5 Rapid Mini Session Activities Perfect for Microlearning

The power of microlearning is in its brevity. Short bursts of learning are used to distill complex topics into easy to understand pieces. There’s no denying that microlearning sounds amazing. But how can you start incorporating microlearning activities into your training program today?

1. Mini-Webinars

Brief, 5-6-minute mini-webinars can make for an exceptionally potent microlearning activity. Despite their short length, it’s important for these mini-webinars to cover a topic (or mini-topic) in its entirety. So, you’ll need to make sure the scope of your subject matter is appropriate!

Recording a mini-webinar allows participants to view the material on their own time, providing flexibility. The short length also means that learners will have the ability (and the disposition) to view the material repeatedly. As a result, participants will find it easier to fully understand the material covered.

2. Punchy Podcasts

It’s true, podcasts are everywhere these days—and most people think of them as entertainment. But custom podcasts can be exceptional training tools, especially when they’re short and punchy. That’s because podcasts have several distinct advantages:

  • Participants can listen to podcasts anywhere—while jogging, commuting, or doing the dishes!
  • Podcasts can cover such a wide variety of topics. Inviting guests to your training podcast is a great way to make the presentation dynamic and fun.
  • Short podcasts are easy to digest and remember, making them perfect microlearning activities.
  • Podcasts are relatively easy to produce. All you need is a microphone and some recording software! This means they’re incredibly accessible for trainers at all levels.

To get a sense of how effective a 5-minute podcast can be, browse The Bob Pike Group Creative Training Techniques Podcast library!

3. Surprise Quizzes

If there’s one aspect of high school that is universally dreaded, it’s probably the pop quiz. But deployed the right way, surprise quizzes can be great at instructing as well as assessing. And because quizzes are short by nature, they make perfect microlearning activities.

Here’s how you might use a quiz in a microlearning activity. Set up a series of short questions—probably no more than 10. Depending on your training objectives, you can let participants prepare ahead of time or go full surprise mode.

But here’s the key: as learners answer the questions, you can immediately provide answers and additional context. This transforms the quiz from an annoying assessment into a fun and challenging learning activity.

4. Infographics

Reading large blocks of text can be, well, a little boring. And the denser the text, the harder it could be to remember—no matter how important the topic. That’s why infographics have become a favorite way to transmit critical information in short, fun bursts.

An infographic is a visual representation of data and information. They might use pictures, images, or even clip art. Infographics can lay out a significant amount of information, but because they’re organized visually, lessons can be absorbed and internalized quickly.

5. Use Simulations and Examples

Hands-on experience is an essential part of the training process. Microlearning makes it easy to practice—and perfect—one new skill at a time. Short simulations can provide relevant experience in a hands-on but risk-free way. 

Of course, not all simulations need hyper-accurate computer graphics and VR headsets. You could just as easily:

  • Role-play a situation with participants (or have participants role-play with each other). You can provide short scripts to follow.
  • Design text-based simulations, allowing participants to engage in interactions in real time.
  • Use commercially available games to simulate aspects of hands-on experience that might be relevant to your training.
  • Walk participants through examples—ask them what they might have done differently or what stood out as positive.

Remember the Methods for Microlearning

When developing activities, it’s important to remember that these activities must be complete. From a mini-webinar to a quickfire podcast, your activity must have a beginning, middle, and end.

If you want to learn more about using Microlearning in your training program, watch our Microlearning Webinar or register to attend a Microlearning Workshop. Start using Microlearning today!

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