When Neil Armstrong landed on the moon and made his famous ‘one giant step for man’ quote, it resonated throughout the world.

It was also dissected by teachers, scientists and critics alike. It became, and still is, a learning moment.

Learning moments like that can arise at any point in the form of microlearning.

Attention spans, and the time devoted to learning, shrink more as we become increasingly burdened with tasks. Calling a halt to learning is not the answer, it’s a huge step backwards. Microlearning is one answer.

Go ahead and take this small step in training that pays off in a giant leap in learning.

Wikipedia defines microlearning (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microlearning) in this way:

“Microlearning deals with relatively small learning units and short-term learning activities. Generally, the term “microlearning” refers to micro-perspectives in the context of learning, education and training. More frequently, the term is used in the domain of e-learning and related fields in the sense of a new paradigmatic perspective on learningprocesses in mediated environments.”

In an earlier career, I attempted to learn one new obscure word per day. It was my own version of microlearning. It was fun, educational, and challenging in the sense that I would then seek to use the word whenever I could. It’s not as easy to fit ‘jiggery-pokery’ into a conversation as you would think.

Microlearning takes many forms, there are unlimited options when it comes to this skill. It can range from a short video to a text message to an infographic or how-to guide. Any one, or several, may be practical for your workplace or learners. They are easy to fit into any schedule, tailor them to your needs and you are ready to go. The opportunities are always there if you are open to them.

It’s not going to replace traditional or emerging forms of training and learning, but it certainly can complement them. Give it a try, it’s only a small – some might say ‘micro’ – step.