Microlearning: Enhancing student engagement in higher education

Online educators have the opportunity to enhance student engagement while helping students develop valuable independent learning skills in the virtual classroom. Microlearning, an approach that delivers content in small, focused chunks, allows students to engage with the material in manageable segments, promoting better understanding and retention [1, 2]. Defined as “an instructional unit that provides a short engagement in an activity intentionally designed to elicit a specific outcome from the participant,” microlearning supports personalized learning by enabling students to navigate material quickly and revisit concepts as needed, which is particularly beneficial in diverse online settings [2, 3]. This method actively involves students in their learning process and provides instructors with opportunities to emphasize higher-order thinking activities [1]. By making content more accessible, students can master complex concepts independently, fostering self-regulated learning that fits into their busy schedules [4]. Although microlearning is especially effective in online settings, it can also enhance engagement in face-to-face or hybrid classrooms when integrated with the flipped classroom model.

Benefits of Microlearning

By leveraging the pervasiveness of mobile technology, microlearning modules can be conveniently accessed on smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This method supports shifting to a more fluid, self-directed learning environment where students engage with educational material at their own pace and availability. The versatility of digital platforms also enables microlearning to include interactive elements such as quizzes, short videos, and interactive infographics, which enhance engagement and facilitate a more profound understanding of complex concepts [5, 6]. Adapting to the fast-paced digital culture, this approach improves the educational experience by making learning more flexible. Each micro-lesson can be designed as a complete learning experience or built progressively on previous topics, optimizing retention and understanding through focused and strategic content delivery.

Micro-lessons are an instructional strategy designed to meet the goals of online instructors' and students' needs by delivering content in small, manageable segments, each typically focusing on a single learning outcome. A well-designed micro-lesson features user-friendly navigation, clear guidance, and interactive content, significantly enhancing student satisfaction in online learning environments. This approach fosters a more engaging and satisfying learning experience for students while increasing comprehension and content retention [7, 8]. The short lessons create experiences that utilize the unique capabilities of online platforms to reshape how students interact with information [9]. Incorporating microlearning strategies that align with the intrinsic motivations of adult learners fosters a more engaging and practical educational experience. This self-directed learning model encourages students to take initiative in their learning journey, enhancing motivation and critical thinking skills.

Enhancing critical thinking is particularly effective when using diverse activities that assist students with active recall and critical thinking. Reinforcing knowledge and strengthening their ability to apply new knowledge critically in various contexts is a key skill needed in higher education. Micro-lessons significantly improve students' comprehension of challenging concepts, boost their exam performance, and promote successful course completion [6, 10]. Helping students who struggle with learning the material enhances their engagement, comprehension, and retention of challenging concepts. Students can make well-informed decisions and solve problems effectively by honing critical thinking skills acquired in micro-lessons. 

Development and Planning

Creating concise content directly aligned with learning objectives is crucial for effective micro-lessons (see Figure 1). The lesson's structure should be simple and clear, with a straightforward flow from introduction to summary. This ensures that specific learning outcomes are met by intentionally choosing an appropriate delivery method, such as videos, interactive modules, or short presentations tailored to the material and the audience's learning preferences. Utilizing engaging resources, like visuals and interactive activities, helps maintain learner interest and reinforce key concepts. Interaction should be integrated into the lesson through activities or discussions to foster engagement and provide immediate feedback [11].

Figure 1. Micro-lesson development is tailored to learner needs.

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Microlearning Strategies

Microlearning has emerged as a powerful strategy to enhance educational experiences by delivering content in concise, manageable segments. Various instructional strategies can be employed to maximize the benefits of microlearning, including critical thinking exercises, videos, lectures, and choice boards. These methods cater to different learning preferences and ensure a well-rounded and engaging educational journey. Critical thinking exercises challenge students to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information, promoting deeper understanding and retention. Videos provide visual and auditory stimuli, making complex concepts easier to grasp and more memorable. Lectures offer structured insights and expert perspectives, enhancing knowledge acquisition when kept brief and focused. Choice boards empower students to take control of their learning by allowing them to select from various activities, fostering autonomy and motivation. By integrating these diverse strategies, educators can create dynamic and effective microlearning experiences that cater to the varied needs of their students, ultimately enhancing engagement, comprehension, and overall educational outcomes.

Strategy: Short Videos

Micro-videos are a compact and focused form of educational delivery designed to convey a single, clear concept or learning point in a short period, typically one to five minutes [5] (see Figure 2). This teaching approach is efficient in online and blended learning environments where attention spans might be limited, and learners may benefit from quick, targeted bursts of information. These videos serve various educational purposes, including introducing new topics, summarizing key points, providing step-by-step instructions, or reinforcing learning through repetition. Learners can access these short sessions on-demand, revisiting the content to reinforce knowledge or clarify concepts.

Figure 2. Micro-videos provide a short and efficient way for learners to access content.

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Strategy: Micro-Lectures

Micro-lectures offer several significant benefits to online higher education platforms (see Figure 3). Identified for their efficiency and effectiveness in content delivery, these brief, focused lectures enhance student engagement by providing concise, targeted information that is easier to digest and retain [12, 13]. Micro-lectures' flexibility supports diverse learning styles and schedules, accommodating students requiring more flexible learning environments due to work or other commitments. This adaptability is crucial for increasing accessibility and inclusivity in education, making learning materials available and manageable for all students, regardless of their circumstances [13]. 

Figure 3. Micro-lectures are brief and focused lectures that enhance student engagement.

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Strategy: Choice Board

Using choice boards for micro-lessons is another innovative approach that maximizes the benefits of this educational tool (see Figure 4). In online higher education, integrating choice boards into micro-lessons can offer students various ways to engage with and demonstrate their understanding of the material in a brief yet impactful manner. For instance, in a higher education course on digital marketing, a choice board for a micro-lesson might include activities such as analyzing a case study, creating a social media campaign, or developing a marketing strategy for a hypothetical product [14]. This method ensures that students remain engaged during the micro-lesson, as they can choose tasks that best suit their learning preferences and interests.

Figure 4. Choice boards offer innovative approaches for students to engage with the curriculum.

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Conclusion

Delivering content in brief, focused segments that align with modern digital habits makes it easier to meet the diverse learning needs of students. By incorporating mobile technology and interactive elements, micro-lessons effectively support self-directed learning, improve comprehension, and encourage critical thinking [1, 4].  While microlearning offers a dynamic and flexible approach to online education, it has challenges. Its potential to enhance engagement and motivation is clear, but ensuring students understand complex topics deeply requires thoughtful instructional design [1]. Additionally, microlearning’s concise nature can sometimes hinder a deep understanding of complex topics, as learners may find it challenging to gain comprehensive knowledge in small segments [1]. To overcome this challenge, the effectiveness of microlearning relies heavily on the quality and diversity of instructional design, along with regular checks for understanding. Incorporating various instructional methods, such as interactive quizzes, reflective questions, and real-world applications, helps reinforce learning and ensures students are processing and retaining the material [4]. By integrating these strategies, educators can create a more comprehensive learning experience that supports deeper understanding while maintaining microlearning's flexibility and adaptability.

References

About the Author

Dr. LaVonne Riggs-Zeigen is an esteemed educator and dedicated faculty member at Grand Canyon University (GCU), where she serves as an online full-time faculty member. In addition to her role at GCU, she enriches the learning experience as an adjunct instructor for the College of Education. Dr. Riggs-Zeigen is not only a mild-to-moderate special education teacher but also holds a doctorate in educational leadership (Ed.D.), testament to her commitment to academic excellence and leadership in education. With her extensive experience in special education, Dr. Riggs-Zeigen is passionate about empowering students and fostering inclusive learning environments. Outside her academic pursuits, she enjoys engaging with the education community to support innovative teaching strategies and holistic education practices.