Why Microlearning Suits Today’s Workforce
Over the development of social media, innovative technologies, and time — our attention spans have drastically changed. With constant notifications and endless scrolling, traditional training methods no longer suit how we learn. Today’s employees lack the time and focus for long, ongoing lectures. They need quick, engaging learning experiences that are short, relevant, and available on demand. This is where microlearning comes in—training designed for how we think and learn today.
What is Microlearning?
Microlearning delivers bite-sized, topic-focused lessons that run between 5 to 15 minutes. Instead of overwhelming employees with large chunks of information all at once, microlearning breaks it down into easily digestible, actionable information and activities.
This approach is perfect for upskilling, reinforcing company policies, and improving workplace performance—all without disrupting daily workflows.
Why Microlearning Works in a World of Shorter Attention Spans
🔹 More Focus, Less Overload – As much as some of us would not like to admit it, our brains can only absorb so much at once. Microlearning delivers key takeaways in small, memorable bursts, making it easier to retain information, providing relevant material and preventing cognitive overload.
🔹 Built for How We Consume Content Today – From social media clips to short YouTube tutorials, we now learn in quick, engaging snippets. Microlearning mirrors this format, making training feel more natural and less like a chore.
🔹 Just-in-Time Learning – Employees don’t need to sit through hours of training to get answers. Microlearning allows them to access knowledge quickly, whether it’s a refresher before a client meeting or a quick guide on a new process.
The Science Behind Microlearning
The effectiveness of microlearning is backed by research on how we retain information.
Hermann Ebbinghaus’ Forgetting Curve reveals that without reinforcement, people forget nearly 80% of new information within a month (Ebbinghaus, 1885).
Microlearning combats this by delivering small, high-impact lessons that can be reviewed in quick, repeated intervals. This approach boosts long-term retention, making it easier for employees to recall and apply what they’ve learned.
Why Microlearning is the Future of Workplace Training
1. Microlearning Increases Learning Efficiency by 17%
According to a Journal of Applied Psychology study, employees who learn in small, focused segments experience a 17% boost in learning efficiency compared to those in traditional training (Eurich,1934).
By reducing cognitive overload, microlearning helps employees retain and apply knowledge faster, making training more effective and applicable to the real-world, resulting in productive business changes.
2. Fast, Cost-Effective, and Scalable
Microlearning isn’t just faster—it’s cheaper. Shorter training modules mean lower development costs, and digital delivery eliminates in-person travel, trainer fees, and classroom expenses.
3. Designed for How We Learn Best
Instead of forcing employees to sit through hour-long training sessions, microlearning allows them to absorb information in quick bursts—the same way they consume digital content every day.
4. Mobile-First, Learning on the Go
Training must be accessible anytime, anywhere. Microlearning is mobile-friendly, ensuring employees can learn on their phones, tablets, or laptops—whenever they have a just few spare minutes.
5. Closes Skill Gaps Faster
With workplaces evolving faster than ever, employees need training that keeps pace with industry demands. Microlearning enables quick upskilling, allowing teams to adapt, grow, and stay competitive in real time.
How Microlearning Improves Workplace Performance
✅ Better Retention & Recall
Short, focused lessons help employees absorb information more effectively, preventing the "forgetting curve" from kicking in.
✅ Higher Engagement
Employees are more likely to complete short, interactive lessons than sit through long, tedious training sessions.
✅ Increased Productivity
Less time in training means more time applying skills on the job, boosting overall efficiency.
Technology is Powering the Microlearning RevolutionFor microlearning to be truly effective, the right digital platform (Learning Management System) is key. Leading platforms offer:
📌 Nudge-learning capsules – Weekly reminders to reinforce key lessons.
📌 Error anticipation modules – Helping employees avoid common mistakes before they happen.
📌 Tailored Personalization – Delivering relevant content tailored to each employee’s learning needs.
📌 Accessibility beyond the Standards – Providing accessibility beyond the WCAG Standards and Sections 504 and 508 of the ADA. This includes full keyboard functionality, transcripts, captions, high contrast, Alt text, and offering additional languages as per learner needs.
Learning design doesn’t just deliver content—they track progress, provide feedback, and create personalized learning paths that drive real growth.
See a Microlearning Course in Action
Testing a car before buying it is a wise choice; Microlearning courses are no different. See one of our microlearning courses in action here.
The Future is Micro—Are You Ready?
As workplace training evolves, microlearning is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity.
With its proven efficiency, higher engagement, and adaptability to shorter attention spans, microlearning is the key to training today’s workforce in a way that actually works.
Sources:
Ebbinghaus, H. (1885). Memory: A contribution to experimental psychology (H. A. Ruger & C. E. Bussenius, Trans.). Teachers College, Columbia University. (Original work published 1885).
Eurich, A.C. (1934). Retention of knowledge acquired in a course in General Psychology. Journal of Applied Psychology, 18(2), pp. 209–219. doi:10.1037/h0071566.
Thank you for joining me today! Let’s keep learning altogether, as lifelong #LearningMatters.
Best,
Laura Lawson
LearningMatters, LLC
Instructional Designer
