Amplifying Learning: Revolutinising Higher Education with Microlearning Practices
- UM Research
- May 9
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, traditional teaching methodologies often struggle to address the dynamic needs of modern learners. Recognising these challenges, Nurul Fitriah Alias, under the supervision of Associate Prof. Dr. Rafiza Binti Abdul Razak of Universiti Malaya, has developed the groundbreaking AMPLIFY framework. This research, focused on microlearning pedagogy, provides a structured approach to enhance educational experiences by integrating technology, personalisation, and active engagement.
Nurul recently completed her Ph.D. in Educational Science and Teacher Training at the University of Malaya, successfully passing her viva in December 2024. Impressively, she completed her Ph.D. within just two years, starting in October 2022, achieving "Graduate on Time" (GOT). In addition to her doctoral achievements, Nurul serves as a lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), where she has been teaching for nearly a decade. Her academic and professional journey reflects a passion for innovative teaching methods, curriculum development, and advancing the quality of education.
The success of this study is owed to the invaluable guidance of Associate Prof. Dr. Rafiza Binti Abdul Razak, a leading academic in educational technology and curriculum development at the Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya. With a career spanning decades, Dr. Rafiza has earned recognition for her contributions to advancing pedagogical practices through innovative frameworks and strategies.
Her research expertise includes instructional design, technology-enhanced learning, and the development of learner-centered approaches in education. Dr. Rafiza’s mentorship has been instrumental in shaping the AMPLIFY framework, ensuring its theoretical rigor and practical applicability.
Microlearning is a learner-centered pedagogical approach that delivers content in small, focused bursts, ensuring better retention and engagement. Unlike traditional methods, which rely on lengthy lectures and extensive reading, microlearning capitalises on concise, modular content that can be consumed quickly and effectively.
"Microlearning caters to the fast-paced lifestyles of today’s students while fostering deep understanding through repeated and focused learning experiences," explains Dr. Rafiza.
This research highlights how microlearning addresses key challenges faced by students, such as information overload, limited attention spans, and a lack of personalised learning paths.
The primary contribution of this research is the development of the AMPLIFY framework, a revolutionary model for microlearning in education. Designed by Nurul and refined under Dr. Rafiza’s mentorship, AMPLIFY creates focused, engaging, and adaptable learning experiences tailored to individual learners' needs.
The framework’s key components include:
Clear Learning Objectives: Ensuring every lesson is outcome-driven.
Personalised Content: Adapting materials to match individual learners' needs.
Continuous Feedback: Facilitating improvement and clarity in learning.
Efficient Content Delivery: Using technology to provide concise, impactful lessons.
Interactive Experiences: Encouraging active participation.
Social Interaction: Promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Seamless Curriculum Integration: Aligning microlearning with broader educational goals.
What truly sets AMPLIFY apart is its holistic and integrative design, ensuring that every aspect from lesson delivery to assessment and collaboration operates in harmony to support meaningful learning.
Notably, the framework has received official recognition through a copyright certificate granted by the Malaysian government, underscoring its originality and value in advancing educational science.
The development of AMPLIFY followed a meticulous research methodology comprising four phases:
Analysis Phase:
Nurul identified academic challenges such as disengagement, ineffective retention, and difficulties in accessing relevant materials. Applied Cognitive Task Analysis (ACTA) was used to map cognitive tasks, uncovering opportunities for introducing microlearning to address these challenges.
Design Phase:
During this phase, Nurul conceptualized the AMPLIFY framework, ensuring each element aligned with pedagogical best practices and technological capabilities.
Development Phase:
This phase focused on creating practical tools and strategies, including interactive modules, multimedia-rich content, and mobile-friendly platforms.
Evaluation Phase:
Rigorous testing with students and educators provided critical feedback, validating the framework’s feasibility and effectiveness.
"The phased approach ensured that AMPLIFY was not only theoretically sound but also practical and adaptable to the diverse needs of higher education," Nurul reflects.
The AMPLIFY framework offers a blueprint for seamlessly integrating microlearning into existing curricula. Educators can transform traditional lecture-based methods into dynamic, interactive experiences.
Key features include mobile-friendly design, enabling students to access materials anytime, anywhere, and personalised learning paths, ensuring students progress at their own pace. Additionally, learning analytics provide educators with actionable insights to adapt teaching strategies effectively.
Preliminary testing revealed significant improvements in student engagement and retention. Students appreciated the ease of integrating microlearning into their busy schedules, while educators noted higher participation rates and improved outcomes.
"AMPLIFY demonstrates how microlearning can make education more accessible, engaging, and effective," says Nurul.
Developing AMPLIFY was not without hurdles. Balancing accessibility, technological integration, and pedagogical depth presented challenges. However, these were overcome through collaborative efforts, iterative refinement, and the use of advanced tools such as ACTA.
Nurul envisions AMPLIFY as a dynamic framework that evolves with advancements in educational technology. Future research will explore incorporating artificial intelligence, gamification, and virtual reality to enhance its capabilities further.
"Our ultimate goal is to create a learning ecosystem that empowers students and fosters lifelong learning," she emphasises.
AMPLIFY has the potential to redefine higher education globally. By addressing modern learners' challenges and leveraging technology to create personalised, interactive experiences, it sets a new standard for teaching practices.
"Higher education institutions must embrace innovative strategies like microlearning to remain relevant in today’s fast-changing world," says Dr. Rafiza.
The AMPLIFY framework represents a transformative leap in pedagogical practices, offering a structured approach to microlearning that addresses the evolving needs of students. Through its innovative design and adaptability, AMPLIFY is paving the way for a future where education is accessible, personalised, and impactful.
The Framework: AMPLIFY: Advancing Microlearning Practices for Enhanced Learning Experiences
The primary contribution of this research is the development of the AMPLIFY framework, a groundbreaking approach to microlearning in education. AMPLIFY is designed to create more focused, engaging, and adaptable learning experiences tailored to individual learners' needs. Its key components include clear learning objectives, personalized content, continuous feedback, efficient content delivery, interactive experiences, social interaction, and seamless curriculum integration— all working cohesively to enhance learning outcomes.
What truly sets AMPLIFY apart is its holistic and integrative design, which ensures that every aspect from lesson delivery to assessment and collaboration—operates in harmony to support meaningful learning.
Notably, the framework has received official recognition through a copyright certificate granted by the Malaysian government, underscoring its originality and value in advancing educational science.
This research, conducted by Nurul Fitriah Alias and supervised by Associate Prof. Dr. Rafiza Abdul Razak, is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of education.
Nurul Fitriah Binti Alias’s book, titled Revolutionising Higher Education: A Practical Guide to AMPLIFY Microlearning Experiences, was published in 2024 by University Malaya Press, co-authored with, Assoc Prof Dr. Rafiza Abdul Razak
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Researchers featured:
Nurul Fitriah Binti Alias is a Ph.D. graduate from the Faculty of Education, supervised by Associate Prof. Dr. Rafiza Abdul Razak.
Currently, Nurul serves as a lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).
Associate Prof. Dr. Rafiza Binti Abdul Razak
Department of Curriculum and Instructional Technology
Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya
T: 03-79675026
Author:
Ms Puungkodi Paramasivam
Puungkodi Paramasivam is a fast-track PhD candidate at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, who finds solace and purpose in writing amidst the challenges of academic research. This is one of her many contributions to the UM Research Bulletin, a platform she values for showcasing groundbreaking work while allowing her to channel her creativity. Writing, she says, serves as a positive distraction from the demands of her PhD journey, enabling her to engage meaningfully with diverse fields of study. Proud to be an author under the UM Research Bulletin, Puungkodi continues to highlight innovative research and inspire others.
Copyedit:
Siti Farhana Bajunid Shakeeb Arsalaan Bajunid, Assistant Registrar, UM
Nurhazrin Zanzabir, Assistant Aministrative Officer, UM
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