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Looking to embrace microlearning in your 2026 L&D strategy? Before you start designing individual moments, you need to consider exactly how you’re going to relay what learners need to know.
Engagement is central to effective microlearning; it’s all about creating bite-sized, focused content that supports a wider learning journey. Rather than dense, lengthy courses, this approach breaks learning down into clear moments, with opportunities to reinforce and practise over time.
So what formats work best, and when is short-form learning most effective? Below, we explore effective microlearning examples, along with guidance on how to use them successfully.
What makes a microlearning example effective?
While the format you choose is important, for microlearning to truly perform you first need to understand what defines a microlearning moment as ‘good’.
One learning moment = one idea only
Regardless of whether you’re using video, audio, images or text, the key to creating effective bite-sized content is only tackling one idea at a time.
For example, if you’re creating an eLearning journey around a specific product, small moments could focus on either key features or common support issues – rather than bundling them into the same module. This keeps micro moments focused and purposeful, without overwhelming the learner.
Build pathways that support reinforcement over time
Reinforcement is a core principle of microlearning. Digital learning content needs to engage initially, but it’s the follow-up that helps knowledge stick.
Review your existing microlearning pathways and identify opportunities to reinforce learning through timely prompts or reminders, bringing key information back into focus to support retention.
Make sure learning fits around busy schedules
When designing a microlearning moment, consider how it fits into an average working day. A quick coffee or tea break, for instance, can be transformed into a meaningful learning moment – without taking too much time away from an already demanding workload.
It’s not just about length; the delivery matters too. Scrollable, mobile-centred modules are effective in microlearning for a reason. People already spend a significant part of their day on their phones, so meet learners where they are, in a way that works for them. The aim is to make learning as easy as possible to slot into the day.
Microlearning examples: five tried-and-tested formats
If you’re wondering ‘what does microlearning look like?’, we’ve selected five proven formats to get you started.
1. Short-form videos
Short video content is now a staple of everyday life. From TikTok and Instagram Reels to YouTube Shorts, short-form video has become a dominant way people consume information online. Using video in eLearning taps into these existing habits, making content feel more familiar and engaging.
It’s also an incredibly effective tool when it comes to knowledge retention; learners retain up to 95% of information when it’s delivered via video – in contrast to just 10% when via text.
Video production may seem expensive, not to mention time consuming. But it doesn’t have to be. AI-assisted authoring tools like Vyond offer a speedy, cost-effective way to create animated learning videos, with features that allow you to customise everything from your presenters’ tone of voice to props in the background.
Video works well for:
- Short tutorials or how-to guides
- Screen recordings
- Scenario-based videos that show real-world situations
2. Knowledge checks
What’s more engaging than asking learners to actively participate in the content they’re consuming? Whether it’s a multiple-choice quiz, a true-or-false flashcard, or a drag-and-drop activity, knowledge checks take learning from passive to practical.
Quizzes and gamified formats not only measure understanding, but they also give learners the opportunity to practise applying their new-found knowledge – which is crucial to a successful microlearning strategy.
When designing knowledge checks, place learners in familiar work-based situations and ask them to make choices. This helps them apply judgement, reinforce confidence and build capability – all within a matter of minutes.
Knowledge checks work well for:
- Reinforcing key concepts or behaviours
- Practising decision-making in realistic situations
- Checking understanding at regular points in a learning journey
3. Scrollable text modules
When it comes to retention, video comes up tops. However, text-based modules still have a place in microlearning – when done right.
The key is focus. Target one clear message and strip out anything non-essential, so it’s easy for learners to scan, understand and apply. This is where eLearning tools like Articulate Rise 360 work especially well, with scroll-based layouts that naturally support mobile-first design.
Text also plays an important reinforcement role. Used after a video, it helps lock in key points and clarify actions at the moment they’re needed.
Text modules work well for:
- Fast, in-the-moment guidance
- Locking in key messages after video or live learning
- Simple, mobile-first references learners can return to
4. Mini podcasts or audio clips
While video can be highly effective, audio offers something different. It creates learning moments that can easily slot into the day, without the need for attention on a screen. From a long commute to a short walk, audio gives people the freedom to engage with learning wherever they are, even when video isn’t a practical option.
When built into a learning pathway through short, repeatable chunks, audio helps build learning habits over time. A few minutes of regular listening keeps ideas fresh and supports ongoing eLearning without adding pressure or disruption.
Sound clips work well for:
- Learning on the move, when screens aren’t practical
- Reinforcing ideas through regular, low-effort touchpoints
- Sharing stories, perspectives and expert insight in a human way
5. Infographics and visual cues
Whether it’s an infographic, a simple diagram or a decision tree, visual cues are an effective way to break up scrollable text and highlight key information. They also support understanding, giving learners visual anchors they can quickly recognise and remember.
Relevance is critical. Every visual should earn its place by adding clarity, not just decoration. Remember, each minute of microlearning should clearly work towards your focused goal.
Visual cues work well for:
- Breaking up scrollable content – without distracting from the goal
- Explaining processes and frameworks at a glance
- Acting as quick visual anchors for learners to recall
How to choose the right microlearning examples
The best microlearning examples start with a simple question: what’s the learner dealing with in this moment? Understanding the reality of their working day makes it much easier to choose a format that helps, rather than distracts. Format isn’t just a creative choice – it plays a big role in whether learning feels useful at the time it’s needed.
That’s why variety matters. Different formats support different moments, and each plays its part over time. When you’re deliberate about how you combine them, microlearning stops feeling like a collection of standalone pieces and starts to work as a joined-up system that builds confidence and reinforces behaviour over time.
From Articulate Rise 360 to Vyond, discover the tools that can help you design effective microlearning. Get in touch to learn more or book a demo.