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A review of the trend of microlearning
Leong, Kelvin Sung, Anna Blanchard, Claire Au, David
Leong, Kelvin
Sung, Anna
Blanchard, Claire
Au, David
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Publication Date
2020-12-17
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Abstract
Purpose
Microlearning has been considered as a promising topic in work-based learning. This paper aims to
review the trends of microlearning in terms of related publications and internet searches. Hopefully,
the findings can serve as a reference for the education sector, government, business and academia,
to promote, design and use microlearning.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, two sets of analysis were conducted. Firstly, we analysed the publication trend of
microlearning. Second, we analysed the trend of internet searches related to microlearning. More
specifically, we analysed 14-years real-world data obtained from Scopus and Google Trends for the
purpose. These data include the first relevant publication found in the database.
Findings
In total, 476 relevant publication have been identified during 2006 to 2019. According to the findings
from analysing the identified publications, microlearning is a relevant new and emerging global topic
involving authors, affiliations and funding sponsors from different countries. Moreover, many
microlearning related publications were conducted from perspectives of elearning or mobile learning.
Furthermore, we notice higher education was the most frequently mentioned education level in the
identified publications. On the other hand, language learning (i.e. second language, vocabulary
learning) had been mentioned more times in the titles and abstracts then other subject areas. Overall,
the increasing trend of publications on ‘microlearning’ (as a knowledge supply) is in line with the
established increasing internet searches of ‘microlearning’ (as a practical demand) in recent years.
Practical implications
From the work-based learning perspective, microlearning has been considered as one of the key topics
in talent development topics. Policymakers, educators, researchers and participators, have the
responsibility to explore how to promote, design and use microlearning to help people to learn in the
right direction through valid knowledge with ethical consideration.
Originality/value
Although many works had been done on microlearning, there is a lack of comprehensive studies
reviewing the trends of microlearning in terms of related publications and internet searches. This
study aims to fill this gap by analysing real-world data obtained from Scopus and Google Trends - these
data include the first relevant publication found in the database. We believe this is the first time that
a study has been conducted to comprehensively review the development trends of microlearning.
Hopefully, this study can shed some light on related research.
Citation
Leong, K., Sung, A., Blanchard, C. & Au D. (2021). A review of the trend of microlearning. Journal of Work-Applied Management, 13(1), 88-102. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWAM-10-2020-0044
Publisher
Emerald
Journal
Journal of Work-Applied Management
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Article
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Series/Report no.
ISSN
2205-2062