Microlearning for millennials
How to use microlearning to train, engage, and retain millennial talent in the modern workplace
Millennial workers are used to consuming information from social media sites that provide news in short tidbits. They also do not take out the time to read through sections of news, but use their free time to do so. This means microlearning is a great way to engage them. The short, mobile-friendly formats of microlearning also make it easy to learn the needed information, without spending hours on lengthy presentations or webinars. Microlearning can also be more flexible in terms of the topics to be covered. For example, if you have a topic on time management strategies, you can give workers microlearning opportunities to practice those strategies effectively.
Let’s delve deeper.
The Millennial Generation: Understanding Their Impact and Influence
The millennial generation, also known as Generation Y, is the demographic cohort following Generation X. Born between 1981 and 1996, millennials are the largest generation in history and projected to make up 75% of the global workforce by 2025.
As the first generation to grow up with technology and the internet, millennials have a unique perspective and values that shape the future of work and society. They’re also quick to adopt new technology, leading them to be known as “early adopters”. This has significant implications for organizations looking to attract, retain, and engage this important demographic.
One key characteristic of millennials is their desire for flexibility and work-life balance. Unlike previous generations, millennials value experiences and personal fulfillment over material possessions, and are more likely to prioritize work-life balance over career advancement. This has led to the rise of the gig economy and a shift towards more flexible and remote work arrangements.
Another aspect of millennials is their commitment to social and environmental causes. This generation is more socially conscious and politically active than previous generations. They expect the companies they work for to align with their personal values to make a positive impact on the world.
People forget nearly 90% of what they have learnt within just 7 days, unless the concepts are reinforced. That’s why employees swamped with documents, presentations, and classroom sessions are not likely to learn much.
However, time constraints make it difficult to reinforce vast concepts.
What can you do instead? Arm your employees with one concept at a time. Studies show the human attention span is only 8.25 seconds, so keep your training concise.
RapL is your software for that.
In terms of their impact on the workplace, millennials are changing the way to work and learn. They are driving the adoption of new technologies, such as AI and automation, and leading the change toward more collaborative and flexible work environments. The millennial lifestyle is all about experiences over material things. As they value convenience and flexibility, millennials are more likely to engage with microlearning and other forms of bite-sized, on-demand learning. The millennial generation has a significant impact on the world of work and society as a whole. Understanding their values, preferences, and expectations is essential for organizations to attract, retain, and engage this important demographic. By embracing the unique perspectives and needs of millennials, organizations can unlock their potential and drive business success.
What is microlearning and why does it work for the millennials?
Microlearning is a training technique that delivers content in small, bite-sized pieces. It’s perfect for busy millennial workers who want to learn new things, but don’t have the time for traditional training methods. Microlearning can take many forms, but it typically involves breaking down complex topics into smaller and shorter scenarios. like customer service or workplace etiquette into smaller pieces that can be easily digested. This could mean creating short videos or articles on a specific topic, or providing quick quizzes or games that reinforce key concepts.
The beauty of microlearning is that it can be learned anytime, anywhere. With today’s technology, workers can access microlearning content on their smartphones, tablets, or laptops, making it easy to learn new things on the go.
Millennials are a unique generation with their own characteristics and learning preferences. They are tech-savvy, always connected to the internet, and highly adaptable. This makes microlearning well-suited to the millennials. Microlearning allows them to learn in short bursts, at their own pace, and in an interactive and engaging way. It also provides the flexibility and accessibility they need to learn on their own terms. Microlearning is a perfect fit for millennials, by providing them with the tools and resources needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced world.
Benefits of microlearning for millennial workers
With its flexible, interactive, and bite-sized format, microlearning allows learners to absorb information quickly and efficiently. It is a valuable tool for training busy, tech-savvy millennials.
Some key benefits of microlearning for millennial workers include
- Flexibility: Microlearning can be accessed anytime, anywhere. This makes it easy for learners to fit training into their busy schedules.
- Engagement: With its interactive format, microlearning keeps learners engaged and motivated. This helps improve retention and learning outcomes.
- Efficiency: By breaking up learning content into small, easily digestible chunks, microlearning enables learners to quickly absorb and retain information. This makes it a more efficient training method than the lengthy traditional courses.
- Cost-effectiveness: Microlearning training programs are often more affordable. They require less time and resources to implement than traditional training methods.
- Customization: Microlearning is a highly personalized training solution. It can be tailored to the specific needs and goals of individual learners.
8 ways to use microlearning to engage and train millennial workers
Microlearning is a powerful tool for engaging and educating millennial workers. It delivers short bite-sized content in easily digestible pieces and allows millennial workers to quickly grasp and apply new information.
To effectively use microlearning to engage millennial workers, it’s important to keep the content short, sweet, and interactive. Incorporation of multimedia, and encouraging social learning are also helpful. Here are some specific tips and examples for using microlearning to engage the millennial generation:
- Keep it brief – Millennial workers have short attention spans, so it’s important to keep microlearning content concise and to the point. Avoid lengthy videos or articles that end in a loss of interest before they reach the finish. Instead, aim for content that is 5-10 minutes in length, focusing on a single topic or skill. For example, a microlearning module on time management could include a brief video on techniques to prioritize tasks, followed by a quiz to assess learners’ understanding.
- Make it interactive – Boring, one-way lectures are unlikely to engage millennial workers. microlearning tools allow for two-way communication, such as video conferencing or webinars. This will help keep learners engaged and motivated. For example, a microlearning module on team building could include a live video conference with a facilitator who leads the group through exercises and discussions. This also encourages participation and collaboration among learners.
- Incorporate multimedia – Millennials consume content in various formats, so consider using a mix of media types in the microlearning modules. This could include videos, infographics, images, and audio files, among others. For example, a microlearning module on customer service could include a brief video featuring real-life scenarios and best practices. This can be followed by an infographic that summarizes key points, and a quiz to reinforce learning.
- Encourage social learning – Social media is an integral part of most millennials’ lives. So it needs to be considered and incorporated into your microlearning programs. Use social media platforms to facilitate discussions and collaboration among learners, or provide resources and support for learners to share with their networks. For example, a microlearning module on communication skills could include a discussion forum for learners to share examples and ask questions. It can also be a social media campaign to encourage learners to share their learning experiences with their networks.
- Use technology – Millennial workers are comfortable with technology, so leverage it in your microlearning content to make it engaging. This could include interactive tools like quizzes and simulations, or multimedia elements, like videos and infographics.
- Be relevant – To engage millennial workers, ensure that the microlearning content is relevant to their experiences and interests. Keep up with trends and use relevant topics and examples to make the content engaging and relatable.
- Encourage participation and feedback – Another important aspect of making microlearning content relevant to the millennial generation is to encourage participation and feedback from learners. This could include using interactive tools, such as quizzes and simulations, or facilitating discussions and collaboration among learners. By involving learners in the learning process, you can make the content more relevant and personalized to their needs and interests.
- Use relevant topics and examples – To make your microlearning content engaging and relatable for millennial learners, it’s important to use topics and examples relevant to their experiences and interests. This could include real-life scenarios and examples that reflect the challenges and opportunities that millennial workers face, as well as incorporating current events, pop culture references, and other elements relevant to their lives. By using relevant topics and examples, you can make your microlearning content more engaging and memorable for millennial learners.
By following these tips, you can create an effective microlearning content that engages and educates the millennial generation, to learn more effectively and retain the knowledge.
Case studies of successful microlearning programs
Microlearning is an effective way to deliver bite-sized pieces of information to learners, making it a perfect solution for today’s busy and overwhelmed learners. Many organizations with a millennial workforce have successfully implemented microlearning programs. They have also seen a range of benefits, including improved retention of information, increased engagement, and faster skill acquisition through the program.
One such organization is a large oil, gas, and chemicals company operarting globally. They implemented a microlearning program for its sales team. The program consisted of short, interactive lessons on various sales-related topics, including product knowledge, customer service, and closing techniques. The lessons were delivered via the company’s learning management system and were available on-demand. This allowed the sales team to access the information whenever and wherever they needed it.
The results of this microlearning program were impressive. Sales reps were able to learn quickly and retain important information, which led to a 15% increase in sales within the first three months of the program. Additionally, the program improved engagement among the sales team, as the interactive lessons were more engaging than traditional training methods.
Another successful microlearning program was implemented by a large drone manufacturing organization. The company used microlearning to train its new customers/police officers on procedures and protocols to operate the drone. The microlearning lessons were delivered via the mobile learning app (RapL in this case), allowing police officers to access information on the go.
This microlearning program was a huge success. There are many millennials entering the police force as well. These police officers reported that they felt more confident and knowledgeable after completing the lessons. The program also improved customer satisfaction and decreased queries, as officers were able to apply the information they had learned quickly and accurately.
These case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of microlearning as a way to train and engage the millennial workforce. Both organizations saw improvements in knowledge retention, engagement, and skill acquisition among their employees. This was due to the implementation of microlearning programs specifically designed for millennials. These case studies show that microlearning can be a valuable tool for organizations looking to provide their millennial employees with the training and information they need to succeed in their roles.
Alternatives to microlearning
There are several alternative approaches to learning that are similar to microlearning. Some of these alternatives include
- eLearning: E-learning is a type of education delivered online or through electronic devices, rather than in a traditional classroom setting. It can be a convenient and flexible alternative to traditional education, allowing students to learn at their own pace and in a location of their choosing.
- Blended learning: Combining face-to-face instruction with online learning, allowing learners to access information and complete assignments at their own pace, providing them with greater flexibility and control over their learning experience.
- Social learning: Using social media and other online platforms to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among learners. This approach can be particularly effective for learners who are comfortable using technology and enjoy working with others. Social learning can take many forms, from online forums and discussion groups to collaborative projects and peer-to-peer feedback. By providing learners with a supportive and engaging learning environment, social learning can help promote engagement and motivation.
By incorporating these alternative approaches to learning, you can further improve the effectiveness and efficiency of your training programs. This helps learners achieve their goals. However, all this can be combined into a microlearning program, and that’s the secret behind the successful training ROI for several organizations.
Conclusion
To sum up, it is clear that microlearning is an effective learning method for millennials. This generation, born between 1981 and 1996, has grown up in the digital age. They are used to access information and learn new things quickly and easily. As a result, they are often more engaged and motivated when learning is delivered in small, bite-sized chunks that they can digest and apply in a short amount of time. Microlearning allows learners to focus on specific topics or skills without being overwhelmed by too much information. It is often delivered through digital platforms that are easily accessible and flexible. So if you are a leader with a millennial workforce, consider using microlearning to help you reach your goals. If you do not have a millennial workforce, please hurry up and hire such millennials into your organization. This is vital for the success of your business.
Dear reader, thanks for being with us all the way till the end. We suggest 2 things from here
1. Speak to us if you want a microlearning strategy deep-dive: Microlearning is extremely effective, if approached sensibly. Microlearning is the answer to today’s shortening attention spans and we know how to make learning successful via microlearning. Drop your context here and we shall partner with you for the rest.
2. Lap up more content: We have written some intense literature on how microlearning is the superglue between people and successful business operations. Access all of it here.
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