The term microlecture is used not to refer to microcontent

Microcontent

There are at least two interpretations of the term microcontent. Usability adviser Jakob Nielsen originally referred to microcontent as small groups of words that can be skimmed by a person to get a clear idea of the content of a Web page. He included article headlines, page titles, subject lines...

 for microlearning

Microlearning

Microlearning deals with relatively small learning units and short-term learning activities. Generally, the term "microlearning" refers to micro-perspectives in the context of learning, education and training...

, but to actual instructional content that is formatted for online and mobile learning using a constructivist approach. More specifically, as described in the Chronicle of Higher Education, these are approximately 60 second presentations with a specific structure. They are not just brief (one minute) presentations: although Dr. McGrew had success with "one minute lectures" at the University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa

The University of Northern Iowa is a college located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. UNI offers more than 120 majors across the colleges of Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral sciences, and graduate college.UNI has...

 as did Dr. Kee at the University of Leeds

University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...

.

David M. Penrose (aka the One Minute Professor), the Director of Academic Technology at Antioch University, of SunGard Higher Education

SunGard

SunGard is a multinational company based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, which provides software and services to education, financial services, and public sector organizations. It was formed in 1983, as a spin-off of the computer services division of Sun Oil Company, during a period of low crude oil...

 has articulated the process for creating these microlectures. As stated (Shieh, 2009), these specific lecture

Lecture

thumb|A lecture on [[linear algebra]] at the [[Helsinki University of Technology]]A lecture is an oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject, for example by a university or college teacher. Lectures are used to convey critical information, history,...

s are combined with specific activities designed to promote the epistemic engagement of the learner. The response of the Higher Education community was mixed, with some positive and some negative.

The interest surrounding the use of microlectures has continued to grow, even outside of the United States, to places like Hong Kong University. In the United States, the use of microlectures are even considered a vital part of the Pandemic Response Plans. Additionally, even scholars at schools like Princeton University (Humanities Resource Center) and UNC's School of Government, support the importance of an innovative teaching-learning approach for learners in the 21st century.

How to create a One Minute Lecture

Professors spend a lot of time crafting hourlong lectures. The prospect of boiling them down to 60 seconds — or even five minutes — may seem daunting. David Penrose, a course designer for SunGard Higher Education who developed San Juan College's microlectures, suggests that it can be done in five steps:

• List the key concepts you are trying to convey in the 60-minute lecture.
  
  That series of phrases will form the core of your microlecture.
  
  
  
  


• Write a 15 to 30-second introduction and conclusion.
  
  They will provide context for your key concepts.
  
  
  
  


• Record these three elements using a microphone and Web camera.
  
  (Your information-technology department can provide advice and facilities.)
  
  If you want to produce an audio-only lecture, no Webcam is necessary.
  
  The finished product should be 60 seconds to three minutes long.
  
  
  
  


• Design an assignment to follow the lecture that will direct students to readings or activities that allow them to explore the key concepts.
  
  Combined with a written assignment, that should allow students to learn the material.
  
  
  
  


• Upload the video and assignment to your course-management software.

See also

Microcontent

Microcontent

There are at least two interpretations of the term microcontent. Usability adviser Jakob Nielsen originally referred to microcontent as small groups of words that can be skimmed by a person to get a clear idea of the content of a Web page. He included article headlines, page titles, subject lines...

Microlearning

Microlearning

Microlearning deals with relatively small learning units and short-term learning activities. Generally, the term "microlearning" refers to micro-perspectives in the context of learning, education and training...

Online Learning

Instructional Design

Instructional design

Instructional Design is the practice of creating "instructional experiences which make the acquisition of knowledge and skill more efficient, effective, and appealing." The process consists broadly of determining the current state and needs of the learner, defining the end goal of instruction, and...