Key Takeaways

• Statistics reveal that microlearning is a better way for professionals to learn. 41% of organizations are already implementing it as it increases learner retention significantly.
• Microlearning eliminates the logistical challenge associated with traditional classroom training. Microlearning requires a lesser budget and the indirect cost associated with missing work in order to physically attend training.
• Offering bite-sized information allows learners to use up the time they would typically spend scrolling through social media. This allows employers to reclaim this lost time.

Introduction

Microlearning: Increased Retention

• According to research conducted by RPS, 41% of organizations are implementing micro-learning, however, only about 19% understand how to best incorporate it for optimal results. As opposed to using this as stand-alone, it serves as an ideal tool to reinforce critical pieces of information. It needs to be strategically implemented to ensure the best results.

• Studies reveal that without reinforcing learning, employees may forget 50% to 80% of the content. The range is wide as the rate of forgetting is dependent on several factors. Micro-learning allows learners to understand the most complex concepts and directly apply them to their jobs. This change in employee behavior is critical to the organization's success.

 

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Value for Money

• As organizations increase their learning and development spend, it is critical that learners retail that knowledge. By delivering information in small segments, key points, and takeaways, the learning process is meaningful to employees, which adds value to the organization.
• Whenever companies experience a tough season, one of the budget areas that would be cut is the training budget. However, microlearning offers an alternative that is cost-effective compounded by various factors: lower roll-out cost per learner, savings on travel and lost time away from work, and class size is no longer a factor in effective learning.

• Research shows that learners typically disconnect after 20 minutes. This shortened attention span makes it difficult for learners to retain information that is presented in larger chunks. The ideal learning time with the highest ROI is five to 10 minutes. It would be the preferred method in comparison to traditional full-day courses.
• Additionally, traditional classroom training alienates the worker that cannot afford to take a block of time off work. Time-pressurized workers are denied the opportunity to acquire training to improve their skills and productivity. However, microlearning would be an ideal solution for these individuals as they can spare five to 10-minute sessions at their convenience.
• Employers are stretched for time and employees' retention spans are short. Microlearning makes it easier to grasp concepts, engages the learner effectively, and allows employers to push through specific concepts/knowledge that they would like their employees to attain with no disruptions to the work schedule. Additionally, microlearning may reduce costs by about 50% and increased the speed of development by 300%.

Learners are Mobile

• Traditional classroom layouts are increasingly becoming a logistical challenge. Learners are becoming more mobile and the increased demand for flexible work has shifted physical locations to virtual and mobile alternatives. Microlearning is now available on smartphones, which makes it the ideal tool for today's workforce.

• Research shows that workers would typically spend about two hours of their day on their mobile phones, most of which is spent on Facebook. As a result, offering mobile-based microlearning allows employers to reclaim this lost time. By pushing out enticing bits of information, employers can ensure that they are improving their skills/talents without losing any time off work.
• Studies reveal that by 2020, 50% of the global workforce will be mobile and 50% of the US workforce will be made up of freelancers. Additionally, millennials constitute 50% of the global workforce. By 2030, they will make up 75%. When selecting places to work, millennials want to be a part of a community where L&D is a priority. Since they use their phones for most of their needs, they expect that the on-the-job training will have similar convenience.

Microlearning Tools

• The elements used in microlearning include videos, apps, games, infographics, and social media. Research reveals that 85% of US internet users view videos online. Information shared via videos is easy-to-digest, combined audio and images, and entertaining and impactful content has a higher retention rate when compared to written material. Additionally, videos can easily be shared with peers allowing them to have an even greater impact.
• In 2019, there were 204 billion app downloads and they have become wildly popular. This platform can play a key role in the learning process. Gaming is also becoming increasingly popular. Gamification increases participation by 35%. Although it is mainly used for eLearning, games can also be used as an effective microlearning tool. As leaderboards and challenges keep them engaged, quick review games allow individuals to recall the information they learned, therefore, increasing retention.
• Infographics deliver key information at a glance. Supported with images, data and information can allow learners to internalize information quickly.
•  Co-opting social media in the microlearning process allows the learners to interact with the content using this powerful tool. Statistics show that about 18% of Americans rely on social media for political news. As a result, these platforms can be utilized to convey information.

Research Strategy

Key Takeaways

•  The American Institute of CPAs offers microlearning courses for accountants.
• The partnership between Uber and EduMe has successfully saved money, time, and has been more fruitful than in-person training.
•  98% of the Uber drivers that received their training via EduMe said that they would recommend the platform to new drivers.

Introduction

CPAs

• One of the top five challenges faced by accountants is upskilling. CPAs are considered experts in their field and are required to keep themselves vastly informed and educated. To do so, they need to keep up with the technological advancements, analytics, and any other tool that can help them improve and optimize their performance.
• Some courses are offered to CPAs via microlearning tools. These resources are available online and can be taken at one's convenience. Examples here are microlearning courses offered by the American Institute of CPAs.
•  Inovautus Consulting offers microlearning classes for CPAs. In order to stay ahead of the competition, accounting firms have to improve their training, education, and upskilling. Microlearning allows them to learn at their own convenience. This offers flexibility to plan out the lessons into a daily or weekly routine.

Uber Drivers and EduMe

•  EduMe partnered with Uber to offer some training to the drivers in the EMEA region. This microlearning tool was a cost-effective and reliable method to educate/update the new driver-partners. Drivers had the option to choose an in-person training or via mobile and uber tracked both groups to determine which one would be most effective going forward. The results are presented below.
• The EduMe group demonstrated a 13% faster time to start driving and earning.
• The rider ratings were almost equal. 
• Both groups were equally motivated in terms of the number of trips they made per day.
• It saved the cost of customer support, which in turn saves time for the company and the drivers.
• By allowing drivers to have quick access to the platform any time and anywhere, uber drivers can get onto the road faster than ever before.
•  98% of the EduMe group said that they would recommend it to new Uber drivers. The reasons they gave were that it was easy to use, it was relevant, and the content was pitched to the right level.
• According to Kylie Joseph, Uber's Operations and Logistics Manager, the impact of the partnership with EduMe in Johannesburg has revealed the positive impact of microlearning on both the drivers and the company. Two samples from driver comments are presented below.
• “It was so insightful and educating. As a new driver, I believe I am good to go...” - Ikuesan, Driver-Partner, Nigeria 
• “It’s straight to the point and saves time and money.” - Moloko, Driver-Partner, South Africa 

Accountants

• The new Chartered Accountants Program is implementing various tools, including microlearning videos. These tools are ideal in enhancing real-world engagement, allowing professionals to immediately apply what they learn in their workplace. By engaging with industry and thought leaders, the content of these learning tools addresses the different areas of accounting as shown in the image below.
• By addressing the needs of chartered accountants today and in the future, one can develop strategic tools that improve efficiency at a lower cost. Mapping out "the career stages, the professional journeys, and work needs of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand" are critical in adapting to the new turbulent and disrupted environment. 

 

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Research Strategy

Key Takeaways

• After successfully implementing microlearning, North American logistics found that the completion rate was at 90%. This is a great improvement from traditional LMS which was at 30% in some of its centers.
• Companies in the retail industry witnessed a 4X increase in the engagement rate.
• With the implementation of gamification, employees in the hospitality space were highly motivated to participate in the training and were more effective in their work.

Introduction

Retail

• The microlearning platforms are created to meet the specific needs of the brand with a simple layout that the teams can easily follow. It allows employers to train their teams in a motivating and effective way. This boosts their performance and productivity, which in turn will impact the bottom line.
• Results of microlearning in this field include an increased engagement rate (4X), a retention rate of over 50% when compared to traditional training methods, and no additional requirements for training facilities/spaces. Having one decentralized place for the training has allowed the employers to focus on the business without the distraction of the training processes.

Hospitality

• Employers in this space shared that their employees were happy with the microlearning experience. The elements that were cited as most beneficial are that the training was personalized, relevant, and could be accessed wherever and whenever they wanted. They also note that the platform was engaging, fun, and the playful aspect improved their communication abilities.
• Statistics show that microlearning improves retention over time. By using the spaced repetition method, MobieTrain allows learners to absorb the content better. Customer service has been significantly improved. The gamification element kept the learners motivated and the employers could access the data on the different players and their progress with ease.
• Another positive aspect is the cost-effectiveness. MobieTrain designs this training to be accessed via smartphones. This allows employers to save money as they do not have to acquire "any special equipment, time off work, room-hire, or outside specialists."
• The development of these training sessions took 50% less time than preparations for traditional training. Additionally, the design is branded and tailored to meet the needs of the brands/organizations. This allows learners to connect and associate with the experience, reducing the barriers toward training that is experienced in traditional settings.

Logistics

• Companies in the logistics industry are always on the move, have short deadlines, and need to remain connected to ensure that they are efficient in their service. Microlearning is especially beneficial to this market as it allows the staff to access the training on Microlearning from wherever they are. They can ensure that they keep updated as the dispatched information is availed in real-time.
• For the reasons stated above, microlearning ensures that even those that may not afford to take chunks of time away to attend training can still do so at their convenience. This is especially beneficial to the employers as they can ensure that all their staff goes through any upskilling training required to be efficient. As stated in the previous section, the knowledge retention of these short bursts of information is up by 50%.  
• This personalized and fun experience increases the rate of adoption up to 90%. Five-minute lessons a day will allow learners to understand the concepts that employers consider critical in improving the bottom line. Additionally, by monitoring how employees are performing, employers can decide which direction their training needs to go. This gives them a sense of control in the learning process.

• A leading logistics company in the US, North American logistics, that engaged the services of EduMe had this to report after implementing a microlearning project across the organization.
• With previous training methods, the completion rate in some distribution centers was as low as 30%. However, after implementing microlearning, the completion rate rose as high as 90%. With EduMe, the training of employees using microlearning outperformed previous methods by 200%. 
• This company also saw a 26% reduction in injuries following the microlearning experience. Additionally, by using these tools, the company used 5,000 fewer hours in training. That year, translating to saving the company about $60,000.
• Making training available anywhere and anytime eliminated the inconvenience of disrupting workshops, confinement to one place for a given time, and any revenue lost by these interruptions. This training fits seamlessly into the employee work-day. Additionally, 95% of their employees also preferred the microlearning experience compared to traditional LMS.

Research Strategy