Enhancing Employee Performance with Microlearning: A Deep Dive into the 70:20:10 Model
In today's fast-paced work environment, traditional training methods often fall short in equipping employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their roles. Microlearning has emerged as an effective strategy to bridge this gap, offering on-the-job support and significantly enhancing employee performance. By delivering bite-sized, focused learning modules, microlearning aligns perfectly with the principles of the 70:20:10 model of learning and development. This model asserts that 70% of learning occurs through workplace experiences, 20% through social learning, and 10% via formal structured learning. Let’s explore how microlearning integrates with this model to optimize employee development.
The 70:20:10 Model: A Brief Overview
The 70:20:10 model, developed by Morgan McCall, Michael M. Lombardo, and Robert A. Eichinger at the Center for Creative Leadership, provides a robust framework for understanding how adults learn in professional settings. The model suggests that:
70% of learning comes from on-the-job experiences: This involves solving real-life problems, taking on challenging tasks, and gaining practical insights through daily activities.
20% of learning is derived from social interactions: This encompasses mentoring, coaching, collaboration, and learning through observation and feedback from peers and leaders.
10% of learning is from formal education: This includes structured courses, workshops, and training programs designed to impart specific knowledge and skills.
Microlearning and On-the-Job Experiences (70%)
Microlearning is inherently practical, making it an ideal tool for facilitating on-the-job learning. Here’s how it aligns with the 70% component of the model:
Immediate Application: Microlearning modules are typically concise and focused on specific skills or knowledge areas, allowing employees to quickly apply what they’ve learned to their work. This immediacy reinforces learning through real-world application, which is critical for retention and mastery.
Contextual Relevance: By delivering content that is directly relevant to an employee's daily tasks, microlearning ensures that the training is pertinent and immediately useful. For instance, a sales associate might receive a quick lesson on handling customer objections just before a client meeting.
Flexibility: Microlearning can be accessed anytime, anywhere, enabling employees to learn at the point of need. This flexibility ensures that learning doesn’t disrupt work but rather complements it, fitting seamlessly into the flow of the workday.
Microlearning and Social Learning (20%)
Microlearning also plays a significant role in facilitating social learning, the 20% aspect of the 70:20:10 model. Here’s how:
Collaborative Learning: Microlearning platforms often include features that encourage interaction, such as discussion forums, social media integration, and peer reviews. These features foster a collaborative learning environment where employees can share insights and best practices.
Mentorship and Coaching: Short, targeted learning modules can be used by mentors and coaches to support their guidance. For example, a mentor might assign a specific microlearning module to address a mentee’s area of improvement and then discuss the content in a follow-up session.
Feedback Mechanisms: Microlearning tools often incorporate feedback systems where learners can receive immediate input on their performance. This continuous feedback loop helps learners refine their skills and knowledge through social interaction.
Microlearning and Formal Education (10%)
While microlearning shines in practical and social contexts, it also complements formal structured learning, the 10% of the 70:20:10 model:
Reinforcement of Formal Training: Microlearning can be used to reinforce and supplement formal training sessions. After attending a workshop or a course, employees can engage with microlearning modules that reinforce key concepts and provide additional practice opportunities.
Pre-Training Preparation: Short modules can be used to prepare employees for formal training sessions, ensuring they have the foundational knowledge needed to maximize the benefits of the course.
Post-Training Follow-Up: Following formal training, microlearning can offer follow-up modules that help solidify the learning, address any lingering questions, and provide ongoing support.
Benefits of Microlearning in the 70:20:10 Framework
Increased Engagement: Microlearning’s bite-sized format is more engaging than traditional lengthy courses. Employees are more likely to complete and retain the information presented in short, focused bursts.
Higher Retention Rates: Research shows that spaced repetition and short learning sessions significantly improve information retention. Microlearning leverages these principles, helping employees remember and apply what they’ve learned.
Personalized Learning Paths: Microlearning allows for the creation of personalized learning experiences. Employees can choose modules that address their specific needs and learning preferences, fostering a more tailored and effective learning experience.
Cost-Effective: Microlearning is typically more cost-effective than traditional training programs. It requires fewer resources to develop and deliver and can be scaled easily across the organization.
Implementing Microlearning: Best Practices
To maximize the benefits of microlearning within the 70:20:10 framework, organizations should consider the following best practices:
Identify Key Learning Objectives: Start by identifying the specific skills and knowledge areas that need to be addressed. This ensures that each microlearning module is purposeful and aligned with organizational goals.
Leverage Technology: Utilize modern learning management systems (LMS) and mobile learning platforms to deliver microlearning content. These tools provide easy access, track progress, and offer analytics to measure effectiveness.
Integrate with Workflows: Ensure that microlearning is seamlessly integrated into the daily workflows of employees. This can be achieved by making content accessible through mobile devices, enabling learning at the point of need.
Encourage Social Learning: Foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing. Encourage employees to discuss and share microlearning content, participate in forums, and provide peer feedback.
Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and update microlearning content to ensure it remains relevant and effective. Gather feedback from employees to identify areas for improvement and to keep the learning experience fresh and engaging.
Conclusion
Microlearning, with its focus on delivering concise and relevant content, fits seamlessly within the 70:20:10 learning and development model. By supporting on-the-job learning, facilitating social interactions, and complementing formal education, microlearning not only enhances employee performance but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement. As organizations continue to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, microlearning offers a dynamic and effective solution to meet their evolving learning needs.
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The Microlearning Revolution: Elevate Your E-Learning Game
Are you looking for a way to up your game in e-learning? If so, you’re in luck! The Microlearning Revolution is happening, and it’s time to get on board. Microlearning, a method of delivering training content in small, digestible chunks, is transforming the landscape of corporate e-learning. With Microlearning, you can easily create customized training courses tailored to your business or educational needs. Offering an impressive variety of courses that fit every need and budget, Microlearning ensures that you don’t have to start from scratch. It provides ready-to-use templates and the tools necessary to develop engaging and effective training programs.
As Microlearning continues to spread like wildfire, the demand for corporate e-learning solutions that are both user-friendly and engaging is becoming more apparent. With the right tools in place, you can harness the power of Microlearning to grow your business. This article will explore some of the most popular microlearning tools and how they can help you achieve your e-learning objectives.
What is Microlearning?
Microlearning is an approach to training and education that focuses on delivering content in small, easily digestible chunks. These chunks can be consumed quickly, often in less than 10 minutes, and are designed to meet specific learning objectives. The format can include videos, quizzes, infographics, podcasts, and interactive modules, making it a versatile and flexible option for various learning styles and environments.
Why Microlearning?
Increased Engagement: Microlearning modules are short and focused, which helps maintain learners' attention. The varied formats cater to different learning preferences, making the experience more engaging.
Flexibility and Accessibility: Learners can access microlearning content on any device, at any time. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for busy professionals who need to fit learning into their schedules.
Improved Retention: Research shows that breaking information into smaller chunks improves knowledge retention. Microlearning leverages this by delivering bite-sized content that is easier to remember.
Cost-Effective: Microlearning often requires less time and resources to develop compared to traditional training programs. The use of templates and pre-made content can further reduce costs.
Customization: Microlearning allows for the creation of highly customized training programs that address specific business needs or learning objectives.
Implementing Microlearning in Your Organization
To successfully integrate microlearning into your corporate e-learning strategy, follow these steps:
Identify Learning Objectives: Determine the specific skills or knowledge that learners need to acquire. Clear objectives will guide the development of microlearning content.
Choose the Right Tools: Select a microlearning platform that aligns with your organizational needs and learning objectives. Consider factors such as ease of use, customization options, and analytics capabilities.
Develop Engaging Content: Use a variety of formats to keep learners engaged. Incorporate videos, infographics, quizzes, and interactive modules to cater to different learning preferences.
Leverage Templates and Pre-Made Content: Save time and resources by utilizing ready-made templates and content libraries. Customize these materials to fit your specific needs.
Promote Accessibility: Ensure that microlearning content is accessible on multiple devices, allowing learners to engage with the material anytime, anywhere.
Monitor and Evaluate: Use analytics tools to track learner progress and measure the effectiveness of your microlearning programs. Gather feedback from learners to continuously improve the content and delivery methods.
Encourage Continuous Learning: Foster a culture of continuous learning by regularly updating content and encouraging learners to engage with new material.
Case Study: Successful Microlearning Implementation
Consider a multinational company looking to improve its customer service training. Traditional training methods were time-consuming and ineffective, leading to inconsistent service quality. By implementing a microlearning strategy using EdApp, the company achieved the following:
Enhanced Engagement: Customer service representatives found the short, interactive modules more engaging than lengthy training sessions.
Improved Knowledge Retention: The bite-sized lessons and regular reinforcement helped employees retain information better.
Cost Savings: The company saved on training costs by using pre-made templates and reducing the need for in-person training sessions.
Increased Flexibility: Employees could access training materials on their mobile devices, allowing them to learn at their own pace and on their own schedule.
Conclusion
The Microlearning Revolution offers a powerful solution for modern e-learning needs. By delivering content in short, focused bursts, microlearning enhances engagement, improves knowledge retention, and offers flexibility that traditional training methods cannot match. With the right tools and strategies in place, organizations can leverage microlearning to create customized, effective training programs that drive business success. Now is the time to embrace the microlearning revolution and elevate your e-learning game.
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