It’s no secret that kids today are glued to screens. Between social media, notifications, and streaming videos, holding a student’s attention in class can feel impossible. That’s why some teachers are turning to microlearning to help students get the information they need and keep them engaged in this digital age.
“The future of learning is going to look different and we educators should be adapting to meet the changes that brains have undergone,” says Dr. Jessica Werner, founder and CEO of Northshore Learning in an interview with Parents.com.
“With technology, our brains have been changing and adapting and teaching practices that involve hours of sitting, taking notes, and reciting content are not working well in schools. There is an increase in student behavior that teachers are contending with and I have seen in my experiences working in schools that often this can be attributed to brains seeking novelty and interaction. In short, our brains aren’t used to being bored anymore.”
Microlearning can take all kinds of forms: a quick five-minute video, a tiny quiz, a short animation, even a mini podcast episode. Students can watch, listen, or interact on phones, tablets, or computers, all in bite-sized chunks that don’t overwhelm. A history lesson might condense World War II into a short video and quiz, while a science class could cover the water cycle with an animation and diagram exercise.
Educators say the benefits go beyond just attention. Yolanda Carlos, early childhood education professor at Pacific Oaks College, explains to Parents, “This approach helped spark curiosity, encouraged independent thinking, and smoothly transitioned students into cooperative learning. It also gave me the chance to check for understanding early in the lesson.”
Amanda Ohannessian, a special education teacher, adds that microlearning is especially helpful in Title I schools. “When students can say, ‘I can do this,’ it changes how they approach learning. Engagement goes up, lessons feel more doable, and kids get repeated chances to succeed. Beyond academics, microlearning also strengthens social-emotional skills, helping students grow into resilient, well-rounded learners.”
Frannie Ochoa, an 8th-grade math teacher in Chicago, tells the outlet that, “I teach them exactly what they need to know in 10 minutes or less. Then I assess them on the spot. Students that understand move on to a prerecorded video quiz that fills in the gaps of the lesson. The students that don’t understand move to a small group intense study with me.”
Still, experts caution that microlearning isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
Lucy Kirkham, former teacher and Head of Content Creation at Save My Exams, warns, “There are concerns [with] microlearning, particularly within education settings involving teenagers, where the approach can lead to a lack of knowledge and deeper understanding of a topic.”
She continues stating that, “In younger children, microlearning can also impact the ability and chance for them to use their imagination and creativity. The ability to analyze and critically think is ultimately a key part of how we assess children, and is an integral life skill for the majority of jobs and careers.”
Yet, experts agree that microlearning works best when it’s balanced with other teaching methods, giving students short bursts of information while still providing room for discussion, critical thinking, and deeper exploration.