This is the sixth post in our series about microlearning.
The life sciences industry has been growing rapidly over the past decade. For example, even before the Covid-19 pandemic started in late 2019, the pharmaceutical market grew 225 percent between 2001 and 2020. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) now approves therapeutics faster than ever, and the industry is facing a skills gap as employees need to be trained on updated regulations, supply chains, and specialty drugs. The traditional methods of corporate training often fall short in meeting the dynamic needs of professionals in this industry. Enter microlearning, a transformative approach that is reshaping corporate training.
Flexibility and Convenience
Microlearning modules are designed to be short, focused, and easily digestible. This format allows professionals in the life sciences sector to engage in training sessions at their own pace, fitting into their busy schedules seamlessly. Whether a quick review of regulatory updates or a brief overview of a new drug development process, microlearning ensures that employees can access the information they need without disrupting their workflow.
Customizable by nature, microlearning allows for quick updates as new information arises. Due to the short duration of these trainings, users can learn in an environment where they are comfortable. Instead of feeling trapped in a freezing room for hours – or days – with a group of people who don’t want to be there any more than they do, learners can easily and quickly train when they need a refresher or need to learn new information for their next task. They are more likely to make an investment of a few minutes than be uncomfortable for long periods of time in training that they will barely remember in a week.
Microlearning lends itself to mobile learning, so wherever the user is they can interact with a quick five-minute module wherever they are, using their phone or tablet: the daily commute into the city (public transit, not driving!), during a commercial break, waiting to pick up the kids at school, etc. The possibilities are nearly endless! Better yet, organizations relying on mobile learning saw a 16 percent boost in productivity and other improvements.
Tailored Learning Paths
One key advantage of microlearning is its ability to offer personalized and targeted learning experiences. In the life sciences industry, where the roles and responsibilities of professionals vary widely, a one-size-fits-all training approach is often ineffective. Microlearning allows organizations to create customized learning paths, ensuring that each employee receives the specific knowledge and skills required for their role.
Life sciences professionals come from diverse educational backgrounds and possess different learning styles. Microlearning caters to this diversity by incorporating multimedia elements, interactive quizzes, and varied content formats. Whether an employee learns best through visuals, text, or hands-on activities, microlearning can be adapted to suit their preferences.
It’s important to note that, depending on the type of training, online training alone without an in-person or hands-on component may not satisfy all compliance regulations. This is where augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) come in. Users can practice what they’ve learned in safe environments to ensure they understand key concepts. If they don’t do well, it’s easy to go back and retake that section of the module. By practicing using AR and VR, the learner can improve their skills until they are confident that they are ready to move on to in-person assessments often necessary for compliance purposes.
Companies are beginning to take a page from the advertiser’s playbook as they look to create a training program focused on repeating key lessons at regular intervals. This method helps facilitate the learning process for employees, pushing them further away from the forgetting curve and sending them more quickly along the learning curve.
Improved Soft Skills
We often think of training regarding hard skills, but soft skills are also necessary for a successful business. A 2020 report from McKinsey shows that pharmaceutical operations executives tend to not see the need to train for social and emotional skills, despite frontline workers ranking these skills as critical to success. Obviously, product quality is extremely important, but so is the customer experience. Bad customer experiences can lead to a loss in revenue and public goodwill. Joel Wayment writes in Pharma Manufacturing, “No one is immune to a bad day, but having repeated bad days because of deficient social and emotional skills can affect accuracy, results, and customer satisfaction.”
Enhanced Retention
Research consistently demonstrates that shorter, focused learning sessions lead to better information retention. Microlearning produces 50 percent better knowledge retention than traditional eLearning tools. Microlearning leverages this principle, breaking down complex concepts into bite-sized modules. This approach facilitates better understanding, retention, and application of knowledge, particularly important in an industry where precision and accuracy are paramount.
Instead of hitting learners with too much information at one time, making it nearly impossible to remember key concepts, microlearning’s pacing of information allows them to better absorb the information they need, when they need it. Such retention is critical in life sciences companies, where regulations change often and organizations can be overwhelmed by huge fines if not in compliance with these rules. “If learners are not repeatedly using the information in compliance training, they are simply not retaining it, and the more they forget, the higher the level of risk across an organization.” (Life Science Compliance Update)
Boosts Employee Engagement
Large in-person training sessions try to incorporate trainee engagement, often with mixed results. In the beginning of a training session, people tend to be tired and not willing to engage with relative strangers. Often, engagement improves as the day moves on, as people are more comfortable with each other. Then, they are tired and overwhelmed by the end of the training, and activity dries up. The interactive and engaging nature of microlearning modules can significantly enhance employee motivation and participation. Gamification elements, scenario-based learning, and quizzes add an element of fun to the learning process, keeping employees engaged and motivated to complete their training. One gamification survey shows that participants in game-based learning exhibit an 83 percent increase in motivation compared to traditional training.
Real-Time Updates and Continuous Learning
In an industry where regulations and guidelines are subject to frequent changes, staying up to date is non-negotiable. Microlearning modules can be easily updated and distributed in real-time, ensuring that employees are always equipped with the latest information. In fact, after participating in microlearning, 78 percent of employees in one study felt more confident than before the training. Such real-time adaptability is crucial for compliance training, where the consequences of non-compliance can be severe.
Advancements in the life sciences field occur regularly, so fostering a culture of continuous learning is essential. Microlearning promotes ongoing professional development by providing employees with regular, manageable doses of information. This approach encourages lifelong learning, ensuring that workers remain at the forefront of industry trends.
Cost Effective
According to learning expert Ray Jimenez, microlearning courses can be created in 300 percent less time and at 50 percent less cost than traditional eLearning courses. Not to mention, using a microlearning format saves on costs associated with employee travel and time away from work. It provides timely and necessary information for employees where knowledge can be quickly applied. When implemented correctly, microlearning needs minimal resources to create, distribute, and update.
Final Thoughts
Microlearning is not just a trend; it’s a strategic approach that has the potential to revolutionize corporate training across industries. Its flexibility, adaptability, and focus on individualized learning make it an ideal fit for an industry characterized by rapid change and diverse professional roles. By embracing microlearning, organizations can empower their employees with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully navigate the complexities of the life sciences landscape. As the industry continues to evolve, microlearning stands as a powerful tool for shaping a workforce that is agile, well-informed, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. As famous UCLA basketball coach John Wooden said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”
Related Blogs
Unleashing the Power of Templates for Microlearning Modules
Elevate Sales Excellence with Microlearning: 7 Best Practices
Tiny Lessons, Big Impact: The Rise of Microlearning in Construction
Revolutionizing Tech Training: The Advantages of Microlearning
Resources
Apostopolous, Aris. “the 2019 Gamification at Work Survey.” TalentLMS.com. 8/19/19. Accessed 2/13/24. https://www.talentlms.com/blog/gamification-survey-results/
Cloke, Harry. “The Forgetting Curve: Why We Forget And How To Remember.” GrowthEngineering.co.uk. 2/27/23. Accessed 2/12/24. https://www.growthengineering.co.uk/what-is-the-forgetting-curve/
Dukart, Hillary, Parag Patel, Vanya Telpis, and Joakim Yngve. “Pharma operations: Creating the workforce of the future.” McKinsey.com. 4/9/20. Accessed 2/13/24. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/pharma-operations-creating-the-workforce-of-the-future
Hesse, A., P. Ospina, M. Wieland, F.A. Leal Yepes, B. Nguyen, W. Heuwieser. “Short communication: Microlearning courses are effective at increasing the feelings of confidence and accuracy in the work of dairy personnel.” ScienceDirect.com 9/16/19. Accessed 2/13/24. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030219306605
Martin, Rebecca. “The Secret Behind: How Microlearning Boosts Knowledge Retention by at least 50%.” Mobietrain.com. Accessed 2/12/24. https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/hubfs/2490889/E-books/How%20Microlearning%20Boosts%20Knowledge%20Retention%20by%20at%20least%2050%25.pdf
“Mobile Learning Market Size & Share Analysis — Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023-2028).” Feb. 2024. Accessed 2/13/24. https://www.reportlinker.com/p06484310/Mobile-Learning-Market-Size-Share-Analysis-Growth-Trends-Forecasts.html
Mohan, Ronita. “Why EHS Training Needs to Pivot to Microlearning.” EHS Daily Advisor. 4/5/21. Accessed 2/12/24. https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2021/04/why-ehs-training-needs-to-pivot-to-microlearning/
Murphy, Sean, and Lauren Barnett. “Learning After You Know It All.” Life Science Compliance Update. 3/12/17. Accessed 2/14/24. https://www.nxlevelsolutions.com/compliance/assets/downloads/Learning%20After%20You%20Know%20It%20All.pdf
“Revenue of the worldwide pharmaceutical market from 2001 to 2022.” Statista. 12/1/23. Accessed 2/13/24. https://www.statista.com/statistics/263102/pharmaceutical-market-worldwide-revenue-since-2001/
Wayment, Joel. “Addressing pharma’s workforce training crisis.” Pharma Manufacturing. 6/8/21, 2/13/24. https://www.pharmamanufacturing.com/facilities/facility-design-management/article/11292422/addressing-pharmas-workforce-training-crisis
“What is Microlearning — and What Are Its Advantages?” BeaconLive.com Accessed 2/12/24. https://www.beaconlive.com/blog/microlearning-benefits
