By Portia East, Learning Designer
In a world of back-to-back meetings, full inboxes, and shrinking attention spans, long training sessions can feel like a luxury – or worse, a burden.
That’s where microlearning comes in.
Modern learners are short on time – but the need for meaningful, effective training hasn’t gone away.
That’s why microlearning has become such a vital tool. When designed well, it helps people to learn, remember, and apply – without taking hours out of their work day.
At Learning Nexus, we’ve spent years designing short-form learning experiences that land – whether that’s through our animated eBytes, quick onboarding modules, or bite-sized compliance boosters.
Here’s why microlearning works, and where it works best…
What Counts as Microlearning?
Microlearning isn’t just about keeping things short. It’s about being strategic.- Focused on one clear outcome
- Typically 2–5 minutes long
- Easy to access on any device
- Practical, actionable, and straight to the point
Why It Works (for Learners and Businesses)
Microlearning:
- Reduces cognitive load: Breaking complex topics into smaller chunks helps learners to process and retain information
- Improves engagement: Short content feels achievable, and learners are more likely to complete it
- Boosts reinforcement: Great for follow-ups, refreshers, and spaced learning strategies
- Saves time and budget: Faster to build, update, and roll out than full-length courses – without sacrificing quality
Where It Shines
Microlearning is especially powerful when used for:
- Compliance refreshers
- Onboarding and induction
- Supporting behavioural change
- Reinforcing key messages from larger programmes
- Campaign-based learning (e.g. inclusion, wellbeing)
It works beautifully as part of a blended learning strategy – filling the gaps and keeping momentum between bigger learning moments.
Our Approach to Microlearning
We’ve designed hundreds of microlearning modules – both bespoke and off-the-shelf – and our success lies in how we bring content to life. For example:
- Visual storytelling and animation
- Audio-driven learning for accessibility and clarity
- Scenario-based moments for behavioural change
- Character-led narratives to add relatability and tone
Whether it’s a 90-second eByte or a 5-minute rapid module, we build every piece with intention – balancing creativity, strategy, and learner psychology.
Is Microlearning Right for Everything?
Not quite. It’s not the best approach for:
- Complex systems training
- Multi-step technical processes
- Deep skills development or coaching
But as a complement to deeper learning – or as a standalone way to deliver focused, repeatable knowledge – microlearning is hard to beat!
Ready to Try It?
Looking to refresh your compliance training? Want bite-sized content to support inclusion, wellbeing or onboarding? Or need something custom to fit your culture and tone?
We’d love to show you how microlearning can work for you.
📩 Get in touch and let’s build something small but mighty: hello@learningnexus.co.uk