Are you using microlearning to truly build knowledge, or are you just skimming through?

Remember those long, thick books we used to wrestle with in school—encyclopedias, novels, and textbooks that seemed to get heavier as we grew older? We were conditioned to believe that the older we got, the bigger the books and the more complex the learning. But is this still true in today's fast-paced, digital world? Let me introduce you to a concept that’s shaking up the traditional approach to learning: Microlearning

In simple terms, microlearning is an educational approach that breaks content into small, digestible units—like learning through reels, short quizzes, or mini-courses. It’s all about delivering information in bite-sized lessons that are easy to consume and process.
Sounds simple, right? But like every learning trend, it comes with its own set of pros and cons.
From a psychological perspective, there’s some real science behind why microlearning works, especially in today's world where distractions are everywhere.

1. Cognitive Load Theory supports the effectiveness of microlearning by emphasizing that breaking down content into small, manageable chunks reduces the mental strain on learners. Think about it: instead of cramming an entire chapter into your brain in one sitting, microlearning gives you just enough to grasp the concept without feeling overwhelmed. It’s easier for our brains to process and retain smaller bits of information.
2. Immediate Feedback is another advantage. Many microlearning modules include quick quizzes or assessments that give you instant results. This reinforces what you just learned and helps keep you motivated. You know right away if you’ve understood the material or if you need to revisit it.  
   

   But Is It All Sunshine and Rainbows?

   Not exactly. While microlearning has its perks, it’s essential to consider the downside, especially in the real world.
   Let’s face it—attention spans have shrunk drastically. The average person’s attention span is now around 10 seconds (thanks,💁social media!). While microlearning aligns with this shorter attention span, it can also contribute to a phenomenon I like to call the “digital diet dilemma.”
   Just like our physical health suffers from unhealthy eating habits, our “digital diet” can become unhealthy too. If we're constantly bombarded with small snippets of information, jumping from one topic to another, we risk losing the ability to focus deeply on any one thing. Multitasking, once seen as a valuable skill, is now considered a mental drain. Research shows that when we try to focus on multiple things at once, our actual focus on any one thing weakens.
   
   In fact, the word "focus" used to mean concentrating on a single task. Nowadays, it seems like we're expected to focus on everything at once—whether it's multiple tabs on your browser, a buzzing phone, or different courses online.