged.
Compelling Sources for Micro-Learning
There are several platforms that offer compelling and effective micro-learning experiences. Here are some of the best sources:
Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers bite-sized lessons across various subjects, making complex topics more accessible and easy to digest. Its structured content is designed to help learners build a strong foundation in a wide range of topics.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning provides short video courses on a wide range of professional topics, broken down into manageable segments. This makes it ideal for busy professionals who need to quickly acquire new skills or improve existing ones.
TED-Ed
TED-Ed features engaging short videos that explain concepts and ideas, often accompanied by questions to reinforce learning. These videos are an excellent way to introduce or deepen knowledge on any subject.
Duolingo
Duolingo utilizes gamified learning for languages, allowing users to practice in short, fun sessions. This makes language learning both enjoyable and engaging, fostering long-term retention.
Coursera and edX
Both Coursera and edX offer micro-courses that allow learners to focus on specific skills or topics in a condensed format. These platforms provide a variety of courses on different subjects, making it easy to find the content that best suits your needs.
YouTube Channels
Channels like CrashCourse and MinutePhysics provide quick, engaging overviews of subjects in a visually appealing way. These videos are great for off-line learning and can be easily accessed on various devices.
Quizlet
Quizlet offers flashcards and quizzes that help reinforce knowledge in a quick and interactive manner. This platform is perfect for test preparation and quick review sessions.
Podcasts
Short educational podcasts can provide insights and knowledge on specific topics, making them perfect for on-the-go learning. These audio-based learning materials are easily accessible and can be consumed during commutes or breaks.
Addressing the Problem of Digital Distraction
Today’s problem in learning is not just about engagement but also about digital distraction. In a world where the internet and digital devices have become ubiquitous, the amount of information available is immense. However, our cognitive capacity to digest it remains relatively fixed. This has led to a mismatch between the amount of information available and our ability to process it effectively.
Moreover, the rise of digital communication mediums like email, social media, and instant messaging apps has made it even more challenging to stay focused. A study by Russ Poldrack, a neuroscientist, found that learning information while multitasking causes the new information to go to the wrong part of the brain, specifically the striatum, which is specialized for storing new procedures and skills rather than facts and ideas. Without the distraction, the information goes into the hippocampus, where it is organized and categorized, making it easier to retrieve.
Another study by the University of Utah for AAA found that even if drivers disconnect from their phones or car systems, they continue to be distracted for up to 27 seconds after the interaction. This is because re-engaging the mind to the task of driving cannot happen instantly. When we see an email popup, it takes on average 48 seconds to return to the previous task. These findings highlight the duration of distraction and the difficulty of moving focus from one task to another efficiently.
Combining these studies, the digital age and the age of information overload complicate the task of presenting complex information to professionals who need to learn new skills. This complexity leads to long learning chunks, which are highly distractible. Additionally, our attention span is lower than it was just a decade ago. A study showed that the average human attention span was 12 seconds in 2000, and by 2015, it had decreased to 8 seconds, thanks to digital devices. This means that just simplifying and limiting a learning content to 4 minutes is not enough. We need to provide even shorter and more focused content to maintain attention and engagement.
Micro-Learning as a Solution
To address these challenges, companies and learners are turning to micro-learning. Micro-learning involves delivering short, focused content that is easily absorbed and remembered. This method is particularly effective for adults who have limited time and attention. Micro-learning content can be as short as 2 to 5 minutes and is often delivered in visually appealing formats such as motion graphics videos. These videos should be limited to 2 to 5 minutes, and each scene should not exceed 8 seconds. Combining storytelling metaphors and infographics enriches the video, making it more engaging and memorable.
Moreover, micro-learning videos are designed to be consumed on-the-go and can be accessed on various devices, including mobile phones. This is particularly useful for field employees who need to keep up with updates without being physically present at the office. Companies can use motion graphics videos to train employees on specific tasks or areas, ensuring that they receive timely and relevant information.
In conclusion, micro-learning offers a way to address the challenges of distraction and limited attention span. By leveraging the principles of micro-learning, companies can provide engaging and effective training solutions that meet the needs of their learners in the digital age.