Maximum Results from Microlearning

The November/December issue of American Libraries includes a brief column focused on academic insights, with this issue's title Small Victories on Microlearning. In this column, the author Lorin M. Flores (librarian at Texas A&M - Corpus Christi) discusses the possibilities of microlearning for professional development. Earlier coverage of Lorin's work, Bite-Sized Professional Development: Microcourses boost engagement at a library retreat, provides additional information for anyone interested.

We all know that microcredentials have been gaining traction as alternative ways for people to advance in their skills or change careers without investing the years required for a full degree. Lorin describes microlearning as very short online courses where information is condensed into "bite-sized chunks of information for maximum cognitive impact." "Successfully implementing a professional development microcourse begins with planning the pedagogy, technology, and instructional content. The emphasis on brevity means that the format is best suited for teaching to a single learning outcome that’s focused on narrow topics."

Getting even more specific, Lorin describes how their library "successfully implemented a microcourse series designed to teach digital and information literacy to all first-year seminar students. At the time, we were struck by how microlearning resembles the way most of us consume information on social media. When the opportunity came up to plan the annual Instruction Librarian Retreat, reenvisioning the retreat as a microcourse series seemed like a natural first step toward establishing a vibrant educational trend."

As we approach the end of the fall semester and get ready to step into the whirlwind of finals, commencements, and several major holidays, think about your own professional development needs and look around for any microlearning opportunities that could fit into your plans. Sometimes 10 minutes is all we have time and brainpower to absorb! Be kind to yourself even as you commit to professional growth and a standard of excellence. It doesn't have to all be done at once.

All the best,
Holly