Micro learning ( English microlearning ) is learning a small amount of material in a short period of time. Most often, the term is used in the context of electronic training formats.
Micro-learning as an approach is the concept of absorbing any knowledge in small units. This approach can be used to acquire professional (production) skills. Systems for assessing the results of micro-learning take into account many different factors, and they can be adapted to the needs of a particular training event (Patil UK, 1999, Patil UK, 2000). Micro-learning techniques are also suitable for lagging students (Patil UK, 2005).
Content
Interpretations
- the microcharacter of learning may be due to a small amount of material (microcontent) (Mosel 2005);
- micro-learning can occur in situations where the assimilation of the material is limited in time (Masie 2006):
- micro-learning can be considered a sequence of training procedures, individually proceeding quickly enough;
- in the broad sense, micro-learning is a format of non-formal learning, when a student acquires knowledge in small increments.
Options
In developing micro-learning programs, the following process characteristics are relevant (Hug 2005):
- time;
- educational material;
- syllabus;
- form of knowledge;
- procedure specification;
- the availability of auxiliary materials;
- type of study.
Examples
- reading a paragraph, email or short message;
- listening to an audio file or watching a video clip;
- use of flash cards (short-term demonstration of a card with certain information);
- memorizing a word, - in the native language or a foreign language - of a definition or formula;
- sorting objects in a certain established order;
- selection of an answer option from the proposed list;
- the use of microgames
- composition of a poem.
See also
- Training
- Knowledge management
Notes
- Gassler, Gerhard; Hug, Theo & Glahn, Christian (2004): Integrated Micro Learning - An outline of the basic method and first results. In: Auer, Michael E. & Auer, Ursula (eds.): International Conference on Interactive Computer Aided Learning, ICL 2004, Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, 2004, Villach, Austria (CD-ROM).
- Gstrein, Silvia & Hug, Theo (2005): Integrated Micro Learning during Access Delays. A new approach to second language learning. In: Zaphiris, Panayiotis (ed.): User-centered computer assisted language learning. Hershey: Idea Group Publishing, pp. 152-175.
- Hagleitner, Wolfgang; Drexler, Arthur; Hug, Theo (2006). Evaluation of a prototypic version of Knowledge Pulse in the context of a management course. Paper presented at the Multimedia Applications in Education Conference, 2006, September 4–6, FH Joanneum, Graz, Austria.
- Hug, Theo; Lindner, Martin; Bruck, Peter A. (eds.) (2006): Microlearning: Emerging Concepts, Practices and Technologies after e-Learning . Proceedings of Microlearning 2005. Innsbruck: Innsbruck University Press, 2006.
- Hug, Theo (2005): Micro Learning and Narration . Exploring possibilities of utilization of narrations and storytelling for the designing of "micro units" and didactical micro-learning arrangements. Paper presented at the fourth Media in Transition conference, May 6–8, 2005, MIT, Cambridge (MA), USA.
- Masie, Elliott (2006): Nano-Learning: Miniaturization of Design .
- Mosel, Stephan (2005): Self Directed Learning With Personal Publishing and Microcontent . Constructivist Approach and Insights for Institutional Implementations. Paper presented at the Microlearning 2005 conference, June 23–24, 2005, Innsbruck, Austria.
- Thalheimer, Will (2013). Subscription Learning (website). http://www.subscriptionlearning.com/
- Weber, Charles M. (2003): Rapid Learning in High Velocity Environments . Ph.D. thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) / Cambridge (USA).