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Aleksandra Magnitskaia

Trends in Adult Education: Microlearning

Updated: Nov 30

During the recent resume update, I noticed that I had taken about ten different Courses for the last two years. Some to upgrade my technical skills, some to learn something new in the industry, but all seemed beneficial and relevant to stay current with the trends. "This is it," I thought. "A vast new reality where knowledge is never enough and continuous learning becomes essential to your professional life."


Indeed, professionals must constantly learn to fight competition and keep up with technology, and many ways to learn are available. Microlearning is among the leaders, alongside many tools for skill upgrading due to its practicality and efficiency. The mobile learning market is predicted to increase from $2.02B in 2021 to $7.62B by 2028 (Bahuguna, 2023), highlighting the growing preference for this way of learning.

Microlearning is a structured instructional approach that breaks information into manageable "chinks" helping learners to absorb and process new information effectively. Learners are increasingly drawn to microlearning and prefer it over traditional, lengthy e-learning courses. It is tailored to individual needs in a lighter, more flexible format that enables learners to revise the topics while managing multiple tasks.


Researchers are also turning their attention to microlearning. For instance, Slivnaya et al. (2023) highlight the adaptability of microlearning. Although the research focuses on learning foreign languages through microlearning, the authors state that microlearning generally offers flexible and accessible learning opportunities that benefit adult learners' busy schedules. Microlearning aligns with andragogical principles, delivering concise, focused content that respects learners' independence and previous experience. Using short, targeted learning modules, microlearning increases engagement and enhances information retention, Slivnaya et al. (2023) say. These insights prove microlearning's effectiveness in meeting adult learners' needs.

However, some researchers warn that there is still much to pay attention to and that this approach should be used carefully. The article "A Systematic Review of Mobile-Based Microlearning in Adult Learner Contexts" (Moore, Hwang & Moses, 2024) examines the effectiveness of mobile-based microlearning for adult learners. The authors analyze various studies to identify best practices for implementing microlearning. The analysis concludes that aligning microlearning strategies with learners' objectives, creating interactive and engaging content, and providing opportunities for self-assessment are crucial for the practical usage of microlearning. The article stresses the need for further research to optimize the usage of microlearning in adult education.

From the learning designer's point of view, microlearning is extremely interesting as it allows us to look at it from two angles: we design it as instructors, and at the same time, we use it as adult learners. Microlearning seems very attractive to me as a learning tool as it perfectly accommodates my learner's needs. However, as a trainer, I realize I should learn more about new digital tools, platforms, apps, and content creation software. Staying updated on emerging technologies like AI, gamification, and interactive media is essential to creating engaging microlearning modules and is crucial to thriving in learning design.


References: Moore, R. L., Hwang, W., & Moses, J. D. (2024). A systematic review of mobile-based microlearning in adult learner contexts. Educational Technology & Society, 27(1), 137–146.


Bahuguna, S. (2023, September 15). Digital learning trends: Mobile first. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/digital-learning-trends-mobile-first-subhash-bahuguna/


Slivnaya, E. M., Borisenko, V. A., & Samofalova, M. V. (2023). Micro-learning principles in teaching EFL in the structure of supplementary and further education: Andragogical aspect. Training, Learning and Culture, 7(4), 46–53. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/micro-learning-principles-in-teaching-efl-in-the-structure-of-supplementary-and-further-education-andragogical-aspect


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