As the demand for accessible training continues to grow, businesses are shifting their operations so that they can cater to diverse learning styles and language preferences. According to the National Restaurant Association, we know that 22% of the restaurant workforce has less than a high school diploma, and 60% of employees are under the age of 65. At Opus, we’ve embraced microlearning, or delivering knowledge in small, manageable portions so that we can engage a wide audience and meet a spectrum of learning preferences.
By leveraging all types of multimedia (images, videos, GIFs, emojis, etc.), organizations can condense and enhance traditional long-form training materials into engaging microlearning experiences. Microlearning acknowledges the reality of modern attention spans and allows learners to engage with content at their own pace. Incorporating various types of multimedia amplifies its effectiveness.
Why Does Multimedia Matter in Learning and Development?
The answer lies in the principle of "Show, Don’t Tell." In an era where distractions abound, keeping learners focused has become more challenging. Social media platforms like TikTok are setting expectations, and that’s your “competition” for eyeballs and brain space.
Diverse media formats also meet the needs of different learning preferences, improving knowledge retention and training engagement. Complex processes can be illustrated with clarity and precision through a combination of animations, videos, text, and audio. This multi-sensory approach ensures that learners grasp information more effectively and retain it for longer periods.
When to Use Multimedia
When deciding which type of multimedia to use, it's essential to consider the primary types of media:
- Photos, images, and graphics provide visual cues that aid comprehension and memory retention.
- Video content, including animations and sound, offers dynamic storytelling opportunities that resonate with audiences on an emotional level.
- Memes, GIFs, and emojis injects humor and relatability into learning materials, fostering a more engaging experience.
Using Multimedia to Your Advantage
Despite its undeniable benefits, producing multimedia-rich content poses challenges. Chief among these is the lack of proficiency with creative tools. However, thanks to developments in generative AI and content creation, there is even more access to beginner-level tools to get started with, and most of them are available in your smartphone. In this three-part guide, we’ll map out tools and knowledge so that you can harness the power of multimedia in your training.
