Abstract:

Micro-modularity has become a central design principle in digital learning content design over the recent years. Micro-modular courses are split into bite-sized, topic-centered and easy to use learning objects which can be used independently or as part of a larger course or program in a flexible manner. When looking at the issue from the workplace-based learning context, the micro-learning approach has many benefits. These apply to employees “consuming” micro-learning modules while working e.g. in terms of added flexibility and possibilities for better targeted, on-demand use of learning modules. From the learning design perspective micro-modularity has opened many new opportunities allowing learning designers and production teams to work more efficiently and increasing the contribution of subject-matter experts in various phases of the design process.

Shared cloud-based working environments are highly useful in digital learning content design as they allow a number of individuals to work on the same project similarly and in collaboration with each other. Together with the micro-modular approach learning content development teams can run course productions very efficiently by following lean principles and utilizing the benefits of virtual collaboration. The process and outcome are quite different from the more traditional way of multimedia learning content development, in which content was designed and developed in a linear process and constructed as a whole, large entity. It was rather a product designed by digital learning content provider for the client organization than a product developed co-creatively with the client.

This paper focuses on the advantages and challenges of micro-modular learning content development process in a shared cloud-based collaboration environment. We will review literature on micro-modular learning content design through a constructivist theoretical lens. This will include a critical exploration of models and approaches of instructional design, learning experience design and agile/lean methodologies. The paper then reviews a number of micro-learning content projects carried out in Finland in workplaces to develop online training for staff and operational partners. These projects were carried out in cooperation with an employer using the course (involving a project manager and a team of subject matter experts) and a vendor company in charge of learning design and technical development of the course. Experiences from applied project contexts are mirrored with the existing models of collaborative micro-learning design to identify where the challenges are and how these challenges could be overcome. Based on these findings, the paper suggests a streamlined process for micro-modular digital learning content design in a cloud-based collaboration environment.

Keywords:

Micro-learning, micro-modular learning, e-learning, e-learning, learning design, learning experience design, instructional design, workplace-based learning.