Bite Sized Learning

An approach to learning in which a single focused learning outcome, concept, skill, term, sound bites, or similar, is undertaken as a small chunk, a 'bite', of learning in one session. The session would typically last from between 1 minute and 15 minutes, with 5 to 10 minutes being a helpful mid-range time scale, but this would depend on what is being learnt.

One benefit of bite sized learning is that small elements of a larger subject area can be attempted at more convenient times than for example a typically study or learning session, which might last from 45 minutes to 2-hours.

Another benefit is that with the often-busy modern lifestyle, especially with many more potential activities vying for our attention, being able to have small learning sessions available to take at different times during the day might be more appropriate for some learners. Being able to absorb very small amounts of information at a time can be more suitable for some learners.

Bite sized learning can be very helpful where for example a plant or organism is wanting to be identified. Providing readily accessible information, typically via a mobile device, to some focused learning content would be very helpful in this context.

Having an introduction to a subject, acting as a refresher of prior knowledge or skill, or encouraging reflection on a specific feature, can also lend itself to bite sized learning. This approach can also help to act as a catalyst to the engagement of further learning.

Challenges and limitations of the bite sized approach are that if a larger learning programme was deconstructed into a multitude of bite sized learning sessions it would be important to ensure the course is well structured. This might be achieved through well stated aims and objectives (as should any course) but also clear links and meaning between the many bite sized elements, otherwise a learner can easily become confused and unable to understand how the various smaller parts fit together to form the whole.

Having many small pieces of learning can result in a learner becoming disengaged from the learning as whilst the learning is readily available and easily slotted into any spare time, this effectively acts as a delaying mechanism where the learning is put-off until a later a date on the assumption that it can be easily slotted in so there is no urgency or need to study at the present time.

This is effectively a vicious downward cycle and the time periods between each learning session becomes longer and longer until it is no longer engaged with. Having the discipline to regularly engage with bite sized learning is an essential requirement for it to succeed.

If more in depth analysis or evaluation is required, especially where more complex subjects are to be learnt, then this does not generally lend itself to bite sized learning. Another disadvantage of bite sized learning, typically, is the limited ability to recall from memory information learnt in the short session. Essentially no, or very limited, long term learning or recall takes place.

Bite sized learning, as a complement to a structured in-depth learning programme, can be considered a good way of differentiating learning, adding variety and value to methods of learning. This term is also referred to as Byte Sized Learning, Micro-Learning, Nano Learning, but they all really mean the same thing.