Mobile learning : Myth busters

Alex MackmanTechnical Director, Agylia

www.agylia.com

Agenda

• Research project background• Common like and dislikes• Ideal scenarios for mobile learning technology• Microlearning• How to ensure continued engagement• Summary

The App

Analytics

Clear usage patterns

• Early mornings, late afternoon, evening• Random periods throughout the day• Short session times (3 minutes or less)• Spikes following notifications

Likes

Short, bite size knowledge packages

Relevant and useful information

Video

Transcripts so I’m not forced to use audio

Variety of form factors

The fun element – points and awards for achievements

The competitive element - leaderboards

New content notifications

Likes and dislikesDislikes

Lengthy content modules, eLearning on a phone

Telling me what I already know

Fiddly (over interactive) content

Text that is hard to read

Overly complex navigation

Too many notifications

Notifications in the middle of the night

Learning Information and knowledge people need to know in their heads

Performance support Information people need to have at their fingertips to help them do their jobs better

ScenariosSpaced learning and spaced recallAddressing the forgetting curveAugmenting formal training

Instant access at the point of needSearch and categorisation

Improving knowledge retention

During the learning events, memory for information is strengthened

As soon as the learning events end, forgetting begins

Forgetting curveW. Thalheimer, Boston Work Learning Research Inc

20

40

60

80

100

Learning curve

Bite sized nuggets developed and deliveredto mobile devices as part of a blended learning programme

Scenarios

ComplianceTraining

Point in time learning Spaced learningInductionTraining

Business Change

ManagementTraining

• More than bite-size content served from an LMS

• It sees content delivered in short bursts, typically 1-5 minutes in duration

• Uses spaced learning and spaced retrieval techniques to help embed knowledge in long term memory

• It adapts continuously to an individual's training needs based on their current level of knowledge in a given domain

• Well suited to both long term knowledge retention AND performance improvement

Microlearning

Benefits to the organisation

Can improve workforce performance

Cheaper to build

Easier to update

Shorter development cycles

Wider application

Meets millennial expectations

What are the benefits?

Benefits to the individual

More appealing than click-through eLearning

Can increase voluntary participation in learning

Accessible anywhere – on all device types

Requires less time away from work

Available at the time of need (JIT)

Personalised for maximum benefit

How can we help ensure continued engagement?

Make it relevant

• Build personalised, adaptive learning programmes• Give people what they need to know• Avoid unnecessary information• Avoid telling people what they already know• Move beyond the classic one size fits all style of training

• Becomes possible with focussed, granular content• Requires a dynamic delivery platform

Make it shine

• UX is everything• App UX

• Navigation• Familiar gestures• Ease of use

• Content UX

• Expectations are higher than ever today• App and content UI/UX critical to get right

Make it fun

• Three types of gamification:

1. Simulation (e.g. pilot training simulators)2. Game-based learning (i.e. video-type game)3. Game mechanics (points, awards, levelling up, leaderboards)

• Microlearning lends itself to gamification techniques• Reward people for proving their expertise • Challenge and motivate people to move up leader boards• Be seen as champions or experts in particular areas

Make it collaborative

• Enable connections:• Do you have a question about the latest micro-asset? • Something you don't understand? • Who else has completed it recently? • Who can I ask?

• Have you just reached an expert level having completed a microlearning programme with flying colours?

• Then why not become a champion, be ready to help others undergoing the same training programme to master the same skills - and perhaps get rewarded for doing so

• Did you find the latest content useful? • Like it• Share / recommend it

Popularity of video-based

training

Lower tolerance for

boredom

Reduced concentration

spans

Expectation for information to be

available on demand

The influence of the millennial generation

Summary

Microlearning