If you’re running training or enablement programs and keep hearing about “microlearning” but aren’t sure how to actually roll it out (and see if anyone’s doing it), you’re not alone. This guide is for managers, L&D folks, and admins who want to get real value from Smartwinnr—not just tick a box or chase vanity metrics. Here’s how to actually assign microlearning modules in Smartwinnr and track if they’re working, without wasting time on fluff.
What Is Microlearning, and Why Use It in Smartwinnr?
Microlearning is just a fancy way of saying “short, focused bits of training.” Think: less hour-long webinars, more quick-hit lessons or quizzes people can do between meetings. The idea is to keep things digestible, so people actually remember something.
Smartwinnr is a learning platform that specializes in this style. But just because it can do microlearning doesn’t mean every feature is worth your time. This guide will walk you through the parts that matter—assigning, tracking, and actually following up.
Step 1: Plan Your Microlearning Content First
Before you even log in to Smartwinnr, take five minutes to map out what you want people to learn. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a “content graveyard” that nobody uses.
- Decide the goal. What’s the one thing people should be able to do differently after the module?
- Keep it focused. One topic per module. If you have lots, break them up.
- Gather your materials. Videos, slides, quiz questions—have them ready.
Pro tip: Don’t overthink it. Short, clear lessons work better than slick, overproduced ones.
Step 2: Create Microlearning Modules in Smartwinnr
Once you’ve got your content, it’s time to build your modules in Smartwinnr. Here’s what to do:
- Log in and head to the “Content” area. This is where you’ll manage all your learning materials.
- Choose “Create Module.” Depending on your version, this might be called “Add Microlearning” or “New Module.”
- Add your content. Upload videos, PDFs, images, or type in your text. Most people skip the fancy formatting—don’t get bogged down here.
- Set up questions or quizzes. These are optional, but if you care about retention, add a few simple questions.
- Save and preview. Always preview before you assign—sometimes formatting gets weird.
What Works (and What Doesn’t)
- Works: Short videos, clear instructions, and 3-5 quiz questions.
- Doesn’t: Long PDFs, endless slideshows, or anything that takes more than 10 minutes to complete.
- Ignore: Gamification widgets, badges, or “leaderboards” unless you know your team is into that stuff. For most people, it’s a distraction.
Step 3: Assign Microlearning Modules to Learners
Now comes the part where most admins get tripped up: actually getting the right modules to the right people.
- Navigate to “Assignments” or “Campaigns.” (The label changes depending on your Smartwinnr setup.)
- Pick your module(s). Select one or several microlearning modules.
- Choose your audience.
- You can assign by individual, team, or role.
- Don’t overcomplicate it. Start with a small group if you’re testing.
- Set deadlines. Deadlines help, but keep them realistic. Microlearning is supposed to fit around real work.
- Send notifications. Most people will ignore email reminders, so don’t expect miracles. If it’s critical, mention it in a team meeting.
Pro tip: If you’re rolling out for the first time, assign to a pilot group. Get feedback, then tweak.
Step 4: Track Engagement and Completion
Assigning modules is one thing. Knowing if anyone actually did them (and learned something) is another.
Where to Find the Data
- Go to “Reports” or “Analytics.” This is where Smartwinnr shows who’s started, completed, or ignored your modules.
- Look for completion rates. If you see 80%+ completion, you’re doing well. If not, don’t panic—see who’s stuck and nudge them directly.
- Check quiz scores. Are people getting questions right? If everyone’s acing it, maybe your questions are too easy. If everyone’s failing, make them clearer.
What to Actually Track
- Completions: Did people finish the module?
- Performance: Did they pass the quiz or assessment?
- Time spent: Useful only if you see wildly different numbers (someone taking 2 minutes vs. 20 minutes).
What to Ignore
- Fancy engagement graphs: They look good, but rarely tell you anything actionable.
- “Average time to complete” stats: Unless you have a big problem, this is mostly noise.
Step 5: Follow Up and Iterate
Here’s where most microlearning programs flop: nobody follows up. A couple of quick things to keep your efforts from going to waste:
- Follow up with non-completers. A quick Slack or email beats automated reminders every time.
- Ask for feedback. Did people find it useful? Was it too long? Too boring? Most will appreciate being asked.
- Tweak your modules. If everyone hates a video, swap it out. If a quiz question confuses people, fix it.
- Share wins. If someone uses what they learned and gets a good result, let the team know. Real impact beats badges.
Pro tip: Don’t try to perfect everything on the first go. Launch, learn, and update as you go.
Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)
- Overloading learners: Don’t dump ten modules at once. Space them out.
- Ignoring feedback: If people say something’s broken or useless, believe them.
- Tracking vanity metrics: Who cares if someone logged in if they didn’t actually learn anything?
- Automating everything: Some manual follow-up is worth the time, especially early on.
Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Keep It Useful
Assigning and tracking microlearning in Smartwinnr isn’t rocket science, but it’s easy to overcomplicate. Focus on a few short, clear modules, get them to the right people, and actually look at who’s doing what. Skip the bells and whistles unless your team really wants them.
The real trick? Keep listening, keep tweaking, and don’t be afraid to ditch what isn’t working. The rest will take care of itself.