Need ongoing, fast learning? Microlearning is an effective and emerging learning style to address the pressures of time constraints, information overload, and busy schedules by providing highly relevant and curated materials in small bursts at regular intervals.1
Benefits of microlearning include:
The MCH Navigator is pioneering a series of microlearning activities for the busy public health professional and student:
Quickly Learn About the Most Pressing Issues. A joint project of the National MCH Workforce Development Center and the MCH Navigator, MCHwork addresses knowledge and skills related to some of the most pressing issues of our time, starting with health equity in year one and moving onto community partnerships, evaluation and assessment, aligning plans and strategy building, and communication in subsequent years. Each quarter, a new skill related to the focus area will be shared via the the MCHalert newsletter. These skills will be presented in a Ready-Set-Go approach to kickstart learning, dig deeper into related competencies and skill sets, and move to implementation through resources and tools.
Dig into the MCH Leadership Competencies here. The 5-Minute MCH program is the Navigator's first microlearning program that explores the MCH Leadership Competencies through short, ongoing bursts of learning that encourage learners to proceed at their own pace, all while being engaged in a collaborative environment. For each competency, the program presents a 5-minute introduction, 5 learning opportunities, 5 implementation strategies, and a summary 15-minute discussion with an expert from the field. Learners can read what others have said about each module and submit their own comments and questions.
Continue learning here. Building on the momentum of 5-Minute MCH, this learning program focuses on the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals and topic areas in Health Transformation. Public Health Pronto will tap this broader set of competencies through the lens of MCH and will follow the successful format of the 5-Minute MCH program’s monthly schedule.
Self-Reflect for Perfect "Vision." As a field, we are being charged with a level of engagement unparalleled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this environment, it is often difficult to pause and think about our skills as MCH professionals. This microlearning program asks a series of 20 questions to jump-start your learning and sharpening of skills. Reflect on these 20 questions and see what other people are asking and thinking about during these difficult times.
Coming in 2022! Staff will incorporate the self-assessment, 5-Minute MCH, and the Public Health Pronto into a new offering for those who want to learn core content of an MPH program but are not able to attend a formal program due to time, geographic, or financial constraints. MCHsmart will be asynchronous and entirely online. Upon completion of the program, learners will take a post-assessment to track changes in knowledge and skills and will be awarded a certificate that can be used to document personal learning and/or fulfill professional development requirements. Sign up to be alerted when this new program is available!
Reference
1 Wikipedia. Microlearning Entry. Accessed July 19, 2016.