Microlearning videos have emerged as a powerful tool for delivering focused, bite-sized educational content tailored to meet the demands of busy learners. These videos are typically under 10 minutes long and focus on single, actionable objectives.
Whether you’re looking to create microlearning videos for corporate training, academic purposes, or personal development platforms, this guide will take you through the production process, from initial concept to final delivery.
1. Understanding Microlearning and Its Benefits
Before diving into production, it’s crucial to understand the purpose of microlearning videos and their advantages.
What is Microlearning?
Microlearning is a teaching strategy that delivers small, digestible pieces of information to learners. It often focuses on specific skills or knowledge points and is designed for quick consumption.
Benefits of Microlearning Videos:
Improved Retention: Bite-sized content aligns with the human brain's ability to retain and recall information.
Flexibility: Learners can access content anytime and anywhere.
Cost-Efficient: Short videos reduce production time and resources.
High Engagement: Short formats keep learners’ attention focused.
By understanding these benefits, you can design videos that meet learners’ needs while maximizing impact.
2. Planning and Conceptualizing Your Video
Every successful microlearning video begins with a clear plan.
Define Your Objectives
Ask yourself:
What is the key takeaway for learners?
How will this video improve their skills or knowledge?
Is this content part of a broader learning path?
Example Objective: Teach employees how to write effective email subject lines in under 5 minutes.
Know Your Audience
Understanding your audience helps you tailor the tone, complexity, and examples to their needs. Consider:
Demographics: Age, profession, and experience level.
Preferences: Preferred learning style (visual, auditory, etc.).
Context: How they will use the information.
Create a Script or Storyboard
Scripts are essential for crafting concise and engaging microlearning videos. Keep sentences short and conversational. Use storyboards to visualize scenes, ensuring logical flow and engagement.
Example Outline for a Video on Time Management:
Hook: “Ever feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day?”
Key Tip 1: Prioritize tasks using the Eisenhower Matrix.
Key Tip 2: Avoid multitasking—focus on one thing at a time.
Call to Action: “Start with one productivity tip today!”
3. Pre-Production: Setting the Stage
With a clear concept and script, it’s time to prepare for production.
Gather Necessary Tools and Equipment
High-quality microlearning videos don’t require a Hollywood budget. Invest in:
Camera: A DSLR or a smartphone with high resolution.
Microphone: Lavalier or condenser microphones for clear audio.
Lighting: LED ring lights or softbox lights.
Editing Software: Tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, Camtasia, or iMovie.
Choose a Suitable Format
Decide whether your video will be:
Animated (ideal for explaining abstract concepts).
Live-action (great for role-playing scenarios or demonstrations).
Screencast (perfect for tutorials).
Select a Location
For live-action videos, ensure the location is quiet, well-lit, and free from distractions. A clean background or branded environment adds professionalism.
Prepare Your On-Screen Talent
If the video includes a presenter, coach them on tone and body language. Avoid overly formal or monotonous delivery—enthusiasm keeps viewers engaged.
4. Production: Bringing Your Vision to Life
During production, focus on executing your plan while being open to adjustments.
Tips for Filming:
Frame Your Shots: Use close-ups for emphasis and wide shots for context. Stick to the rule of thirds for visual balance.
Keep It Short: Aim for 2–7 minutes per video. Microlearning loses impact if it’s too lengthy.
Engage Early: Start with a hook to grab attention within the first 10 seconds.
Use Visual Aids: Incorporate infographics, charts, or slides to reinforce learning points.
Audio Quality
Clear audio is non-negotiable. Test your microphone and ensure minimal background noise.
Capturing Footage
Film multiple takes to ensure you have options during editing. Variety in angles and expressions can make your video more dynamic.
5. Post-Production: Refining the Content
Editing is where your raw footage transforms into a polished microlearning experience.
Editing Tips:
Trim Excess: Remove unnecessary footage to maintain focus.
Add Graphics and Text: Highlight key points with on-screen text or motion graphics.
Include Music: Background music adds energy but should not overpower narration.
Maintain Pacing: Balance scenes to avoid rushing or lingering too long.
Test for Accessibility
Add closed captions for inclusivity and consider multilingual subtitles if your audience is diverse.
Review and Revise
Gather feedback from colleagues or beta testers to identify improvements. Look for clarity, pacing, and overall engagement.
6. Delivering and Distributing Your Video
Once your microlearning video is complete, it’s time to share it with your audience.
Hosting Platforms
Choose platforms that align with your audience’s habits:
Internal Platforms: Learning management systems (LMS) like LMS Portals.
Public Platforms: YouTube, Vimeo, or corporate websites.
Optimize for Mobile
Ensure your video is mobile-friendly. Most learners access content on smartphones, so test playback quality on smaller screens.
Track Performance
Use analytics to monitor engagement and effectiveness. Key metrics include:
Average watch time.
Completion rates.
Viewer feedback.
7. Iterate and Improve
Microlearning is an iterative process. Based on analytics and feedback, refine your approach for future videos.
Questions to Ask Post-Launch:
Did the video meet its objectives?
Was the content engaging and easy to understand?
What can be improved in future productions?
8. Best Practices for Microlearning Video Success
To consistently create impactful microlearning videos, follow these best practices:
Focus on One Objective
Avoid overwhelming learners with multiple concepts. Each video should tackle a single idea for maximum clarity.
Use Storytelling
Stories captivate audiences and make learning relatable. Even a simple narrative structure can enhance retention.
Leverage Interactivity
Include quizzes, polls, or clickable elements to engage learners actively.
Stay Consistent
Consistency in branding, tone, and format builds trust and familiarity.
Summary
Creating microlearning videos requires a blend of creativity, technical skills, and audience insight. By following this step-by-step guide, you can design effective, engaging, and learner-focused content that delivers measurable results. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or a novice content creator, the journey from concept to completion will be smoother and more rewarding with a structured approach.
Empower your audience to learn one small step at a time—because in microlearning, every moment counts.
About LMS Portals
At LMS Portals, we provide our clients and partners with a mobile-responsive, SaaS-based, multi-tenant learning management system that allows you to launch a dedicated training environment (a portal) for each of your unique audiences.
The system includes built-in, SCORM-compliant rapid course development software that provides a drag and drop engine to enable most anyone to build engaging courses quickly and easily.
We also offer a complete library of ready-made courses, covering most every aspect of corporate training and employee development.
If you choose to, you can create Learning Paths to deliver courses in a logical progression and add structure to your training program. The system also supports Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and provides tools for social learning.
Together, these features make LMS Portals the ideal SaaS-based eLearning platform for our clients and our Reseller partners.
Contact us today to get started or visit our Partner Program pages
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