Microlearning Videos to Increase Performance

What is Microlearning?

Well, to be honest, it’s another way of saying “short and to the point.” But, if you want an actual academic definition:

Microlearning is the technique of creating short, focused learning experiences to quickly close skill and knowledge gaps.

Now, there are plenty of other articles out there that talk about microlearning and what it is. So let’s stick with how you can apply this when using video. Here are a few brief tips on creating microlearning videos for your learners.

1. Keep it brief; 3 minutes is probably the max. The experts vary in opinions from 30 seconds to 6 minutes. However, as a former K-12 educator and corporate trainer, I can attest to the fact that longer than 3 minutes is probably pushing it.
2. Be specific; think how-to video for one task. Microlearning videos can’t show too many concepts by default because there simply is not enough time. The great news is you can create a lot of microlearning videos that are easy and digestible.
3. Mix it up! Nobody likes watching the talking head with the PowerPoint (side note: video is still better than just using a PowerPoint). Use comments, chapters, open-ended or multiple choice questions that will show up during the video to increase engagement.

Why Use Microlearning Videos?

Google and YouTube has changed everything. Our learners are used to being able to get on-demand “learning” in their everyday personal lives. The desire of all learners is for the same experience to transfer into educational and professional settings. How to log into email, use the internal chat app, how to sign up for benefits, etc; these are all things that can be made into short microlearning videos.

Microlearning videos are a necessity if we want to be able to connect with our learners in a meaningful way. If we make the effort to stay focused and to the point in short bursts, we will not have to worry about comprehension of learning outcomes.

Let’s make another list of benefits:

1. Quick to Make – Record microlearning videos in just a few minutes. Quickly get learners up to speed on new technology, or reiterate challenging concepts in your lesson.
2. Easy to Update – When information changes, replacing or updating microlearning videos is incredibily easier, without throwing off the whole lesson plan.
3. Long Lasting – Video micro-lessons can live forever in the organization’s video repository for future learners to access.
4. Engaging for Learners – Avoid distraction for learners during a long lesson, microlearning is brief enough to keep the learner engaged through the whole lesson.
5. Mobile Compatible – Compact and low effort nature makes videos appropriate for any time, whether learners are on the job, on their commute, or relaxing on their couch.
6. Immediate Results – Learners can pick up the necessary materials in minutes and are able to apply the lessons right away.
   

How Do I Make Microlearning Videos?

So glad you asked. I may be biased, but VidGrid is an exceptional option when choosing a video solution to make microlearning videos. VidGrid takes what used to be a very difficult task, and makes creating, sharing, and managing videos convenient for anyone.

Here’s one more list of benefits on VidGrid:

1. Easily capture yourself, the screen, or the world around you, as well as the ability to crowdsource important knowledge from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) around the organization.
2. Global updates No matter how and where the video is shared, it will update from a single place. Links and embed codes never break when updating videos.
3. Searchable video repository to ensure employees and educators can find the videos they need in the future.
4. Interactive features like in-video quizzing and live commenting to engage learners.
5. Compatible with every modern device and browser to ensure nothing stands between learners and their educations. Learners can playback anytime, anywhere.
6. Detailed analytics dashboard to track results, and make sure learners are achieving their objectives.

Success Stories

Over 250 customers rely on VidGrid to make educational or training videos. Many speak to the advantages of using VidGrid to promote microlearning in their organizations:

Just-in-time training - Mortenson Construction uses VidGrid to crowdsource knowledge from SMEs onsite. A SME records how to perform a specific action, and then any Mortenson employee can access the training through their video knowledge base, “MortTube,” from their smartphones. In just 3 months with VidGrid, Mortenson was able to crowdsource 1,300 microtraining videos for on-the-job training.

Train faculty on new technology– Guilford Technical Community College not only trains students with skill-specific videos, but also uses microtraining to educate faculty on how to use new tools. Instructional Technologist Anita McCoy says, “implementing VidGrid for preemptive training has saved her 20 hours a week in answering questions from faculty.”

Better engage students (while reducing textbook costs) - Lake Superior College transitioned from full length lectures to bite-sized videos to better enforce learning concepts. They use VidGrid to record everything from how to solve certain accounting problems in accounting classes, to how to check urine samples in their nursing classes, to how to drive a truck in their truck driving classes.

If you’re interested in learning more about VidGrid, please reach out and we’d be happy to talk with you!