Microlearning: Why video is your best friend

What is Microlearning?

Microlearning is defined as short learning bursts – easy to consume content that helps to showcase key information quickly.

But it’s not a new thing. Many of us will likely use microlearning in our day-to-day lives without even realising it. Whether it’s watching DIY hacks, overhead recipe videos or hairstyle how tos, these are all examples of Microlearning… and all in the form of videos.

Donald Taylor, author, chairman of the Learning and Performance Institute and the Learning Technologies Conference, described microlearning as:

“Learning from content accessed in short bursts, content which is relevant to the individual, and repeated over time to ensure retention and build conceptual understanding.”

These short bursts of learning are easy to consume and perfectly suited to way the learners, and people in general, are no using technology.

Why microlearning and video go hand in hand

Video is one of the most popular forms of microlearning, which should come as no surprise. As seen from the likes of Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, the way in which we share stories and information is getting shorter and shorter.

But this can also have benefits when it comes to business and particular eLearning.

1. It’s affordable – A short to-the-point training video can be cheaper to produce than a full-length piece of eLearning content.
2. It’s quick to create – A microlearning video can be as short as 2 minutes long, resulting in less production time.
3. And quicker to update – Need to make an edit or addition? It’s much quicker for a shorter video.
4. It gets straight to the point – There’s less fluff, with only the most important information required.

eLearning tools like Vyond are specifically designed to help you create these kind of videos. Putting mobile first, with the aim of keeping the attention of today’s digital professionals.

Creating microlearning videos

If you decide that making a microlearning video is something you wish to create, start by thinking about:

• What your video is trying to teach
• Who the video is aimed at (age range, gender etc. of your audience)
• How you’re able to measure learning, if needed
• Whether the video is a standalone piece or part of a bigger picture. Are there going to be other videos needed as part of the package?

For the next step, consider the scope of your build:

• Do you have a deadline?
• What’s the budget?
• How long will your video last?
• Do you (or your company) have the skills required to make your video? Perhaps you are planning on outsourcing specific stages of the process?

Once all the background details have been gathered, you can start to get creative with your story:

• Are you including scenarios in your video?
• How is your message going to be communicated? Perhaps you want to use characters to help with this
• Are you including audio or background sound?
• Do you want your video to contain interactivity for the learner?

Top tips for microlearning videos

You’ve now completed your plan and are ready to get started with creating your video – it’s time to get scripting!

Remember that time is of the essence. As your video is going to be short, it should keep to a strict story in order to be effective: try not to stray too far from your main objective.

Before you create your microlearning videos, I will give you these three tips:

1. Use the narration of your video to complement your visuals

You might decide that you want your characters to tell the story through audio or maybe the narrative is conveyed through images only. If that’s the case, are you planning to add background music?

2. There’s no need to include lengthy introductions or conclusions – the title of your video should make it clear what’s going to be covered and will be short enough that if information needs to be repeated the user can just re-watch the video
3. You want your learner involved in the story – when your video finishes the ideal outcome is for them to be looking for the next instalment or to put what they’ve learnt into practice immediately

Want to create your own microlearning videos? Try Vyond!

Today’s learners need more than printouts and PowerPoint presentations. They need active, dynamic content that keeps them engaged. Make learning come alive with Vyond. Learn more about Vyond and download your free trial here.