The age of Instructional Design and microlearning
Since the pandemic, the world of education is shifting faster than ever, and the demand for smart, strategic digital learning experiences is skyrocketing. Enter: Instructional Design and microlearning, the dynamic duo transforming how we teach, learn, and grow.
I'm Bianca Raby—educator, author, serial entrepreneur, and yes, sometimes a unicorn (you'll get it soon). My company, Oppida, coined the term "unicorn" to describe those rare senior learning designers who blend Instructional Design, tech skills, leadership, and project management like total pros. And these unicorns? They're in demand.
Watch this video to learn more about our unicorns:
Instructional Design: the brains behind the digital boom
So, what's fueling this Instructional Design explosion? For starters, the global digital education market is predicted to hit $77.23 billion by 2028. That's no typo. With that kind of growth, someone has to design all the learning experiences, platforms, and courses to meet demand—and fast.
Instructional Design is at the core of this evolution. No longer confined to static compliance courses or corporate training slideshows, today's Instructional Design professionals are curating engaging, learner-focused experiences across industries. From healthcare to finance to education, everyone wants smarter learning design.
Teachers—this is where your skills come in. You already know how to design learning outcomes, simplify the complex, and engage diverse learners. Instructional Design just adds a few digital tools to your already brimming toolbox.
Microlearning: bite-sized brilliance
Now let's talk microlearning—arguably the buzzword of the decade. Why is it trending? Because our attention spans are shrinking and our learning needs are growing. Microlearning answers that call by delivering quick, focused bursts of learning. Boot camps, online certificates, webinars, short courses, even YouTube tutorials, these are all examples of microlearning.
The rise of microlearning aligns perfectly with the shift toward lifelong learning. We no longer pick one career path at 18 and stick with it for 30 years. Instead, we continuously upskill and pivot—and microlearning lets us do just that, on our own terms and schedules.
Instructional Design professionals are now being asked to design for this microlearning format more than ever. And let me be clear—microlearning isn't "less than". It's strategic, outcome-driven, and often harder to nail than traditional courses. But when done well, it's gold.
At Oppida, we've embraced the microlearning revolution. That's why we created our Learning Design Practitioner Micro Credential—a short, powerful way to upskill quickly and start working on the jobs that are flooding in.
So… what does this mean for you?
If you're a teacher looking beyond the classroom, now is the time to dive into Instructional Design and explore the world of microlearning. Your skills are needed. The industry is booming. And the unicorns? We're hiring.
Drop your thoughts below or connect with me—I'd love to hear where you see yourself in this digital microlearning revolution.