Social microlearning motivates learners to pursue higher-level cognitive objectives

Abstract

With the advent of the smart phone, technology enhanced learning ultimately became mobile. The combination of small devices and ubiquitous availability promoted a certain type of informal learning called microlearning. Unfortunately, micro-learners tend to focus on the lower level cognitive objectives remembering and understanding. Social microlearning seeks to engage the learners in activities of higher cognitive levels – such as analyzing, evaluating and creating – by using successful strategies of social software. Early results confirm the assumption that learners’ activities evolve towards higher cognitive levels over time spent on a particular subject in a social microlearning environment. Consequently, social micro-learners gain deeper insights by progressing through an upwards spiral of competence development.