What are some ways to use micro-videos to keep learners engaged in online courses?

Micro-videos are like short learning clips. Think of them as quick videos, only a few minutes or even seconds long. Instead of giving you a lot of information all at once, they share small bits, making learning fast and easy. It's like having tiny pieces of knowledge you can fit into your day, perfect for learning during a quick break or while waiting. These short videos are made to grab your attention, share important ideas, and keep learning interesting and simple. Whether you have a short break or are waiting somewhere, micro-videos let you learn a bit, making it easy to squeeze learning into your day.

In the context of training or education, the term "micro-videos" can refer to short instructional videos or learning resources that deliver specific pieces of information or skills in a concise and focused manner. These videos are designed to be brief, typically ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes in length, making them suitable for quick learning and easy consumption.

Micro-videos are really short video clips which last only a few seconds to a few minutes. They're bite-sized videos designed to share a specific message in a short amount of time period. We may use them lot on social media, in online classes, and for marketing. Because these short videos are great at grasping attention in our fast-paced digital world. Especially in online learning, the concept of micro-videos can be used to break down complex topics into short segments which is easy-to-understand. Those are simple and short segments that quickly explain things, show examples, or give a brief overview. As it is short, it fits well with how people like to learn today – quick and to the point.

Micro videos should contain nuggets of information which are need to know details, best practices, how tos, quick tips, etc.,.these are like directly linked with current role, and can impact the task. Application of learnt concepts will enhance the retention and progress.

As video clips are short and snappy, people are interested on it. It is perfect for catching attention in our fast world. Users can watch them on their phone anytime, making learning super convenient. They get straight to the point without overwhelming you, making it easy to understand key info. Micro-videos look cool with visuals, making learning more interesting. They work in lots of places like online classes or social media. And they can watch them over and over to remember things better. Making them is often affordable, and they fit well with different topics and learning styles. So, micro-videos are a quick, engaging, and effective way to learn and share information.

Within a corporate work setting, micro-videos allow adult learners the opportunity to better prioritize mandatory training within their busy workdays. Adult learners often thrive when their learning is self-directed, and they have the choice of when they will engage with our content. Micro-videos still provide learners with clear objectives, engaging content, and build on their lack of knowledge/skills, but in manageable "bite-sized" chunks.

I have found it particularly useful to use video recording tools like Loom and Screencastify to give a short presentation sharing my screen. The editing tools are user-friendly and versatile. Both allow you to explore video analytics. When it has finally sinked in in our perfectionist mind that "perfect" is the enemy of "well-done", then we start going for simple tools that can get our valuable information out into the world as soon as possible. There will always be time to enhance the video, improve the lighting and storytelling. For beginners, a must!

I have used Micro-videos in multiple training modalities. They are great as pre-requisite content, and have participants thinking deeper about concepts we may explore within ILT or vILT sessions. I have additionally employed them within both E-Learning and ILT courses as an opportunity to differentiate the presentation of the content--I often sandwich the micro-videos with additional discussions and activities to allow all learning types the opportunity to think deeper about the content.

Microlearning provides learners with focused, quick insights in an easily digestible format. For best practices they should be brief yet focused, targeting one specific learning objective within 2-3 minutes. Use high-quality production, clear audio, good lighting, and sharp visuals. Engage learners with relatable storytelling and use visuals like graphics and animations for precise communication. It's also important to be consistent in style, which aids recognition and branding. Ensure accessibility with captions and descriptive audio. Integrating them into broader learning strategies enhances their educational impact. Also, be sure to update them regularly and incorporate feedback as appropriate.

Micro-videos can be powerful tools for keeping learners engaged in online courses. Similar to your favorite junk food, Micro-videos should be used in moderation. Some of the best ways to utilize these videos are for visual demonstrations of practical skills, discussion starters in forums, and case studies or examples to illustrate how concepts can be applied in different scenarios. A few simple ways you can incorporate micro-videos are by integrating them into interactive quizzes or challenges, in Intro or review of the courses, and for regular updates and reminders. The goal is to strategically incorporate micro-vides into various aspects of the course.