Technology is quickly changing everything around us, from our entertainment, to our healthcare and our work, as numerous industries are being revolutionized by the latest tech discoveries. However, there is one important area of life that is yet to be improved by technology, and that area is education. Sure, we now have access to a lot of information due to the internet, but our children still study after the conventional educational model. Microlearning is a new concept that aims to revolutionize the way that we see and approach education, and if it is used right, it can be the right tool that will prepare our youth for the future, and which will help older generations adapt to the new challenges of the modern world.
1. What is microlearning?
This concept aims to replace the traditional educational model that forces students to study for several hours per day. Instead, it proposes a new way of learning. It uses bite-sized lessons that are meant to help students retain more information in less time. The lessons are structured on a daily plan, as short bursts of content with a lot of impact. It has been clinically proven that learning small lessons at a higher frequency is more efficient that studying large pieces of information at a low frequency. To make the learning process even more effective, micro-learning is often combined with spaced repetition.
2. Why we need it
In today’s advanced society, things are moving faster than ever. This means that you can no longer rely on a classic 3-year college education to support your career for the rest of your life. Since new information appears each day in each industry, the workplace is changing faster than ever. Many of the old jobs are rendered useless, and new jobs are always appearing. To be able to survive in this competitive job market, people need to constantly educate themselves. But how do you find the time for education, when you already have a job? It’s simple! You rely on small daily lessons, that you can access anytime and from anywhere in the world, directly from your smartphone or your computer. The lessons can often be personalized to fit the needs of each student.
3. Advantages
- Time flexibility – Time management is a big problem for adults, especially for millennials that want to experience everything. However, no matter how busy they are, anyone can spare a few minutes per day to invest in their professional development.
- Accessibility – While conventional educational institutions force students to attend classes in specific locations, micro-learning can be used anywhere in the world, as long as you have a smart device and internet access.
- Personalized classes – The traditional educational model relies on general information, that may or may not be useful to the students. However, when you gain control of your education, you can decide exactly what you want to learn, according to the challenges that you face at your job.
