This blog explores various microlearning strategies and their development using the all-new Adobe Captivate.
Introduction:
The attention spans of learners are shrinking faster than ever. In today’s digital age, learners crave information in short, digestible chunks. Microlearning or bite-sized learning proves to be an effective strategy for time-crunched learners.
However, creating a bite-sized learning that is as impactful, can be challenging. The authoring tool used to develop it proves to be crucial in such cases.
In this blog, I’ll explore the key characteristics of microlearning that are beneficial for learners.
I will also share some useful microlearning strategies aligned to specific learning outcomes developed using the new Adobe Captivate.
Key Characteristics of Microlearning
Focus: Microlearning modules align to a specific learning objective or skill, eliminating extraneous information and ensuring learners receive targeted content.
Brevity: Microlearning keeps content concise, making it ideal for learners who prefer quick bursts of information. This brevity also supports better retention, as learners can focus on one concept at a time.
Accessibility: Microlearning is designed to be accessible anytime, anywhere. Learners can engage with the content on various devices, fostering flexibility and accommodating different learning preferences.
Engagement: By leveraging multimedia elements, interactivity, and gamification, microlearning aims to keep learners engaged. This approach capitalizes on the principle that engaging content enhances knowledge retention.
Applicability: Microlearning often focuses on practical application, allowing learners to immediately apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios. This hands-on approach contributes to a more impactful learning experience.
Adaptability: Microlearning is highly adaptable to different topics and learning needs. For skill refreshers, compliance updates, or soft skills development, microlearning can be customized to meet specific requirements.
Microlearning Strategy Aligned to Learning Outcome
1.Brief Video Tutorial
Situation: In a manufacturing set-up, employees must be spot-on with the proper equipment calibration to avoid accidents and production breakdowns.
Microlearning strategy: A brief video tutorial demonstrating the exact steps of the tool’s calibration process. The video can be enhanced by adding specific scenarios and interactivities.
Adobe Captivate makes creating such interactive videos very easy. You can add interactive widgets and knowledge checks to the pre-recorded video using bookmarks and overlays. Thus, learner engagement increases, and the required learning objective is met.
2.Module Series
Situation: The sales team of a financial services company needs to be prepared with the latest product specifications before their client meetings.
Microlearning strategy: A series of microlearning modules for individual product features, benefits, and use cases.
Adobe Captivate’s Quick Start Projects (QSP) make creating these modules easy. The QSPs are ready-to-use projects with real content, suitable assets, and interactivities. These instructionally and visually sound QSPs help you put together your microlearning module quickly. They are available for a variety of industries and topics. They can be further customized with the help of design options and out-of-the-box interactive widgets
3. Scenario-Based Module
Situation: The organization has updated its compliance policies following some regulatory changes. The employees need to be trained in these regulatory and compliance policy changes.
Microlearning strategy: Scenario-based bite-sized modules using an avatar to take the learners through the policy changes.
Adobe Captivate’s Asset library has a range of characters or avatars to choose from. The tool also has multiple voice-over options that are close to human-like voices. These features come in handy to implement a microlearning strategy as mentioned above.
4.Software Simulation-Based Module
Situation: One of the department store chains has introduced new inventory management and billing software. It wants to train all its employees across departments on this software.
Microlearning strategy: Simulation video to demonstrate the usage steps of the software. Use of dummy software for practice and assessing the learner’s competence on the software’s use.
Adobe Captivate’s software simulation capabilities are quite comprehensive. With a single recording session, one can create three different modules namely- Demo, Training, and Assessment. You don’t have to record the video separately for each. This makes creating software simulations simple.
5.Website Like Module
Situation: One of the software companies has introduced a change in its organizational structure. It wants to demonstrate this change to its employees.
Microlearning strategy: A single-screen learning nugget explaining the change in the organization’s structure.
The infinite scroll feature of Adobe Captivate is useful for creating vertical scroll content. You can place all the relevant content on the same screen which can be navigated by the users just like a website.
Apart from Adobe Captivate’s capabilities mentioned above, other important features like by-default responsive design, deep copy for easy animations, simple accessibility settings, and out-of-the-box audio editing contribute to greater efficiency while developing bite-sized eLearning modules.
Deciding the Suitability of Microlearning Strategy
The suitability of microlearning to a specific content type depends on the following factors:
1.Complexity of the Content: Microlearning is the most effective to break down complex topics into smaller, manageable chunks. If the content involves discrete concepts or skills, microlearning can offer targeted and focused learning experiences.
2.Specificity: Microlearning works when learning objectives are well-defined and specific. If the content aims to achieve clear, isolated objectives that can be addressed in a short timeframe, microlearning is an excellent strategy.
3.Applicability to the Real-World: Microlearning is a good choice when learners need to apply knowledge immediately. If the content involves practical scenarios, simulations, or on-the-job applications, microlearning is an apt strategy.
4.Preferences of the Learners: Microlearning is designed for today’s learners who prefer shorter, focused interactions. If your audience is more likely to engage with brief, interactive content, microlearning is a suitable choice.
To Summarize
As we explore the development of bite-sized learning, the role of the authoring tool becomes important, and Adobe Captivate suits it well.
The tool’s capabilities align seamlessly with the key characteristics of microlearning, allowing developers to create learning aids that are not only concise and accessible but also engaging and applicable.
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