Steal This Learning Path (+ My Best Microlearning Design Tips)

Remember the last time you tried explaining a complex topic and watched eyes glaze over?
I built something different — a three-part microlearning series on AI & Sustainability. The topic is huge, the tech evolves faster than most of us can keep up with, and let’s be real — most corporate learners don’t have time for another 60-minute webinar.

I originally created it as an example for a client, but realized it could help more L&D professionals, so I'm sharing it with you.

✅ Three bite-sized courses designed to help corporate sustainability leaders leverage AI to meet their goals.

✅ Fully editable & ready to launch as a drip-style learning campaign across Slack, MS Teams, SMS, WhatsApp, email, etc — wherever your learners already are.

👉 Check it out here

Below, I’ll break down how I designed this learning path — what’s working, why it’s effective, and how you can adapt the same approach for your own training.

If you'd like these courses transferred to your 7taps user account, they're available for you to use as-is or modify to suit your specific needs. Just comment below or reach out to me kate@7taps.com.

What Makes This Learning Path Work? Five Key Principles

✅ Starts with reality, not fantasy

In Course 1, there's no grandiose opening about "digital transformation revolutionizing sustainability." Instead, it opens with a practical assessment: "How confident do you feel in your ability to lead AI-driven sustainability initiatives?" This creates an immediate personal connection and acknowledges varied starting points.

The audio case study in Course 2 doesn't hide failure; it admits it: "I once championed an AI solution for our supply chain without thoroughly assessing our data quality. The project stalled, wasting time and resources." This honesty establishes credibility in a way that polished success stories never could.

✅ Builds a structured journey without overcommitting — bite-sized, but meaningful

The three-course structure creates natural progression from understanding to evaluation to implementation, but each 10-12 minute module stands alone. Notice how Course 2 begins with "You've grasped the basics of AI in climate mitigation" — acknowledging previous learning while still being accessible to someone starting here.

✅ Mixes formats intentionally — quizzes, role-plays, audio, and interactive elements work together

Look at how the quizzes don't just test recall — they reinforce key decision points: "When evaluating an AI solution for sustainability, which factor is LEAST critical to consider initially?" This builds judgment, not just knowledge.

The role-play in Course 3 directly addresses resistance: "Our AI project for optimizing energy use is facing resistance. Some team members see it as a threat to their jobs." This tackles the human side of implementation that's often ignored in technical training.

✅ Keeps participation low-stakes — no pressure, just engagement

The audio challenge in Course 1 creates engagement without public exposure: "Describe one sustainability challenge in your company. Then, suggest one way AI could help solve it. Keep it simple: What's the problem? How could AI make a difference?" It's private, brief, and immediately applicable.

✅ Ends with clear next steps — action-oriented learning, not just knowledge transfer

Learning shouldn't just "wrap up" — it should propel learners forward. That’s why this learning path doesn’t end with a generic summary. Instead, it guides learners toward tangible next steps:

• A checklist to assess AI opportunities in their own organization.
• A reflection prompt that turns theory into action.
• A low-stakes commitment — marking off steps they’ll take next.

It’s about momentum, not just completion. Because the best learning experiences don’t just inform, they instigate real change.

How It’s Designed

The approach I used for creating this learning path is what I call "respectful learning" — content that honors the intelligence and constraints of busy professionals while delivering genuine value in small packages. It's microlearning that actually works, rather than just chopping a two-hour course into twenty six-minute segments (please don’t do that).

The sustainability focus makes this content timely, but the structure could work equally well for digital transformation, leadership development, or any topic that requires conceptual understanding + practical application.

So how do you apply these principles to your own learning design? Here’s what I’ve found works best:

1. Ditch your introduction slides

Instead of spending three slides explaining what's coming, Course 2 jumps right in: "Welcome back, sustainability champions! You've grasped the basics of AI in climate mitigation. Now, let's tackle the challenge of choosing the right AI strategies for your organization."

💡 For your customer service training, replace "Module Objectives" with a direct question: "What's the most frustrating customer interaction you've had in the past month?" Now you have attention and context.

2. Create a "story spine"

Each course follows a clear narrative: challenge → framework → application → real example → next steps. In Course 3, this progression builds toward practical implementation rather than just theoretical understanding.

💡For compliance training, structure it as "problem → consequence → solution → personal application" rather than just "rules → policies → procedures."

3. Other tweaks:

• Offer multiple ways to engage (text, visuals, interactive challenges).
• Tackle real-world messiness (not just idealized processes).
• End with an action plan, not just a summary (yes, I know I already mentioned this — but it’s crucial and worth repeating).

🎁 Freebie

How do you simplify without dumbing it down? Make learning feel doable without reducing it to generic soundbites? Feel free to bookmark these tips.

P.S. If you want to grab this AI & Sustainability Learning Path for your own 7taps account, let me know!