For many people, education and learning come with a certain weight. When we think about learning a new subject, we picture sitting in a class lecture, scribbling notes and trying to remember what’s said before the teacher moves on.

But realistically, learning happens all the time. And it can occur on a much smaller scale. For example, did you know that Saturn is the least-dense planet in our solar system?

You just learned something new.

This is an example of microlearning. Although it may sound like a buzzword, the fact is that microlearning is an excellent way of discovering and retaining new knowledge at a rapid pace. Compared to studying textbooks and listening to lectures, it’s also much more engaging.

But because micro learning can happen anytime, anywhere, many people assume that it can’t have larger, more practical advantages. Fortunately, that’s not true. In fact, here are several reasons why you should start taking micro learning seriously.

1. It Helps You Retain Information

If you’ve ever studied for extended periods (i.e., an all-nighter), then you know that there is a limit to how much data your brain can process in a single sitting. More often than not, you forget much of what you read, which renders the whole situation pointless.

With micro learning, however, it’s much easier for your brain to digest. Smaller bits of information can get processed faster, and better yet, you retain the details more easily. Remember what we said about Saturn? That’s microlearning in action.

2. It’s More Accessible

Whether it’s a video tutorial on YouTube or a mini-lesson you read on your mobile device, microlearning courses are available to everyone, no matter where you are. Unlike textbooks, which are expensive, massive, and hard to read on-demand, microlearning adapts to your needs and your schedule, not the other way around. Overall, education technology can make resources more widely available, which is why e-learning and micro learning is so powerful.

3. It’s More Engaging

If someone said that you had to read 10 pages about a new subject by tomorrow, you would likely put it off until the last minute. However, if you were told to read one page instead, then it would seem a lot easier and doable.

Microlearning not only helps you retain information quicker, but it helps you stay engaged with the subject. Since it’s short bursts of data, you’re much more receptive to it, which is part of the reason why it sticks better in your mind.

Think about it like this. Would you rather study for five hours straight, or in 10 sessions of 30 minutes each? While it may seem like more, each course is easier to finish, which makes you more capable of completing them all the way, rather than giving up halfway through.

4. Bottom Line – Microlearning Works

While we’re not here to say that mobile learning will replace traditional educational tools, it’s a helpful method of learning some new information and skills on an ongoing basis. While microlearning may not work for getting a college degree, it can be beneficial if you’re trying to learn a language or how to draw. By breaking up the lessons into bite-sized pieces, you’re more likely to succeed.

Now, which planet in our solar system is the least dense?