Mobile microlearning – productivity powerhouse in your pocket
- March 1, 2024
- Reading time : 10 Mins
Executive Summary: In an era of constant change and disruption, continuous learning has become a strategic imperative for companies looking to thrive in the digital age. By prioritizing continuous learning and investing in innovative training methods like mobile microlearning, companies can position themselves for success in an increasingly dynamic and competitive business environment.
In a world where information flows faster than ever, the art of learning has evolved. Gone are the days of lugging around heavy files or sitting through lengthy lectures. Say hello to Mobile Microlearning – the pocket-sized powerhouse of information that’s changing the way we learn, one byte at a time!
So, what exactly is Mobile Microlearning? Think of it as the bite-sized snack of upskilling, served conveniently on your employees’ smartphones or tablets. It’s like giving them a personal tutor in their pocket, ready to dish out nuggets of wisdom whenever and wherever they are.
Picture this: you’re waiting for your morning coffee, idly scrolling through your phone. Instead of mindlessly browsing memes (Yes! we all do it), why not spend a few minutes diving into a quick lesson on sales skills or product knowledge? With Mobile Microlearning, the possibilities are endless.
Now, you might be wondering, why all the fuss about “micro” learning? Well, the beauty lies in its simplicity. Rather than overwhelming your brain with a tsunami of information, Mobile Microlearning breaks it down into bite-sized chunks that are easy to digest. It’s like eating a pizza one slice at a time – much more manageable, wouldn’t you agree?
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.
Mobile Microlearning breaks it down into bite-sized chunks that are easy to digest. It’s like eating a pizza one slice at a time – much more manageable!
But wait, there’s more! Mobile Microlearning isn’t just about convenience, it’s also incredibly effective. Studies have shown that short, frequent bursts of learning can lead to better retention and understanding. When employees retain and understand information, they can actually apply it in their day-to-day tasks to keep improving their quality of work.
Enhancing productivity through bite-sized learning
How traditional training lowers productivity
Traditional training methods often involve lengthy seminars, workshops, and reading through extensive manuals. While these approaches may have worked in the era of dial-up internet and VHS tapes, they’re about as outdated as a fax machine in a world of smartphones. They can be quite time-consuming and disruptive in today’s fast-paced work environment!
Employees are often juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities, making it challenging to dedicate large blocks of time to training sessions. As a result, traditional training methods may not only disrupt employees’ work but also fail to deliver the desired outcomes due to information overload and lack of engagement.
Information overload can best be understood as that situation which arises when there is so much relevant and potentially useful information available that it becomes a hindrance rather than a help (Bawden & Robinson, 2020). When employees are bombarded with too much information at one time, they end up feeling like they’ve been hit by a knowledge tsunami – they struggle to keep their heads above water, let alone remember what they’ve learned. They may not learn and retain key concepts. This means they don’t absorb anything well enough to apply it and enhance their quality of work.
When employees aren’t engaged, they tend to lose interest during seminars and training sessions. They might find the sessions boring or not relevant to their job, so they don’t pay attention. As a result, they don’t actually learn or
retain the information. Eventually, it’s all forgotten, and there is no improvement in the quality of work or productivity.
In essence, traditional training may feel like investing in a gym membership and only using the sauna – it’s a lot of effort with little to show for it. It becomes a waste of valuable resources, failing to equip employees with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their roles and contribute to organizational success.
Traditional training methods often involve lengthy seminars, workshops, and reading through extensive manuals. They can be time-consuming and disruptive in today’s fast-paced work environment.
How mobile microlearning solves the problem
Microlearning offers a refreshing escape from this training treadmill by breaking down complex topics into small, digestible modules. This approach recognizes that most employees have limited attention spans (unless it’s cat videos), and learn best when information is presented in short, focused bursts.
By delivering content in bite-sized chunks, microlearning makes it easier for employees to absorb and retain information. Studies have shown that microlearning can lead to higher knowledge retention rates compared to traditional methods, making it the MVP of corporate training programs.
Mobile microlearning takes the concept of microlearning a step further by leveraging the convenience of mobile devices. Employees can access microlearning modules directly from their smartphones or tablets, allowing them to learn on-the-go. For example, during short breaks, commutes, or downtime between meetings, employees can easily access bite-sized training materials without disrupting their work. This flexibility empowers employees to take control of their upskilling journey and make the most of their available time. Ultimately, this enhances their productivity and efficiency.
With mobile microlearning, employees can access modules directly from their smartphones or tablets, allowing them to learn on-the-go.
Examples
Picture this: a sales rep waiting for their next client meeting in a coffee shop. Instead of twiddling their thumbs or staring into space, they whip out their smartphone and dive into a quick module on people skills. It’s like a power-up in a video game – a small investment of time that yields big rewards in knowledge and skills.
For a project manager stuck on a crowded train, mobile microlearning is their secret weapon against boredom and wasted time. With just a few taps, they can brush up on project management principles or learn a new productivity hack, turning their commute into a mini-training session.
Maintaining competitive advantage
Like Formula 1 races, industries today are fast-paced, full of twists and turns, requiring lightning-fast adaptation to stay ahead of the competition. Technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences, and global market trends are the fuel that drives this race. They push companies to constantly evolve or risk being left in the dust. However, traditional training methods often feel more like trudging through mud than zooming down the track – slow, cumbersome, and unable to keep up with the speed of change.
Continuous learning has emerged as a critical strategy for companies seeking to maintain their competitive advantage. It’s like giving your workforce a set of turbochargers – empowering them to acquire new skills, stay updated on industry trends, and navigate the twists and turns of the business landscape with confidence. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, companies can empower employees to embrace change, innovate, and drive organizational success in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Like Formula 1 races, industries today are fast-paced, full of twists and turns, requiring lightning-fast adaptation to stay ahead of the competition. Technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences, and global market trends are the fuel that drives this race.
Mobile microlearning aligns with the principles of continuous learning. It enables just-in-time access to relevant training materials. Rather than waiting for scheduled training sessions or workshops, employees can access microlearning modules whenever they encounter a specific learning need or challenge.
It’s like having a pit stop crew at your fingertips – ready to provide support, guidance, and resources at a moment’s notice. Whether they need to brush up on a particular skill, learn about a new product feature, or troubleshoot a problem on the job, mobile microlearning provides instant access to the information they need. It empowers them to perform at their best and contribute to organizational success.
Mobile microlearning isn’t just about delivering information – it’s about making sure that information sticks. Driven by AI-based spaced repetition, mobile microlearning ensures employees constantly revise materials. This enables continuous learning, and also helps them better remember key points so they can effectively apply them in their work.
Examples
Consider a software development company gearing up to launch a new programming language or a retail giant preparing to unveil a groundbreaking product line. In both scenarios, employees need to hit the ground running with the latest knowledge and skills.
By staying ahead of industry trends and fostering a culture of continuous learning, companies can position themselves as leaders in their respective fields and maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Mobile microlearning puts the pedal to the metal, delivering timely, targeted content directly to employees’ devices. It’s like handing them the keys to success and sending them off on the race to success!
Mobile microlearning aligns with the principles of continuous learning. Employees can access modules whenever they encounter a specific learning need or challenge.
Maximizing ROI on L&D initiatives
Return on investment (ROI) is the golden ticket organizations use to measure the effectiveness of their learning and development initiatives. But here’s the kicker: traditional training programs often feel like throwing money into a wishing well – you make a wish, toss in your coins, and hope for the best. However, without tangible results and measurable outcomes, these investments may fail to deliver the expected returns, leaving companies questioning the value of their training initiatives.
Traditional training methods come with a hefty price tag. Organizations spend as much as US$200 billion annually on training and development. However, much of this investment appears squandered on ill-conceived or poorly implemented interventions (Bunch, 2007). Costs like Instructor fees, venue rentals, travel expenses, and enough printed materials add up! Yet, despite these investments, the outcomes often fall short of expectations.
Organizations spend as much as US$200 billion annually on training and development; however, much of this investment appears squandered on ill-conceived or poorly implemented interventions (Bunch, 2007).
It’s like buying a fancy new gadget, only to realize it’s missing the batteries – expensive and ultimately disappointing. Low engagement, retention, and transfer of learning to the real world leave companies scratching their heads and questioning the value of their training initiatives. Companies may struggle to justify the expenditure on training and development, especially in the absence of tangible evidence linking training investments to business outcomes.
Mobile microlearning offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional training methods, by leveraging technology to deliver content straight to your employees’ smartphones. With these mobile devices practically glued to their hands, companies can significantly reduce costs associated with venue rentals, printed materials, and travel expenses. Moreover, the scalability of mobile microlearning allows companies to reach a larger audience without incurring additional costs. This makes it an attractive option to maximize the ROI on training investments.
Mobile microlearning increases ROI on L&D initiatives by delivering targeted, engaging content directly to employees’ devices, fostering higher retention rates, and reducing training costs associated with traditional methods.
Mobile microlearning can lead to higher engagement, retention, and application of knowledge compared to traditional training methods (S. Shail, 2017). By delivering content in short, focused modules, mobile microlearning accommodates the shorter attention spans of modern learners and encourages active participation. Interactive features such as quizzes, simulations, and gamification elements further enhance engagement and reinforce learning outcomes. This leads to better retention and transfer of knowledge to the workplace.
The proof is in the pudding – or rather, the ROI. Companies across industries have seen tangible benefits from mobile microlearning. From improved employee performance and productivity to reduced training costs and increased revenue, the numbers speak for themselves. It’s like hitting the jackpot without even leaving your desk – a win-win for companies and employees alike.
Final thoughts
Mobile microlearning offers numerous benefits for companies seeking to enhance productivity, maintain competitiveness, and maximize ROI on their learning and development initiatives. From its flexibility and accessibility to its cost-effectiveness and impact on engagement and retention, mobile microlearning has emerged as a versatile and effective strategy for meeting the evolving needs of modern learners and organizations.
As companies navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing business landscape, mobile microlearning represents a valuable opportunity to transform their approach to employee training and development. By embracing the principles of bite-sized learning, accessibility, and continuous improvement, companies can leverage mobile microlearning to empower their workforce, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth in today’s competitive marketplace. The time to embrace mobile microlearning is now – so why wait? Take the first step towards a brighter future for your organization today. RapL offers a cutting-edge platform designed to deliver effective training through microlearning. It’s also tailored to the needs of modern businesses. With RapL, companies can effortlessly implement mobile microlearning strategies to enhance employee skills, foster engagement, and stay ahead in a dynamic business environment. Contact us at hello@getrapl.com.
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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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