Learning Formats: Insights from an Educational Psychologist

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, the way we deliver information to students has become as crucial as the content itself. Educators continually strive to provide students with the tools they need to succeed, but the challenge lies in ensuring these tools are accessible, engaging, and effective.

Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss this topic in-depth with Educational Psychologist, Dr. Geeta Dhir. Much of our conversation focused on the importance of different media types when providing resources to students, and how evolving media consumption habits—driven by platforms like TikTok—are influencing student engagement and learning.

The Changing Landscape of Student Engagement

In the past, educational resources were predominantly text-based. Written guides, textbooks, and instructional manuals were the primary tools for conveying information. However, as digital media has become more prevalent, the way students engage with content has shifted dramatically.

To Dr Dhir, this is due to a notable trend in the perception that there is a decline in students' attention spans. Numerous studies have documented the impact of digital media on attention span, with many pointing to the rise of social media platforms which promote short, snappy content.

These platforms have accustomed users to consume information in bite-sized chunks, often within a matter of seconds. As a result, research has indicated that students are increasingly bypassing traditional written guides, deeming them too time-consuming or difficult to engage with.

This shift presents a challenge for educators and EdTech developers alike. If students are less inclined to engage with written content, how can we ensure they still receive the information they need? The answer lies in adapting resources to align with new media consumption needs.

The Role of Audio and Video in Modern Education

Audio and video content offer several advantages over text, particularly accessibility and engagement. For one, audio content allows students to learn on the go. Whether they're commuting, exercising or just away from their usual study location, students can absorb information wherever they are and without the need to be stationary or fully focused on a screen. This flexibility can increase engagement and retention, as students can consume content in a way that fits their lifestyle. For instance, if a student wants a final confidence boost before a presentation, they could listen through the transcript just before they walk into the classroom.

Video content, on the other hand, offers a visual and auditory learning experience that can be more engaging than text alone. Videos can demonstrate concepts, show processes in real-time, and bring subjects to life in a way that static text cannot. For students who struggle with reading or have learning difficulties, video content can be particularly beneficial, providing a more accessible and inclusive learning experience.

Addressing the Attention Span Challenge

One of the key insights from my conversation with Dr Ghir was the need to address the shortened attention spans of students. As shown by research carried out by King’s College London, we all considerably underestimate the amount we check our phones - the mean guess identified in this research is 25 times a day, but according to previous research, the reality is more likely to be between 49 and 80 times a day.

Incorporating audio and video resources is one way to meet students where they are. These deliver information in shorter, more digestible segments, which aligns with how students are accustomed to consuming content.

Moreover, these formats can complement written content rather than replace it entirely. This multimodal approach ensures that all students, regardless of their preferred ways of learning, benefit. For some, using multiple formats simultaneously may enhance their learning experience; with audio and written information available, students can absorb information through both written and auditory channels, potentially helping to process and retain the information or, for some, to maintain focus for longer.

The Importance of Accessibility

Another critical aspect of our discussion was the importance of accessibility in education. In addition to catering to different learning styles, providing resources in various media formats can make education more accessible to students with disabilities. Students with visual impairments will struggle with text-only resources. Similarly, students with hearing impairments will need written or visual content over audio.

By offering resources in multiple formats, we can ensure students have better access to the information they need. Making these resources accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or preferences, is a fundamental aspect of inclusive education.

The Future of Educational Resources

As we look to the future, it's clear that the way we deliver educational resources will continue evolving. While social media platforms may have already changed how students engage with new information, other emerging technologies can play an important role.

Software to convert text to speech is now commonplace, with ever improving human sounding voices, celebrity voice clones or even options to clone your own voice.

Text-to-video is a more emergent technology powered by the advancements in AI models. This gives the potential for text-based information to be converted into video for students at speed and at significantly lower cost.

However, it's not just about adding new formats—it's about understanding how students engage with content and designing resources that align with their habits and preferences. As Dr Ghir emphasised during our conversation, the key to successful education in the digital age is the flexibility to personalise approaches.

By offering information in multiple formats, we can ensure that all students, regardless of their learning style or their pattern of attention, have the opportunity to succeed. And that’s what educators should want: to provide students with the tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive in an increasingly complex world.

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Booost 2.0 has landed with a huge upgrade to the learner resources section.

After consulting with experts, including Dr Ghir, we have added over 40 new articles, created audio and video options, improved the accessibility options and built an entirely new platform to help find the information needed as quickly and easily as possible.

For exclusive examples of the content, please go to learnerresources.com