“Microlearning,” or absorbing new information in short bursts, opens up a lot of opportunities for our members. Without setting aside the hours, days or even weeks of time that traditional classes might require, microlearning allows occupational safety and health professionals to quickly hone the skills they need to perform at their best. Designed to be experienced in five minutes or less, ASSE’s micro-learning modules cover a wide variety of topics, such as how to read a financial statement and how to run an engaging safety committee meeting.

We rely on the knowledge and expertise of members to effectively cover the subjects that matter most to them. Without asking safety pros to try their hand at filmmaking or using highly-specialized technology, we provide a scripting tool and a Microsoft Word document online that any member can access at any time to offer ideas. Last year, we put out a call for microlearning module submissions with a new twist – there would be a competition among all chapters, Practice Specialties and Common Interest Groups. The community with the most submissions by November 1 would be the winner.

Now, we are happy to announce that with five submissions, first place goes to the Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) Common Interest Group. The Utilities Practice Specialty was the runner-up with two submissions and the Young Professionals Common Interest Group and Construction Practice Specialty were tied for third place with one submission each.

The members of WISE knew immediately after learning about the contest that this was a way they could use their skills as educators across diverse industries to help others. WISE Administrator Kelly Bernish and Assistant Administrator Abby Ferri set up a conference call just days later, and interested participants volunteered for topics. During this call, and the follow-up calls after that, one thing became clear: WISE was in it to win it.

“WISE initiatives are often used as models for other groups within ASSE and other organizations,” Ferri said. “We sought to continue our trendsetting ways by aiming to be the CIG with the most microlearning modules submitted through this challenge.”

These highly-motivated and engaged competitors leveraged social media and their board to come up with innovative ideas that would contribute to the professional development of other ASSE members. The group’s first-hand experiences with microlearning informed their approach, according to Bernish.

“I use them all the time – but there is a right time and place for them,” she said. “They cannot be used for everything, but they are a nice way to continually drive a culture of safety in an organization.

“WISE initiatives are often used as models for other groups within ASSE and other organizations,” Ferri said. “We sought to continue our trendsetting ways by aiming to be the CIG with the most microlearning modules submitted through this challenge.”

These highly-motivated and engaged competitors leveraged social media and their board to come up with innovative ideas that would contribute to the professional development of other ASSE members. The group’s first-hand experiences with microlearning informed their approach, according to Bernish.

“I use them all the time – but there is a right time and place for them,” she said. “They cannot be used for everything, but they are a nice way to continually drive a culture of safety in an organization.