We love snacks, especially the delectable bite-sized ones. And now, there's a special treat on the educational menu: bite-sized learning. These delightful morsels are altering the learning landscape: watching TED talks on your phone, listening to podcasts on your way home—this could be you. In this fast-paced world, where every second matters, time becomes fragmented and learning is sliced into smaller and smaller pieces, seamlessly blended into the nooks and crannies of our lives. Quick and convenient, bite-sized learning’ perfectly aligns with the learning patterns of today's individuals and is poised to become a significant trend, serving up a satisfying feast of knowledge in the future of e-learning.
A Lifestyle Match for Today’s Learners
The concept of ‘bite-size learning’ or 'microlearning’ was first proposed by American scholar Stephen Meyer in 2015 at the ‘Association for Talent Development (ATD) conference’. In his presentation titled ‘Bite-size Content and the New e-Learning’, Meyer outlined his three core principles of microlearning, known as the ‘Three Pillars’: 1) Research-Based Learning; 2) Single-Concept Learning; and 3) Rapid Learning, encompassing ‘Bite size’, referring to learning in easily digestible nuggets; and ‘Single-Concept Learning', which emphasises the importance of tackling one idea at a time for effective comprehension. Earlier research conducted by Microsoft revealed the shortening of the human attention span, shrinking from 12 seconds in 2000 to 8 seconds in 2015. Fast-forward to today, nine years later, where our attention span may have dwindled further to 6 or 7 seconds, or even less. This transformative shift has propelled the emergence of microlearning, whereby learning becomes increasingly fragmented and we strive to extract key information within the briefest possible timeframe.
In 2018, the published article ‘The Effectiveness of Microlearning to Improve Students’ Learning Ability’ sheds light on this groundbreaking pedagogical approach. Microlearning, as it presents itself, revolutionises the way knowledge is disseminated to learners by breaking it down into bite-sized chunks, ensuring ease of understanding and fostering long-term retention. To ascertain its impact, the researchers conducted an empirical study involving elementary school students, segregated into two distinct groups: one group was exposed to the instructional methods of microlearning, while the other adhered to traditional teaching methodologies. The study spanned six weeks. Astoundingly, the test results revealed that the microlearning group showcased a remarkable 18% advantage in learning outcomes compared to their counterparts in the traditional instruction group—a resounding victory for the microlearning group. This undeniable disparity in performance solidified the notion that the strategic implementation of microlearning holds the potential to significantly enhance learning effectiveness, just like the age-old adage says, a little goes a long way.
The Rise of Microlearning
Microlearning has gained significant traction, with a plethora of platforms offering bite-sized education resources. Among the channels that have jumped on the bandwagon, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) launched BBC Bitesize, a dedicated platform that provides free online study support resources for school-age students. BBC Bitesize offers a wide range of subjects across different educational levels, featuring concise yet impactful videos that help students engage in self-paced learning. For younger minds, the Bitesize website goes the extra mile with its highly interactive mini-courses; for secondary school learners, a captivating collection of games awaits, spanning across subjects like mathematics, geography, science, and history.
(BBC Bitesize is a free online study support resource.)
(It offers a wide range of subjects to support students' learning.)
Recognising the pivotal role of teachers in shaping young minds, a webpage, BBC Tech, and Youtube channel were set up exclusively for educators. Here, they can access a treasure trove of curriculum-aligned videos, conveniently organised by grade and subject. The ‘Young Reporter’ series, in particular, not only hones content creation skills but also empowers students to let their own unique stories take flight, fostering a sense of creativity and self-expression. This microsite serves as a wellspring of inspiration for teachers, providing invaluable professional development guidance, insights from fellow educators, and expertly crafted articles to fuel their pedagogical journey.
Microlearning in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, microlearning has become everyone's go-to learning approach. Multimedia videos are often skilfully condensed into bite-sized portions to cater to the needs of the masses. In April 2023, the University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE) officially launched micro-credentials courses—short-term, standalone courses that fall under the umbrella of a more compact credit-based programme. With their concise duration, typically requiring a mere 30 course hours, students can swiftly acquire new knowledge and skills at their own pace. What sets microlearning apart is the freedom it offers learners, who can handpick courses that align with their individual interests, aspirations, and professional needs.
(Dr. Lucas Kohnke discussed the benefits of microlearning.)
During a prior video seminar, Dr. Lucas Kohnke, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English Language Education at the Education University of Hong Kong, explored the potential of microlearning activities to enhance online and blended teaching methodologies. He introduced a selection of educational apps that facilitate microlearning in online learning environments, including interactive quizzes, videos, and elements of gamification. Furthermore, he presented 7 essential tips for effective microlearning, designed to optimise student engagement:
1. Make it focused
2. Make it simple
3. Make it graphic
4. Make it interactive
5. Make it short
6. Make it social（社
7. Make it mobile adaptive
Dr Kohnke specifically highlighted the effectiveness of mobile-adaptive microlearning, as it allows for convenient access to short videos, data charts, and a diverse array of podcast interviews. Even taking quizzes becomes a seamless experience. Remarkably, each of these elements can be completed within a mere 2 to 6 minutes, enabling learners to make the most of fragmented pockets of time.