#IDIODC Instructional Designers In Offices Drinking Coffee Rethinking Microlearning: Moving Beyond 'Short and Cheap'
Oct 10, 2025
Robyn A. Defelice, a learning and development strategist and co-author of 'Microlearning: Short and Sweet', dives into the complexities of microlearning. She debunks the myth that microlearning is simply fast and easy, emphasizing its strategic implementation. Robyn outlines critical readiness elements for organizations, discusses cognitive load in design, and shares a success story from sales onboarding. Listeners will gain valuable insights on aligning learning initiatives with organizational goals and the essential dos and don'ts for effective microlearning.
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Microlearning Isn't A Magic Shortcut
- Microlearning is not automatically fast, cheap, and easy; poorly executed short content produces "empty learning."
- Thoughtful microlearning requires planning, spacing, and design to influence real performance over time.
Engagement Trumps Length
- Short content doesn't equal attention; people binge long-form when engaged by story and relevance.
- Design microlearning for a compelling hook and actionable transfer, not just brevity.
Define Microlearning Before You Build
- Ask stakeholders to define what they mean by "microlearning" before you commit to a solution.
- Use those definitions to steer the conversation toward outcomes, not formats.
