Measuring Micro Learning and Informal Learning

Micro learning is a way of teaching and delivering content to learners in small, very specific bursts. The learners are in control of what and when they're learning.  This is a part of informal learning that is reshaping the way learners consume training and content.  Other modern-day tools organizations are using include learning experience platforms, program delivery platforms and content libraries.As a result of learning operations making investments (money, time, people) to procure, configure, deliver, and maintain such tools, the need for measurement of them becomes increasingly important.   We've identified four data types that can be used for measuring micro learning and other forms of informal learning.Consumption data is a measure of utilization of the informal learning tool or content.   This answers the question around ‘how much’ was consumed.  For example, if a library of content was uploaded to a technology tool that organized the content, but only 1% of the workforce accessed the content that is relatively small consumption assuming the content is intended for the entire workforce.Duration data is a measure of length of time.  This answers the question ‘how long’ people were engaged with the tool and its content.  For example, if a large percent of people access the tool for under 10 seconds before exiting it, that may indicate confusion or complexity and the notion that they have given up. Likewise, something that is intended for 5 minutes but people are in for 30 minutes may indicate mislabeled content or inaccurate categorization of what the learning objectives or intended audience may have been.Behavior data is a measure of ‘where’ people went when experiencing the platform and its content.  The learning path is important to measure because certain paths may be more efficient and effective than others or certain paths may lead to higher impact or alignment to results, skills or objectives.  Further, measuring behavior can help you understand if the learning path of a high performer is different than the learning path of everyone else.Assessment data is a measure of feedback. It can take on a few forms.  One is a quick test of knowledge or comprehension.  Another may be a quick evaluation question such as whether the person would recommend the experience to a friend or colleague.  These questions are eliciting the person’s feedback on what they are experiencing in terms of their understanding and their satisfaction.Technologies that produce or host informal learning content may likely have metrics or a way to capture metrics already within their API libraries.   In addition, analysis becomes more meaningful if each piece of data can be tagged properly in reporting.  There are two types of tags that are worth using so that learning practitioners can feel empowered to use this information in a meaningful way:  attribute tags and demographic tags.Attribute tags are characteristics of the learning itself, examples include the program or curricula where the learning resides.  Demographic tags are characteristics of the learner.  Common demographics include years of service, business unit, job function, job title and location.Learn more about measuring micro learning and other forms of informal learning by downloading our white paper at https://performitiv.com/benefits-resources/educational-content/ and going to 'Measuring Micro Learning.'Finally, we have a free webinar on September 6th, Measuring Micro Learning and Informal Learning.Thank you,The Performitiv Team