One of Learnie’s favorite customers recently asked us a question.
Hi Pete,
Hope you are having a great week. I’m reaching out with a question we have. We’re currently writing a protocol paper that describes our training and we are writing about how Learnie works. One of the questions we have is why Learnie chose 30 seconds as the time limit for a burst.
This made us realize that we had not really explained this to everyone, at least recently. So we wanted to rectify that here.
When it comes to training frontline and deskless workers, less is often more — especially when that “less” is backed by science. At Learnie, we’ve designed our microlearning bursts to last around 30 seconds each, and this isn’t an arbitrary choice. It’s based on well-established principles in cognitive psychology and neuroscience, particularly Cognitive Load Theory and the Forgetting Curve.
Let’s break down why this matters.
The Limits of Working Memory
Cognitive Load Theory, developed by educational psychologist John Sweller, emphasizes that our working memory — the part of the brain responsible for processing new information — is extremely limited. Overloading it with too much content at once leads to confusion, lower retention, and ultimately, ineffective learning.
In high-pressure, mobile work environments like home health care, workers are already juggling multiple cognitive demands: client needs, documentation, scheduling, safety protocols, and more. Introducing long-form training in these contexts risks pushing them beyond their cognitive limits.
That’s why Learnie’s content is built in 30-second bursts. This length is ideal for:
- Minimizing extraneous load (irrelevant or overly complex information)
- Focusing on germane load (the essential content related to job performance)
- Delivering one clear, actionable idea at a time
These short bursts allow learners to absorb information quickly and apply it immediately, without cognitive overload.
The Power of Spaced Learning & the Forgetting Curve
In addition to Cognitive Load Theory, Learnie’s approach also addresses the challenge of retention.
German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered the Forgetting Curve, which shows that learners forget up to 70% of new information within 24 hours if there is no reinforcement. This is especially true in fast-paced environments where training may be quickly displaced by real-world demands.
By delivering short, repeatable bursts that can be revisited at the point of need, Learnie promotes spaced learning — a method proven to flatten the Forgetting Curve. Learners can quickly re-engage with content they’ve already seen, reinforcing knowledge over time and increasing the likelihood of long-term retention.
Designed for the Flow of Work
Another key benefit of the 30-second format is that it fits seamlessly into the flow of work. Deskless and frontline employees rarely have the luxury of sitting through long sessions. Training must be fast, mobile, and immediately relevant — exactly what Learnie delivers.
Whether it’s a caregiver between patient visits, a field tech during a break, or a retail associate starting their shift, Learnie provides access to learning that respects their time, their role, and how they best absorb information.
In Summary
Learnie’s 30-second burst model is rooted in:
- Cognitive Load Theory: Helping learners process and retain information without overload
- The Forgetting Curve: Supporting spaced learning and better retention
- Workplace realities: Empowering deskless workers with relevant knowledge in the flow of work
This blend of science and practicality is what makes Learnie different — and why our partners see faster onboarding, better engagement, and higher retention across their frontline teams.
Ready to see the science in action? Visit our home healthcare page or reach out for a demo.