The widening skills gap poses a significant challenge as technology rapidly evolves. In a post-pandemic world, organizations are urgently seeking effective training methods to ensure their workforce remains competitive. Traditional corporate training often struggles to meet the needs of today’s learners, particularly when it comes to improving knowledge retention and employee engagement.
Enter microlearning and cumulative learning – two innovative approaches that embed daily learning into workflows without disrupting productivity. Microlearning focuses on delivering bite-sized pieces of information that are easy to digest, while cumulative learning compounds these short lessons over time, ensuring long-term retention.
In this post we will explore the benefits of microlearning, see why cumulative learning should be integrated into everyday routines and learn how these strategies are crucial to addressing the growing skills gap.
But first, let’s explore what these terms – microlearning and cumulative learning – actually mean and why they are so effective in modern workplace learning.
What is Microlearning and Cumulative Learning?
Microlearning is an innovative approach to employee training that delivers content in small, bite-sized lessons. These lessons are designed to fit seamlessly into any work schedule. Unlike traditional training programs that require hours or even days, microlearning focuses on delivering relevant learning content in shorter time frames, which increases knowledge retention and reduces the likelihood of information overload.
Cumulative learning, on the other hand, is about building on what is learned daily. Think of it like compound interest – each new lesson adds value, building upon prior knowledge. This approach ensures that employees consistently remember and apply what they’ve learned to their daily tasks. Cumulative learning incorporates microlearning techniques into a routine, improving long-term retention and employee engagement.
While microlearning delivers new information in manageable segments, cumulative learning ensures that these lessons are reinforced and expanded upon over time.
Together, they create a powerful combination that promotes continuous improvement and helps employees stay ahead of industry trends.
The Benefits of Microlearning in the Workplace
Now that we’ve defined these terms let’s see how microlearning can specifically benefit your organization:
#1 Improved Knowledge Retention
One key benefit of microlearning is its ability to improve knowledge retention. Traditional training methods often overwhelm employees with large amounts of information at once, making it harder for them to retain and apply what they’ve learned. Microlearning, however, delivers content in bite-sized pieces, making it easier for employees to focus on key concepts and retain information over time.
Studies show that microlearning can effectively combat the “forgetting curve” – a phenomenon where individuals forget up to 70% of new information within 24 hours. By reinforcing learning through daily, brief segments, companies can ensure that employees retain more of what they learn and apply it in their day-to-day tasks.
#2 Increased Employee Engagement
Keeping employees engaged in learning can be challenging in today’s fast-paced work environments. Microlearning lessons are specifically designed to capture attention, using 1- to 2-minute videos and gamified elements to make learning more interactive and enjoyable. Instead of requiring employees to sit through long training sessions, microlearning provides focused bursts of information that fits in the flow of work.
Microlearning platforms also incorporate gamification, social rewards and recognition. Employees are motivated to complete their daily learning sessions because they can see their progress and receive recognition for their achievements. This not only improves engagement but also leads to high employee satisfaction. And happy employees are more likely to stay, saving employers the headache and costs of turnover.
#3 Flexibility and Scalability
Another significant benefit of microlearning is its flexibility and scalability. Unlike traditional corporate training programs (which may require in-person attendance or scheduled times), microlearning modules can be accessed anytime, anywhere. This allows companies to deliver training to employees regardless of their location or time zone, making it a scalable solution for both small teams and large enterprises.
For example, industries like manufacturing and construction – where employees are spread across different shifts and locations – benefit immensely from mobile learning solutions. Tyfoom’s platform ensures that employees, whether in the office or on the go, can engage with their microlearning content in a way that suits their schedule.
#4 Cost-Effectiveness and Time Efficiency
Finally, microlearning offers a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to traditional training methods. Long, in-person training sessions often require employees to take time away from work, resulting in lost productivity. Conversely, microlearning is designed to fit into daily workflows, minimizing disruption and ensuring employees stay focused.
Microlearning also reduces the need for extensive training materials and logistical coordination. By transitioning to digital, video-based microlearning platforms, companies can save on the costs associated with travel, accommodations and lost work hours. The result is a more efficient use of company time and resources.
Microlearning provides improved knowledge retention, increased employee engagement and a flexible, cost-effective training solution. This approach offers significant advantages for businesses looking to upskill their workforce without disrupting day-to-day operations.
But how can companies begin to implement microlearning into their existing training programs?
How to Integrate Microlearning into Your Organization
Employers looking to incorporate microlearning into their company’s training programs should focus on making learning a natural part of the daily workflow. This can be achieved by delivering short, focused learning sessions that fit into employees’ existing routines without overwhelming them or disrupting productivity.
A microlearning platform simplifies this process by curating relevant and accessible microlearning courses. Employees can complete these lessons during brief moments of downtime. Here are some practical steps to integrate continuous learning into your organization:
#1 Build a Culture of Continuous Learning
A successful transition to microlearning goes beyond just implementing a few training sessions; it requires fostering a culture of continuous learning. Employees who are encouraged to learn daily view training as a positive and integral part of their workday. This, in turn, leads to better learner retention and overall performance improvement.
One key strategy for building this learning culture is offering daily reinforcement of skills. Cumulative learning plays a crucial role here, ensuring employees build upon the knowledge they gain daily. By delivering these lessons in a microlearning app, businesses can ensure that learning is not just a one-time event, but a continuous process that drives long-term success.
#2 Close the Skills Gap with Microlearning
The skills gap is a pressing issue for many industries where rapid advancements are outpacing the workforce’s ability to keep up.
One of the most effective ways to close this gap is through microlearning and cumulative learning. These learning strategies allow employees to update and refine their skills continuously without disrupting daily work routines. By delivering microlearning sessions every day, businesses can ensure that their employees stay current with the latest knowledge and practices without requiring any time away from work.
#3 Stay on Top of Industry Challenges
Employees may struggle to keep pace with ever-evolving industry challenges, and without continuous learning, companies can expect productivity losses and safety concerns.
Microlearning offers a flexible and scalable solution, ensuring employees remain engaged and up-to-date with the necessary skills. A well-designed learning platform, delivering training content in bite-sized segments, can help companies continuously train their workforce and stay ahead of the competition.
Transform Your Training with the Benefits of Microlearning
The combination of microlearning and cumulative learning offers a practical solution that enhances knowledge retention, boosts employee engagement and ensures a future-ready workforce. Tyfoom helps businesses seamlessly integrate microlearning into daily workflows, boosting retention and overall productivity.
To learn how cumulative learning and microlearning can help you close the skills gap and create a competitive edge, download Tyfoom’s comprehensive white paper:
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Schedule a demo today to explore how our platform delivers video-based microlearning that fits effortlessly into your employees’ daily routines.