Enhancing Employee Learning with Microlearning and Microsoft 365 Tools
Tags: microsoft, microsoft365, microsoftcloud, microlearning
Published: 2023-02-07 09:47:49

In today's fast-paced work environment, microlearning has emerged as a popular approach to employee learning and development. With its focus on bite-sized, easily digestible chunks of information, microlearning has proven to be an effective way to support learning and development in the modern workplace. One of the key benefits of microlearning is that it can be easily integrated into the daily work routine, allowing employees to learn and develop at their own pace and on their own time. To support microlearning, organizations are increasingly turning to Microsoft 365 tools and services. In this blog post, we will explore how SharePoint Online, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Stream, Microsoft Forms, and Viva Learning can be used to manage and distribute microlearning content and support employee learning and development.

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_My name is Jaime López and I have been working as a developer and architect for more than 20 years. If you like this article click on the heart, if you like the article follow me, and if you want to enrich the content add comments._

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## Microlearning essential components

The contents of microlearning can vary greatly depending on the subject matter and the intended learning outcomes. However, some of the most common types of content used in microlearning include:

1. Short videos: These can be used to quickly explain a concept, demonstrate a process, or provide an overview of a topic.

1. Infographics: These can be used to present information in a visual and easily digestible format.

1. Short articles: These can provide more in-depth explanations of a topic, and can be used to reinforce learning or provide additional context.

1. Interactive quizzes: Quizzes can be used to reinforce learning and test comprehension, and can also be used for formative assessments.

1. Interactive simulations: These can be used to provide hands-on, interactive experiences that allow learners to practice and apply what they have learned.

1. Micro-lessons: These are short, focused lessons that cover one specific aspect of a topic in depth.

1. Podcasts: These can be used to deliver information and training on the go, and can be accessed through a smartphone or tablet.

The contents of microlearning can be delivered in a variety of formats, including web pages, mobile apps, and even virtual and augmented reality environments. The key is to provide learners with just the right amount of information, at the right time, in a format that is easy to consume and engage.

## Exploring Microsoft 365 for Microlearning

Microsoft 365 provides a suite of tools and services that make it an excellent option for storing, managing, and distributing microlearning content. SharePoint, for example, can be used to store and manage all types of learning content, including videos, articles, and quizzes. Microsoft Teams provides a centralized platform for delivering microlearning content and tracking employee progress and also integrates with other tools, such as OneNote, which can be used to take notes during training. Microsoft Stream provides a platform for delivering video content, and Viva Learning integrates with LinkedIn Learning to provide access to a wide range of learning resources. Additionally, Microsoft 365 is highly scalable and secure, making it an ideal solution for organizations of all sizes and industries. With these tools and services, organizations can streamline their learning and development efforts, increase employee engagement, and drive better business outcomes.

![Online Learning by Julia M Cameron](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc8780158-2e98-40b3-b660-afde8897f7d1_640x427.jpeg)

This list includes the Microsoft 365 tools and services that will be discussed in the following chapters, explaining their main features for Microlearning:

1. SharePoint Online
1. Microsoft Teams
1. Microsoft Stream
1. Microsoft Forms
1. Viva Learning

## 1. SharePoint Online

SharePoint Online can be used in a variety of ways to manage and distribute microlearning content. Some of the ways that SharePoint can be used include:

1. Document Libraries: SharePoint document libraries can be used to store and organize all types of learning content, including videos, articles, and quizzes. Documents can be easily searched and accessed by employees, and metadata can be used to categorize and sort content for easy discovery.

1. Pages: SharePoint pages can be used to create custom microlearning content, such as interactive quizzes, infographics, and micro-lessons. Pages can be created using a simple drag-and-drop interface and can be easily customized to meet the needs of your organization.

1. Lists: SharePoint lists can be used to track employee progress, store test scores, and manage other important learning data. Lists can be integrated with other SharePoint features, such as workflows and alerts, to automate key processes and ensure that the right information is delivered to the right people at the right time.

1. Workflows: SharePoint workflows (Power Automate based) can be used to automate key processes related to microlearning, such as content approval, progress tracking, and reporting. Workflows can be configured to meet the specific needs of your organization and can be triggered by events, such as the completion of a quiz or the upload of a new video.

1. Permissions: SharePoint permissions can be used to control access to microlearning content, ensuring that only the right people have access to the information they need. Permissions can be assigned at the site, list, or item level, and can be managed by site administrators.

By leveraging SharePoint Online, organizations can create a centralized, scalable, and secure platform for managing and distributing microlearning content, while also streamlining learning and development efforts and increasing employee engagement.

## 2. Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a powerful platform that can be used to manage and distribute microlearning content. Some of the ways that Teams can be used to support microlearning include:

1. Channels: Teams channels can be used to deliver microlearning content to specific groups of employees, such as departments, teams, or project groups. Channels can be configured to deliver targeted content, such as video lessons, articles, and quizzes, directly to employees' Teams dashboards.

1. Tabs: Teams tabs can be used to host microlearning content, such as interactive quizzes, infographics, and micro-lessons.

1. Chat: Teams chat provides a platform for delivering short, informal learning opportunities, such as bite-sized lessons or quick-hit quizzes. Chat can be used to deliver content in real-time, allowing employees to engage with learning content on their own schedule.

1. Meetings: Teams meetings can be used to deliver live, virtual training sessions, such as webinars, workshops, and micro-lectures. Meetings can be recorded and shared with employees who missed the session, providing a self-paced learning opportunity.

1. Integration: Teams integrates with other Microsoft 365 tools and services, such as SharePoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Stream, providing a centralized platform for delivering and managing microlearning content.

Microsoft Teams provides organizations with an effective, collaborative learning platform that promotes employee engagement and improves learning outcomes. It enables the creation and delivery of microlearning content, tracking of employee progress, and storage of learning data, making it an ideal choice for streamlining learning and development efforts.

## 3. Microsoft Stream

Microsoft Stream is a video platform that can be used to manage and distribute microlearning content. Some of the ways that Microsoft Stream can be used to support microlearning include:

1. Video hosting: Microsoft Stream can be used to host and share videos, making it an ideal platform for delivering microlearning content in various formats, such as recorded lectures, tutorials, and demos.

1. Automatic captioning and translation: Microsoft Stream supports automatic captioning and translation, allowing organizations to deliver microlearning content in multiple languages, and making it accessible to a wider audience.

1. Accessibility: Microsoft Stream includes accessibility features such as closed captioning, keyboard navigation, and transcriptions, making it easier for employees with disabilities to access and engage with microlearning content.

1. Playlists: Microsoft Stream supports the creation of playlists, making it easy to organize and group microlearning content by topic, skill, or audience.

1. Integration: Microsoft Stream integrates with other Microsoft 365 tools and services, such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, providing a centralized platform for delivering and managing microlearning content.

1. Analytics: Microsoft Stream provides analytics, such as views, engagement, and completion rates, allowing organizations to measure the impact and effectiveness of their microlearning content.

1. Sharing: Microsoft Stream supports secure sharing, allowing organizations to deliver microlearning content to employees, partners, and customers, as well as external stakeholders.

![Microsoft Stream mobile and desktop example](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F488119e0-cc13-42ac-9788-bcaaec26b093_1069x768.png)

By utilizing Microsoft Stream, organizations can create an engaging video-based learning environment that supports modern learning needs and drives better employee engagement. Microsoft Stream can be used to deliver and manage microlearning content, as well as track employee progress and store learning data, making it an ideal platform for organizations looking to streamline their learning and development efforts.

## 4. Microsoft Forms

Microsoft Forms is a tool in Microsoft 365 that can be used to manage and distribute microlearning content in several ways. Some of the ways that Microsoft Forms can support microlearning include:

1. Assessment: Microsoft Forms can be used to create and administer assessments, such as quizzes and surveys, to test and evaluate employee understanding of microlearning content.

1. Feedback: Microsoft Forms can be used to gather feedback from employees on microlearning content, allowing organizations to improve and refine their microlearning programs.

1. Engagement: Microsoft Forms can be used to create interactive and engaging microlearning content, such as quizzes and surveys, to increase employee engagement and participation.

1. Tracking: Microsoft Forms provides robust tracking and analytics capabilities, allowing organizations to track employee progress and performance, and measure the impact of their microlearning programs.

1. Integration: Microsoft Forms integrates with other Microsoft 365 tools and services, such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneNote, providing a centralized platform for delivering and managing microlearning content.

1. Customization: Microsoft Forms can be customized and configured to meet the specific needs of an organization, allowing organizations to tailor their microlearning content to their unique learning and development requirements.

![Link to Microsoft Forms official video](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/videoplayer/embed/RE4FPH8?autoplay=false)

By using Microsoft Forms, organizations can be used to create, store, and share microlearning content, as well as track employee progress and measure the impact of their microlearning programs. Additionally, Microsoft Forms can be integrated with other Microsoft 365 tools and services to provide a centralized platform for delivering and managing microlearning content, making it an ideal platform for organizations looking to support modern learning needs and drive better employee engagement.

## 5. Viva Learning

Viva Learning is a Microsoft 365 tool of the Microsoft Viva family designed to support modern learning and development needs, including microlearning. Viva Learning provides a centralized platform for managing and delivering microlearning content, allowing organizations to support employee learning and development in a flexible and effective way. Some of the ways that Viva Learning can be used to manage and distribute microlearning content include:

1. Content Library: Viva Learning provides a centralized library of microlearning content, allowing employees to access relevant learning resources from a single location.

1. Personalized Learning: Viva Learning supports personalized learning, delivering microlearning content to employees based on their roles, skills, and interests.

1. Integration with Microsoft Teams: Viva Learning integrates with Microsoft Teams, allowing organizations to deliver and manage microlearning content directly from the Teams platform.

1. Insights and Analytics: Viva Learning provides insights and analytics, allowing organizations to track employee progress and measure the impact of their microlearning programs.

1. Collaboration: Viva Learning supports collaboration, allowing employees to share and discuss microlearning content, and provide feedback on learning resources.

1. Mobile Access: Viva Learning provides mobile access, allowing employees to access microlearning content from anywhere, on any device.

![Link to Viva Learning official video](ttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/videoplayer/embed/RE4TUFu?autoplay=false)

By leveraging Viva Learning, organizations can support employee learning and development in a modern and effective way, driving better engagement and outcomes. Viva Learning provides a centralized platform for managing and delivering microlearning content. Whether employees need to access learning resources on the go or collaborate with peers to develop their skills, Viva Learning can support modern learning and development needs, helping organizations drive better employee engagement and performance.

## Summary

As someone who has worked with Microsoft 365 tools, I have found that SharePoint Online, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Stream, Microsoft Forms, and Viva Learning are incredibly effective for managing and delivering microlearning content. 

In my experience, the tools shown in this article have allowed organizations to enhance employee engagement and support learning and development in a modern and effective way. They have proven to be reliable and user-friendly, making them a top choice for managing and distributing microlearning content.

> _OpenAI's GPT-3 was used to help write this article by providing the author with ideas and suggestions for content._

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