{"id":23798,"date":"2025-09-30T09:28:44","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T13:28:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/?p=23798"},"modified":"2025-10-01T08:17:41","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T12:17:41","slug":"microlearning-made-simple-what-it-is-and-how-to-do-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2025\/09\/30\/microlearning-made-simple-what-it-is-and-how-to-do-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Microlearning Made Simple: What It Is and How to Do It"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Microlearning is a pedagogy that works well in both in-person and online courses. While definitions of microlearning vary, there is at least some consensus on the benefits and how to approach it. At its core, microlearning delivers content in short, small chunks that can be accessed on demand. Other benefits include reduced cognitive load for students, better knowledge retention, improved learning outcomes, and student engagement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some tips for incorporating microlearning into your classes:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Focus on one objective or concept.<\/span><\/b> Determine the goal so you can structure the lesson and select the best medium given your objective.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Use one medium <\/span><\/b>(videos are the most common) <\/span>with multiple learning elements.<\/span><\/b> Examples of learning elements include visuals, audio, quizzes, slideshows, PDFs, and links. PowerPoint is a nice medium because you can include video, visuals, and link out to PDFs and quizzes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Keep it short and focused.<\/span><\/b> Research indicates 30 seconds to up to 15 minutes, and if you are using video, bear in mind that videos longer than 9 minutes result<\/span>s<\/span> in a drop in viewer attention.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Make it interactive. <\/span><\/b>E<\/span>nhance videos by embedding 1\u20132 quiz questions directly into them (for example, you can do this directly in Panopto), or by using slides that prompt students to guess an answer, then click to reveal the correct response on the following slide.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    It\u2019s fun to explore ways to integrate microlearning into courses. For in-person classes, one effective approach is to assign a microlearning module as homework before class. This helps students prepare for an active learning experience when the class meets. In online courses, microlearning can be used as either standalone modules or be embedded within larger units.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you\u2019d like to explore microlearning further, consider stopping by the CFC to chat or <\/span>schedule a consultation<\/span><\/a> with one of our educational developers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    References<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Balasundaram, S., Mathew, J., & Nair. S. (2024). Microlearning and learning performance in higher education: A post-test control group study<\/a>.\u00a0<\/i><\/span>Journal of Learning for Development 11<\/span><\/i>(1), 1-14.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Denojean-Mairet, M., L\u00f3pez-Pernas, S., Agbo, F. J., & Tedre, M. (2024). A literature review on the integration of microlearning and social media<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>Smart Learning Environments, 11<\/span><\/i>(1), 46.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Kohnke, L. (2021). Optimizing microlearning for mobile learning<\/a>. In Corbeil, J.R., B.H. Khan, & M.E. Corbeil (Eds.), Microlearning in the digital<\/span> age [pre-print]. Routledge.<\/span><\/p>\n

    NC State Teaching Resources (n.d.). Micro-learning with digital tools. Available at: <\/span>https:\/\/teaching-resources.delta.ncsu.edu\/micro-learning-with-digital-tools\/<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Thillainadesan, J., Le Couteur, D. G., Haq, I., & Wilkinson, T. J. (2022). When I say\u2026 microlearning<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>Medical education<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0<\/span>56<\/span><\/i>(8), 791\u2013792.<\/span><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Microlearning is a pedagogy that works well in both in-person and online courses. 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