Microlearning has gained popularity due to its ability to cater to the modern workforce’s fast-paced and diverse learning styles. It breaks down complex topics into concise modules, making it easier for employees to grasp information on the go through mobile devices or desktops. Moreover, the flexibility of microlearning allows employees to access relevant content whenever needed, promoting just-in-time learning and increasing knowledge retention. This approach aligns with employees’ needs and preferences and enhances overall training effectiveness, improving employee performance and organizational success.
Among various other forms of microlearning, video content is becoming popular. It’s a powerful tool for conveying information efficiently. However, designing engaging video content requires a well-defined strategy. This strategy should have a mix of microlearning instructional design and visual storytelling. We have curated a simple guide for creating compelling videos. These tips will grab learners’ attention and improve knowledge retention.
Why are Microlearning Videos Perfect for Learning?
Microlearning videos are an excellent choice for learning, and here’s why:
1. Saves time and money:
Designing microlearning content is much quicker and cheaper compared to the traditional methods. These contents can be created without any in-person subject matter experts, classrooms, or expensive equipment. Also, because it provides digital learning materials, it’s much easier to maintain and keep up to date than traditional course materials, ensuring learners can access the most current information.
2. Easy to remember information:
Microlearning breaks information into small, easily manageable pieces. This helps our brains process and remember the content better. Microlearning ensures that the learners can handle information all at once. This focused approach increases the chances of information being retained in long-term memory.
3. Keeps learners engaged:
Shorter videos, like microlearning ones, are much more effective. Learners are more likely to stay attentive and absorb information in shorter formats. Studies have shown that videos should be less than 6 minutes long for optimal learning. So, microlearning videos, which are naturally of shorter duration, are more likely to captivate learners’ attention.
Things to Keep in Mind While Designing Microlearning Videos:
Designing microlearning videos needs a well-defined strategy. Keep these things in mind to create compelling videos:
1. Know your audience:
Before you start creating videos, it’s essential to understand your target audience. Consider the learners’ learning styles, ages, preferences, and specific challenges. Design your content according to their needs and interests. For example, you might want to incorporate more interactive elements if your audience is tech-savvy millennials. By understanding your audience’s needs, you can create videos that resonate with them on a deeper level.
2. Set a clear learning goal:
Microlearning videos should have a specific learning objective. What do you want the learner to take away from each video? This will guide you throughout the video creation process. It keeps the content focused and impactful. So you can deliver a clear message or skill.
3. Develop a compelling storyline:
The most essential factor about visual storytelling is a well-crafted script. Start by noting the key points you want to cover in your videos, and then create a story around those pointers. You can use a relatable scenario, case study, or problem-solving approach to engage your audience. Make sure the content has relevant context. The more the storyline is interesting, the more the content is memorable.
4. Use visual elements effectively:
Visual elements add a complementary touch to the content. It helps enhance the understanding of the entire lesson that a microlearning video holds. You can use animations, images, or graphics to illustrate the key points. Specifically, charts and infographics are essential tools for clearly and concisely presenting data.
5. Keep it short:
Research has found that shorter videos are more likely to grab attention and are easy to remember. Create videos that are 6 minutes at maximum. This way, the content will be easily digestible, and the learners won’t feel overwhelmed.
6. Clear and straightforward content:
A clutter-free screen creates a visually appealing approach to learning. Keep visuals uncluttered, clean, and easy to understand. Use fonts that are clear with contrasting colors and intuitive graphics. With simple designs, learners will absorb information more quickly without distractions.
7. Pay attention to audio quality:
Even though visuals are the most essential part of video content, audio quality plays a vital role. The narration should be clear, crisp, and free from background noise. If budget allows, you can use a professional microphone and add background music or some sound effects to improve the overall experience. Good audio quality enhances the video quality as well, making it polished.
8. Implement adaptable design:
Learners usually access content on different devices. Ensure that the video you create is responsive regardless of the devices. It should work seamlessly with different screen sizes, whether on a desktop laptop or a mobile phone. This will help learners access the content from anywhere at any time.
9. Use interactive elements:
Interactive elements such as quizzes, polls, or challenges add more engagement to the video content. This helps encourage active participation. You can also provide immediate feedback to the learners, and learners can also implement their learning outcomes into their work.
10. Feedback is essential:
Before you finalize your video content, make sure everything is working correctly. All the elements function as they should, and the video loads correctly on different devices. Test the videos on different devices to be sure. Once it is done, take feedback from learners and identify areas for improvement. This way, your microlearning videos will be compelling and engaging over time.
Final Words:
Microlearning videos have many advantages, making them the ideal medium for delivering training and educational content. These benefits include cost and time-saving approaches, improved retention rates, and higher learner engagement. But to design engaging videos requires a thoughtful strategy. By remembering these tips and tricks, you can create captivating videos for learners and drive meaningful learning outcomes. Your content should be concise, charity, and high-quality visual and audio. With these steps, you can implement the power of microlearning videos and provide practical corporate training.