The shift to virtual learning, accelerated by the global pandemic, has fundamentally transformed the way education is delivered. As a result, the lasting impact of this transition, along with the necessary adaptations, continues to reshape how education is offered to its target market. With the growing demand for contemporary online education, it is crucial to analyze instructional design – a systematic process that applies psychological principles of human learning to develop effective instructional solutions. This involves evaluating the most effective methods and learning environments to engage students and enhance their achievement of desired learning outcomes.
In this light, designing and facilitating online discussions to increase student engagement, peer connection, and idea exchange, as well as creating a cohesive online learning community for knowledge creation, is far more important for the success of online education. However, delivering online education is crucial in this circumstance as it is really challenging to effectively engage students in the learning process. As students and educators adapt to digital platforms, student engagement has emerged as a key concern in online learning. Traditional classroom techniques often fall short in this new landscape, requiring educators to explore innovative instructional strategies. Two such approaches—microlearning and andragogy—offer promising solutions to enhance student engagement and knowledge retention.
In the traditional learning environment, student engagement levels varied, and educators could easily gauge participation where, in online platforms, the lack of physical presence and direct interaction makes it difficult to assess student engagement. The challenge is further compounded by students balancing their studies with household chores which can lead to decreased motivation if adequate support is not provided by the instructor. Therefore, it is evident that online learning presents a unique set of challenges. Thus, the students who study online must be self-motivated and disciplined enough to work alone as the lack of face-to-face accountability makes it easier for them to drop out without being noticed.
As a result, in today’s competitive lifelong learning landscape, an online course that simply gives information is no better than any other. Hence, instructors should differentiate themselves by offering innovative and interactive online courses that engage, connect, and transform students, enabling them to learn efficiently and effectively from anywhere, converting learning into an enjoyable experience. Consequently, the role of instructors becomes more crucial in designing effective online learning experiences that foster active student participation. Thus, in this turbulent environment, the social, economic, and technical developments elicit new learning concepts and practices, leading to transformations in the way education is delivered to meet the high expectations of the corporate sector. Therefore, the role played by microlearning and andragogy in enhancing online student engagement is crucial in the current context.
Microlearning: Small Bites, Big Impact
Microlearning delivers content in small, focused segments, allowing learners to absorb and retain information more effectively. Research has shown that this approach enables students to process and recall course materials in a more manageable way. Giurgiu (2017) describes that microlearning consists of “bite-sized” educational chunks, usually lasting only a few minutes and designed to cater to the learner’s individual needs. Moreover, microlearning’s approach to delivering short, fine-grained, interconnected and loosely coupled learning activities emphasizes individual learning needs (Singh, 2014). Thus, microlearning fits within the constraints of human cognitive capacity by aligning with how working memory functions. Research highlights that short, structured learning modules enhance engagement and reduce cognitive overload. Hence, in contrast to traditional lengthy lectures, microlearning helps move information from working memory to long-term memory more effectively. In this way, microlearning has become so demanding in current online education.
Another advantage of microlearning is that it addresses the forgetting curve, which predicts that memory retention will deteriorate over time if not reinforced. The forgetting curve illustrates how humans have a tendency to lose nearly half of newly learned information within days or weeks unless they consciously review the learned information. Further, the forgetting curve supports one of the seven types of memory failures: transience which refers to the natural process of forgetting as time passes.
Spaced repetition techniques used in microlearning counteract this decline by reinforcing knowledge retention at periodic intervals. This method involves recalling the same material multiple times over a period, helping to solidify the information in long-term memory with each recall.
Another point where microlearning enhances online student engagement is that it enables students to be entirely focused on and more engaged in learning by allowing them to complete lessons according to their own schedule rather than on someone else’s schedule. Further, in online education as learning takes place outside of the classroom, it has a greater potential for application than typical classroom learning by integrating learning with experience. In this arena, microlearning allows for location-based learning, which can be quite beneficial in increasing students’ engagement in online learning platforms.
Another method of incorporating microlearning to boost online student engagement is to simply include specific sorts of micro lessons within the course itself which can more-or-less run parallel to the course. Microlearning can be integrated into online education using digital tools like Kahoot, GoSoapBox, and Padlet, as well as interactive quizzes ensuring a more interactive and engaging learning experience. Furthermore, designing course materials in concise, digestible formats allows students to integrate learning into their daily schedules more effectively. In this way, microlearning not only brings education back to its original format in some sense but also enhances online student engagement in numerous ways.
Andragogy: Engaging Adult Learners
As the demographics of online learners shift toward older and more diverse groups, understanding how adults learn is essential. Knowles’ andragogical principles emphasize self-directed learning, real-world application, and experiential learning, which are particularly relevant in virtual educational settings. Unlike younger students, adult learners tend to be goal-oriented, seeking education that directly contributes to their career or personal development. They benefit from problem-centered learning and contextual applications, making real-world examples, discussion forums, and interactive activities essential components of online education. Thus, for effective engagement of adult learners in online education, educators must incorporate techniques such as:
encouraging self-paced learning with embedded resources for independent study
facilitating peer discussions and collaborative problem-solving exercises and
utilizing real-world case studies to link theoretical concepts with practical applications.
In practice, andragogy works best when it is tailored to the characteristics of the learners and the learning circumstance.
Combining Microlearning and Andragogy for Optimal Engagement
Recent changes in the macro environment, in the form of advancements in technology and natural transitions, shifted education from traditional platforms to virtual platforms where student engagement is crucial for the success of the learning process. Thus, blending microlearning with andragogical principles creates an effective learning framework that accommodates both cognitive and experiential learning styles. While microlearning breaks down complex topics into smaller units for better retention, andragogy ensures that these units are meaningful and applicable in real-life scenarios. Thus, educators can implement this blended approach by:
structuring courses into short, interactive modules aligned with real-world applications
incorporating multimedia elements, such as videos, infographics, and gamified content to enhance engagement
encouraging student-led discussions and collaborative learning environments
providing frequent, low-stakes assessments that reinforce learning without adding stress
Addressing Online Learning Challenges
Despite its advantages, online learning presents distinct challenges. Unlike face-to-face settings where instructors can monitor student behavior and adjust teaching methods accordingly, online educators must rely on different strategies to enhance student engagement. Many students struggle with motivation and time management, often due to external distractions. Additionally, the absence of direct supervision can lead to passive learning behaviors, where students disengage without accountability. Thus, to combat these issues, instructors must take a proactive approach in designing online courses. Therefore, ensuring frequent interaction between educators and students, integrating real-world problem-solving activities, and leveraging technological tools can enhance student engagement. Furthermore, the use of formative assessments and timely feedback creates an environment where students feel supported and encouraged.
Conclusion
As online education continues to evolve, educators must adopt innovative strategies to maintain student engagement and improve learning outcomes with microlearning and andragogy provide a structured approach in achieving this goal. Microlearning, as a natural extension of traditional learning, leverages the potential of mobile technology to deliver short, focused lessons that enhance retention while andragogical principles ensure that learning is relevant and applicable to real-life situations. By integrating both approaches, educators can create a dynamic, engaging, and effective online learning experience for learners of all ages. Moreover, the success of online education hinges on its ability to keep learners motivated and actively engaged. Thus, by utilizing a proper combination of traditional and modern instructional strategies, instructors can foster an environment where students not only absorb knowledge but also apply it effectively in their academic and professional journeys.
N.K.L. Silva
Ms. Nilanthige Kaushalya Lakmali Silva is a Lecturer at the Department of Accountancy, University of Kelaniya. She teaches Management, Economics, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Strategic Management and Information Management. Ms. Silva holds a B.B.Mgt. (Special) Degree in Accountancy with a First-Class Honours and an M.Sc. in Management with a Merit. Her research interests include major areas of Accounting and Finance, with a particular focus on Sri Lanka’s Capital Markets, Micro and Macro Economic Environment, Corporate Governance, and Corporate Fraud. She has published several research papers in academic journals and conference proceedings. She is a CMA Sri Lanka Passed Finalist and has completed the Diploma in Banking and Finance at the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka.
N. P. K. Ekanayake
Ms. Neranjana Priyangani Kumari Ekanayake, a senior lecturer at the University of Kelaniya, teaches Investment and Portfolio Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, Behavioural Finance, and Advanced Management Accounting. She holds a BBA in Accounting (Special) and an MSc in Management (Specialized in Finance) and is a CIMA passed finalist.
References
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