As a training leader, you know the value of a well-crafted, comprehensive eLearning course. Some subjects indeed require depth and extended engagement, but you also recognize that not every learning objective needs to be met with lengthy sessions.

Perhaps you've noticed a trend: employees are increasingly seeking quicker, more focused learning experiences that fit seamlessly into their busy schedules.

This doesn't imply that your detailed courses are ineffective—far from it! Instead, it highlights an opportunity to amplify their impact by adapting some of this content into microlearning formats.

So, how do you transform existing long-form eLearning courses into microlearning? This is a common question we often hear, and we're here to provide some clarity and guidance.

But before we jump into the tips, let’s clarify what microlearning really is and what it means to convert your traditional long-form eLearning courses into this format.

You may have heard that microlearning simply involves slicing up longer courses into tiny, scattered segments. Some critics also argue that it's an overly simplistic approach that fails to capture the depth of more complex topics.

Let’s correct these misconceptions: microlearning isn't about diluting the quality or stripping away the depth of your courses. Rather, it focuses on making content more accessible and engaging by delivering it in concise, focused segments.

Microlearning provides quick, effective learning bursts that fit conveniently into the learner’s busy schedule.

This method requires a thoughtful reduction of content to its most impactful points, ensuring that learners can easily understand and apply these insights promptly in their daily activities.

In this article, we’ll also share four practical tips on how to transform your long-form eLearning courses into engaging microlessons that retain the essence of your learning goals while adapting to today’s learner needs.

Let's get into it!

1) Cut Out the Fluff: Where's The Gold?

So, you want to turn your marathon eLearning courses into a sprint?

Think of it like spring cleaning for your content. It's all about finding the gold amid the clutter.

First things first: pinpoint the problem you're tackling. Is it a gap in knowledge, skill, confidence, or behavior?

Once you've got that locked down, focus on the essentials—the "must-knows" that directly address this issue.

Now, as you sift through your content, keep asking yourself: "What does the learner really need to know to bridge the gap between their current skills and where they need to be?" This question is your clutter-clearing mantra.

But hey, not everything that’s lengthy is fluff. If you stumble upon a detailed explanation that's crucial, think about giving it a makeover.

For instance, could a complex idea be better served as an infographic? Visuals can zoom in on what's most important, making the learning not just faster but more focused.

Just remember, any visual you use has to earn its keep. Slapping a pretty picture that doesn’t add value is like decorating a house you're about to demolish—pointless and a waste of time, especially for learners on the go.

So, keep these two questions in your toolkit as you prune and groom your content:

1. "What essential knowledge or skill will close the learner’s ability gap?"

2. "If it's crucial, what's the most effective way to deliver it?"

Think this way, and you’ll transform your eLearning content from a bulky old wardrobe into a sleek, streamlined capsule closet that’s all killer, no filler.

Also read: Start Thinking of Micro Learning Moments Now

2) Keep It Simple But Powerful—That’s The Golden Rule of Microlearning

When we talk about keeping it simple in microlearning, we're not just referring to the content. The design plays a crucial role too.

Here’s how to ensure both your content and design effectively communicate the core message without overwhelming your learners.

Content Simplicity:

1. Focus on Core Concepts: Each microlearning module should center around one main idea. This focus prevents cognitive overload and helps learners quickly grasp essential information.

2. Clear, Concise Language: Use straightforward language and short sentences. This enhances comprehension and keeps your learners engaged without the need for re-reading complex text.

3. Practical Over Theoretical: Cut down on background information and theoretical content. Instead, deliver practical, actionable advice that learners can immediately apply. This "just-in-time" learning approach is more aligned with the microlearning philosophy.

Design Simplicity:

1. Clean Layout: Adopt a minimalist design approach. Use plenty of white space to reduce visual clutter and help important points stand out.

2. Consistent Visual Elements: Use consistent colors, fonts, and imagery that align with your brand and message. This not only looks professional but also aids in learning by reducing the cognitive effort needed to process each new page or slide.

3. Intuitive Navigation: Design your microlearning courses with intuitive navigation. Ensure that learners can easily progress through the content without confusion. Simple navigation enhances the learning experience and keeps learners focused on the content rather than how to access it.

4. Responsive Design: Since microlearning is often accessed on various devices, including smartphones and tablets, ensure your design is responsive. This means your content should look good and function well on any screen size.

In essence, simplicity in microlearning extends beyond just writing short modules. It’s about creating an entire learning experience that’s streamlined in content and design, making it as efficient and effective as possible.

Read more: Think Small: 8 Commandments of Bite-Sized Learning

3) Make It Searchable: Help Learners Find What They Need

Imagine this: An employee at your company is gearing up for a crucial sales meeting, but suddenly it gets pushed back by 30 minutes. Now, they're sitting in the reception area with some unexpected free time. They decide it's the perfect moment to brush up on some sales pitch techniques. At this point, the accessibility and searchability of your course content become critical.

Creating a Searchable Learning Experience:

What does it mean to create a "searchable" learning experience? It's about designing your eLearning content in a way that allows users to quickly find exactly what they need, exactly when they need it. This requires a thoughtful approach to how information is organized, tagged, and presented within the course platform.

Here’s how to make sure your learners can quickly find the information that matters most without any fuss:

• Intuitive Course Structure: Organize your content in a logical, easy-to-follow format. Think of it like a well-labeled map guiding travelers to their destination. Categories should be clearly defined, and navigation should be straightforward, preventing learners from feeling lost or overwhelmed.

• Simplify Navigation: Ensure that your course interface is intuitive. Think of your course like a well-organized bookshelf, where everything is clearly labeled and easy to reach.

• Robust Search Functionality: Equip your eLearning platform with a powerful search tool that can handle natural language queries. This means learners can type questions or keywords related to their immediate needs and receive relevant results quickly. For example, if an employee types "closing techniques" during that spare 20 minutes, they should be able to pull up the most relevant sections without sifting through unrelated material.

• Use Clear Descriptions: Since your courses are short, make your course descriptions just as concise. These quick intros are like tasty appetizers—they give a flavor of what’s to come and guide learners right to what they need.

• Smart Tagging of Content: Enhance your content with smart tags—these are like breadcrumbs that guide learners along the path to the right information. By tagging modules or sections with specific keywords, you ensure that search results are accurate and useful.

4) 24/7 Content: Making the Most of Mobile Learning

Giving your microlearning course a strong presence on mobile devices means ensuring it's exceptionally user-friendly for anyone using a smartphone or tablet.

Because these courses are brief, they need to be more than just available—they must be straightforward and quick to navigate.

Picture learners trying to access the course during different moments of their day—maybe right before a big meeting or during a quick lunch break. They need to find what they're looking for fast, without the hassle of navigating through endless slides.

The statistics are telling: according to a report by Ambient Insight, 67% of people now use mobile devices to access learning. This shift is driven by the increasing integration of smartphones and tablets in our daily lives, making them a natural choice for on-the-go learning.

Here’s how to ensure your microlearning is perfect for mobile use:

1. Quick and Easy Access: It's crucial that learners can quickly find the key information they need. No one wants to scroll endlessly through content, especially not when they’re pressed for time or on the move.

2. Use Breadcrumbs for Navigation: Breadcrumbs are not just for fairy tales—they're incredibly useful in the digital world for helping users navigate. They're like small signs that show learners where they are in the course and how to get back to previous sections. Adding breadcrumbs to your course can make learners feel more comfortable because they always know where they are and how to navigate effortlessly.

3. Always Available: Think of your course like a reliable friend who's always there, no matter the time of day. Whether it's early morning or late at night, your learners should be able to depend on your course for quick tips and answers.

4. Design for Offline Access: Given that mobile users might not always have access to stable internet connections, especially when on the move, providing an option to download content for offline viewing is crucial. This allows learners to access the material even in areas with poor connectivity, ensuring that learning never has to pause.

5. Touch-Friendly Design: Mobile learning design must accommodate touch interactions, such as swiping and tapping, which are natural to mobile users. This includes creating large touch targets and gesture-friendly navigation that enhance the user experience rather than frustrate it.

6. Minimize Scrolling: While some scrolling is unavoidable, try to minimize it by using collapsible menus, tabs, and expandable lists that allow learners to tap and reveal more content as needed. This helps keep the interface clean and the content manageable, even on smaller screens.

Now that you're equipped with these practical tips to convert long-form courses into engaging microlearning modules, it's the perfect time to get started. Transforming your training approach can significantly enhance accessibility and engagement, making learning more flexible and relevant for today’s fast-paced workplace.

As you begin this transformation, consider the following reflection questions to audit your existing courses:

• Which courses currently require the most time from learners, and how might they be condensed into microlearning formats?

• Are there specific areas where learners seem to struggle with engagement or retention that could benefit from a more focused approach?

• What feedback have you received from learners about the pace and format of current courses?

Taking the time to thoroughly evaluate your existing content will provide a solid foundation for effectively implementing microlearning strategies. Remember, the goal is to make learning not just faster, but also more impactful and aligned with your learners' needs.

Don’t hesitate to explore innovative tools that can aid in this transition. Platforms like SHIFT offer powerful AI capabilities to streamline the creation of microlearning courses, ensuring that your content is optimized for the best possible learning experience.

Additional read: Theory to Practice: Actionable MicroLearning Tips