Microlearning

Short and Sweet

by Karl M. Kapp, Robyn A. Defelice

4.7(88 ratings)

12 min read

Brief overview

This book explores how concise, focused learning experiences can lead to significant performance gains. It illustrates practical ways for instructors, businesses, and learners to design, implement, and sustain impactful short-form lessons. Through proven examples and straightforward advice, it reveals how small, targeted efforts can produce meaningful, long-lasting results.

Introduction

Have you ever wanted to learn something quickly, only to feel overwhelmed by lengthy training or huge manuals? Microlearning rises to tackle this problem by offering brief, focused lessons that empower us to gain specific knowledge or sharpen a skill without the bulk of traditional courses. The premise is simple: one targeted outcome, a few minutes of engagement, and an immediate sense of progress. By bypassing unnecessary clutter, learners can focus on precisely what they need.

Just as you’d eat a meal in small bites, microlearning breaks content into digestible segments that reinforce and sustain recall over time. Instead of passively absorbing information all at once, you learn in frequent, concentrated bursts. This short format can also motivate even the busiest individuals, making learning more accessible in modern, on-the-go lifestyles.

By connecting simple lessons with real-world tasks, microlearning keeps you continuously engaged and lets you instantly apply your newfound expertise. Across workplaces, universities, and personal endeavors, these tiny doses of education can produce lasting transformations.

Small actions, taken consistently, become big results.

Foundations of Microlearning

Despite its recent popularity, microlearning is not entirely new. Past research on spacing and memory, such as Hermann Ebbinghaus’s forgetting curve, revealed how people forget material quickly without review. Over time, educators discovered that repeated exposure to focused content dramatically improves retention.

Microlearning embraces these findings by structuring tiny, repeatable lessons that jog your memory right when you’re about to forget. This combats mental fatigue and provides relief from marathon study sessions. The power lies in quick check-ins or quizzes based on carefully planned intervals.

Moreover, modern technology—from smartphones to learning platforms—makes delivering short lessons easier than ever. Companies can send reminders and brief prompts to employees throughout the day, helping them stay current on evolving practices. Learners can consume lessons during short downtime, making it far more flexible than conventional training.

A well-timed refresher cements new knowledge before it slips away.

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What is Microlearning about?

Microlearning: Short and Sweet delves into the power of concisely packaged learning experiences that align with the fast-paced nature of modern life. Crafted by noted experts Karl M. Kapp and Robyn A. Defelice, this book underscores microlearning's pivotal role in training and development. The book systematically demystifies the art and science behind creating small, impactful lessons that resonate with today's learners, who crave efficiency and relevance.

Microlearning offers a revolutionary shift from traditional, text-heavy training to vibrant, quick lessons that deliver memorable and effective learning. By integrating core educational theories, Kapp and Defelice emphasize the importance of using learner-centered approaches in designing short modules. The book proposes that small, focused efforts can yield meaningful outcomes, revealing the immense potential when microlearning is applied thoughtfully within curricula and professional environments.

Microlearning: Short and Sweet comes to the fore as an essential resource, empowering instructors, corporations, and learners with practical tools to leverage microlearning. Its insights offer solutions to improve learner engagement and knowledge retention, making learning accessible and continuous. The book's wisdom strikes a chord with those aiming to revitalize education and training.

Review of Microlearning

The book Microlearning: Short and Sweet is a beacon for educators and trainers seeking to transform traditional learning landscapes. The authors, Karl M. Kapp and Robyn A. Defelice, expertly navigate through the nuanced challenges of modern education by introducing microlearning, an efficient method that aligns beautifully with the cognitive and lifestyle demands of today's learners.

A key strength of this book is its practical framework rooted in established learning theories, including behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and connectivism. The detail and depth here allow practitioners to see beyond microlearning's surface simplicity to understand its role within broader educational systems. Kapp and Defelice offer actionable strategies to help readers develop digestible content that fits into the microlearning model, facilitating remarkable improvements in learner engagement.

The book shines in illustrating the versatility of microlearning across various media formats — from video clips and podcasts to interactive scenarios and infographics. This helps educators craft bespoke learning experiences tailored to specific learner groups and objectives. The writing style is both accessible and insightful, making complex educational concepts clear and applicable. Ultimately, the book recommends itself as an essential guide for educators keen on elevating their teaching methods to meet the digital age's dynamic challenges.

Who should read Microlearning?

Corporate trainers aiming to enhance workforce skills efficiently through bite-sized learning activities.
Educators seeking innovative approaches to engage students in both in-person and remote settings.
eLearning developers tasked with creating widely accessible, engaging, and effective educational content.
Instructional designers wanting to design modern curricula that align with contemporary learning trends.
Self-motivated lifelong learners interested in adopting microlearning techniques for personal development.

About the author

Karl M. Kapp is a professor of instructional technology at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, with over 25 years of experience in the field. He holds a doctorate in education in instructional technology from the University of Pittsburgh and has authored or co-authored six books on learning and technology, including "The Gamification of Learning and Instruction." Robyn A. Defelice is a consultant, author, and presenter with over 20 years in the Learning and Development (L&D) field. She has a PhD and is known for her research on microlearning and training development. Together, they co-authored "Microlearning: Short and Sweet," combining their expertise in instructional design and learning strategies.