Facts of human attention span

Goldfish’s attention span is better than humans’. That’s the result of research from Microsoft on 2000 respondents in Canada using electroencephalograms (EEG scans) to study the brain activity of 112 participants. In 2000, Microsoft researchers found the average human attention span was 12 seconds. However, this range changed to 8 seconds in 2013. It lost 1 second to the goldfish, which has an attention span of 9 seconds.

Digital lifestyle influences the decline in humans’ attention spans. Scrolling through social media, e-commerce, and other internet applications causes difficulty for someone to maintain real-world activities such as reading, studying, or working. But we cannot avoid this life full of technology. Technology has disrupted many sectors such as education, health, business, communications, and the economy.

Education integrates technology for various purposes. Technology is a tool and a place for teaching and learning through e-Learning. However, learners access eLearning with their gadgets. It does not always make learning optimal. Learners usually get distracted by notifications from social media, online games, and other applications that are out of the learning context.

Distraction, when students access eLearning, is a challenge to present material effectively and interestingly. We can convey material in a short but easy-to-understand way. Thus, learning can accommodate the short attention span of the learners. This idea is in line with the microlearning strategy.

What is microlearning?

Microlearning is a fast learning strategy that strictly refers to specific learning indicators. In microlearning, the material is usually made very short and directly addresses the points to learn. The goal is to make the content easy to digest and remember.

To create microlearning media, a complex discussion chapter can be divided into several more specific sub-discussions. For example, to discuss the digital marketing chapter can be divided into several media. Each discusses the definition, types, strategies, and so on. Examples of microlearning media are short 1-3 minute videos, infographics, short article texts, quotes, real pictures or illustrations, audio, and learning games.

Benefits of Microlearning

Faster learning

Short microlearning media enable users to understand the material more quickly. Thus, we can achieve learning objectives more quickly. If used in training, microlearning can help save time and costs.

Better learning retention

German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus found that the average learner forgets 50% of what they learn in class in one day and about 90% in a month. According to Ebbinghaus, information can last longer if learning facilitates repetition activities to create stronger memories. Short microlearning media will facilitate repetition activities. Hence, learners can retain information or knowledge longer in their memory.

Increase Engagement

A survey found that 58% of LMS users would be more motivated to access learning if teachers make the material explanation into several chunks. It is under the concept of microlearning. It is also in harmony with the way our brains absorb information. Magellan Health, a healthcare company, proved that their employee participation increased by 80% in attending training after using microlearning.

Tips for Choosing a Platform for Microlearning

Microlearning is an effective strategy to complement eLearning designs. Even so, be wise in selecting platforms for distributing microlearning media, for example, Learning Management System (LMS). Choose an LMS that is compatible not only with text formats but also with other formats such as video, animation, SCORM, etc. For example, Katalis.App.

Katalis.App is an Open edX-based LMS provider. It is compatible with various microlearning media in one application. Katalis.App allows you to have an LMS without many-front investments and technical complexities. Contact us here for further discussion.