Getting a microlearning lesson right can be quite tricky. What we need is a clear blueprint that guides us through it.
That’s where a microlearning map can help.
The question is how to go about it. Is there a format that we can use?
Well, let’s get started…
Format for a Microlearning Map
The first thing you need to decide is the purpose of the training – is it to supplement existing training, reinforce or augment it, or remediate learning?
Once we are clear about that, we can move on to create a microlearning map. A format makes things easier by keeping you on track to create a specific, focused lesson.
The format has 5 elements:
- Task: The activity or task to be performed
- Define the task clearly so that the content specifically addresses it.
- Performance: The desired outcome
- Identify the expected performance and the specific KPI (Key Performance Indicator).
- Objective(s): What will be addressed by the microlearning lesson
- Frame the objectives (ideally 1, must be less than 3).
- Motivational aspect: Why the learner will want to go through the lesson
- Implement rewards that will help motivate learners.
- Approach: The way the topic is dealt with
- Decide on the strategy (scenarios, gamification, etc.).
Let’s look at an example…
A Sample Case Study
ABC & Co. is a financial services B2C company with huge customer service operations. Tasks and activities need to be performed for over 50 different processes. Customer issues need to be understood, resolved, and communicated.
Lesser the lead times or delays in resolving the issue, the better. The company needs to continually come up with ways to secure higher customer satisfaction scores.
After all, customers need faster turnaround times, accurate decisions, and customer friendly processes.
Catering to a wide range of financial services, the company wants to continually improve their processes using the Japanese philosophy ‘Kaizen’ (to improve or change for the better). Kaizen uses tools and methods to support business, one such method being Kanban.
The company decides to train their employees on implementing Kanban for continuous improvement, to use the lean workflow management method to define, manage, and improve their services. They want to enable all manager and teams to visualize their work to maximize efficiencies.
The 1-day training on Kanban practices discussed 6 core practices.
The actual 4 step flow to implement Kanban was taught in the classroom using Kanban boards that are an important aspect of the implementation process.
Participants are expected to actively take part in the implementation process. The company realized that a 1-day training would be of no help if not reinforced properly. So, a serious microlearning effort was initiated and a microlearning map was created to clarify what the initiative was meant to do, and how!
The Microlearning Map
The goal was to make learning fun, easy, and continuous. Microlearning fit the bill perfectly to improve learners’ understanding, recall, and implementation of Kanban. It would be most effective to supplement the existing training on Kanban methodology.
The learning objectives for 24 microlearning lessons were established, and the content with relevant examples and scenarios gathered. At least 2 microlearning lessons were planned to be launched every two weeks.
The microlearning map for the training looks like this:
| Department: Financial services company | Job position: Finance manager |
| KPI-segment Customer impacting process operation | Key Performance Indicator: Learn to use Kanban lean workflow management method for on-going process improvements. |
| Task | Over 200 Managers of 50 customerservice operations teams in a financial services company need to to implement process improvements for higher customer satisfaction. |
|---|---|
| Performance | A specific scenerio related to use of Kanban methodology shown on the screen. The learner is required to accurately choose the most appropriate course of action within 5 minutes, and put things correctly in the Kanban board. |
| Objective-(less than 3) |
|
| Motivational aspect | Using a gaming to depict the scenario, and choosing options. Right choices to be rewarded with a score/points. Based on progress, higher level of difficult situations must be given to the learner to enhance skills. |
| Approach | Informal Gamimg Infographics |
| Intended Use Case scenario-Remediate [For different scenerios, apply the appropriate Use Case scenerio-supplement, reinforce, ougment and remediate] | |
With this blueprint ready, production becomes easy.
To conclude, a microlearning map helps align the objectives, the assessments, and the outcome of each lesson. This blueprint is easy to create and enables effective implementation of your microlearning efforts!
