Microlearning is becoming popular in a world where corporate leaders who manage multiple projects simultaneously and are always busy are considered successful. Organizations and employees from all sectors are leaning toward this form of learning as it allows them to keep running up the career ladder without compromising on their skill development training.  The construction industry also uses various microlearning formats in all stages of projects and for all stakeholders.

 

What is Construction Microlearning?

The construction industry is highly diverse regarding human resources and site locations. Additionally, the project sites may lie within various geographical and administrative boundaries. Even construction technology is changing rapidly. Thus, different projects must comply with specific building codes, regulations, and bye-laws. 

Everyone in the construction industry requires specialized training to implement projects, from laborers and contractors to architects and engineers. Construction microlearning is the training related to construction methodologies, techniques, and compliances imparted via bite-sized modules. 

 

Benefits of Microlearning For Construction Professionals and Workers

Construction microlearning enables all professionals and workers to grasp essential concepts more quickly than traditional methods. Some of the benefits of construction microlearning include the following.

1. It is Efficient

Microlearning is easily accessible to learners at all times and locations. Learners can customize their training schedule to suit their areas of interest and expertise, making the learning more relevant. 

2. It Allows Central Deployment

When an organization’s offices and project sites are at multiple locations, monitoring each employee’s training calendar and maintaining consistency in deploying the necessary learnings becomes difficult. Microlearning resolves this issue effortlessly. The IT department can easily manage, monitor and secure e-learning using relevant tools and strategies.  

3. It Increases Learner Engagement

Microlearning breaks down complicated training into bite-sized modules, making it easier for the learners to complete their learning within stipulated timelines. Also, they may access the necessary modules multiple times without worrying about going through the entire training again to get clarity on a minor issue or doubt. Thus, learners feel motivated to engage with the training materials. 

4. It Allows Needs-based Learning For Construction Workers

The construction industry is broad, with several interdependencies and knowledge requirements. The learning needs of construction professionals and workers vary greatly. Microlearning allows the learners to choose their training and design their career path, which is unique and appropriate for their specific learning needs. 

5. It Allows A Flexible Learning Approach

Construction professionals and workers are always on the move. They have no fixed working hours and need help maintaining a work-life balance. Microlearning allows them to access their training at their leisure, at any time and location, as long as they have a device and a good internet connection. 

6. It Saves Cost

Microlearning requires a one-time investment. In the long term, it saves the organization’s costs as they don’t need to book large spaces to deliver the training course, nor bear the expenses of their employees’ travels and accommodations.  

Possible Sources To Learn About Construction Microlearning

Choosing authentic, accurate, and relevant sources of information in today’s high-tech society is quite challenging. It poses a significant risk in the construction industry as any misleading information can lead to the failure of building projects and, in extreme cases, the loss of human life. Construction management and experts may consider the following sources to dissipate information regarding construction microlearning. 

1. Construction Projects

Managers may assign specific microlearning modules to respective learner categories at different project stages, such as designing, construction, and handover, to keep everyone up to speed with the necessary information. 

 

2. Online Blogs

Many blogs focus on information related to the construction industry. However, only a few are reliable for comprehensive knowledge about construction microlearning. The construction experts can guide the learners to identify credible blogs that provide verifiable information. 

3. Industry Publications

Many construction industry experts, research scholars, professionals, and authorities publish newsletters, journals, magazines, papers, and books. The learners may refer to such publications to gather knowledge regarding construction microlearning trends and courses. 

4. Youtube Videos

Lastly, numerous YouTube videos are readily available for learners to gain insights into the latest trends in construction microlearning. However, they must do their due diligence to ensure that the videos are authentic and provide verifiable information.

Microlearning Examples For the Construction Industry

This section discusses some examples of microlearning in the construction industry. 

1. Quick Video Lessons 

One of the most successful examples of microlearning is video lessons. Videos are engaging, keep the learners attentive, and increase their retention. 

Construction equipment has multiple components and requires clear demonstrations to ensure that the operators understand their machines correctly. Video lessons in the construction industry may include operator training. Easily accessible, bite-sized learning modules enable the operators to review the information on their respective construction machinery quickly and also allow them to pull out the necessary video whenever necessary while on the job.  

2. Competitive Games and Simulations

Gamification of training modules is slowly picking pace in the professional development sector. When combined with simulations, gamification can allow learners to grasp new information via friendly competitions in real-time virtual environments. It has specific applications in the construction industry, as developing a building involves many complex processes, compliances, and technology.  For example, a group of learners may have to install windows in a simulated environment. Whoever installs the maximum number of windows gets a higher ranking. Similarly, the training may introduce levels and prizes to motivate the learners.

3. Knowledge Checks and Assessments

Microlearning can also include knowledge checks and assessments to help the learners identify areas they have understood well and where they may need further training. If they cannot answer all questions correctly, they can simply rewatch the particular module instead of going through the full training again. 

4. Interactive Quizzes

Another way to check whether the learners have understood the microlearning lessons correctly is via interactive quizzes. Quizzes can help construction professionals and workers progress in their careers by enabling them to self-evaluate their performance and design their professional development training accordingly. 

Conclusion

Microlearning in the construction industry is already becoming highly popular as it allows construction professionals and workers to develop their skills at their leisure and design their career paths according to their training needs and interests. Microlearning offers innovative and appealing learning instruments for the new, tech-driven workforce in this rapidly transforming digital world.