Short and Sweet: Using Bite-Sized Learning in Your Classroom
We’ve all heard the phrase, “good things come in small packages.” The same is true for your classroom. Have you considered implementing bite-sized learning? If learning more about this topic has been on your to-do list, check out this bite-sized learning primer.
What Is Bite-Sized Learning?
As the name implies, “bite-sized learning” features a short course or lesson that typically takes only about five minutes. However, bite-sized learning is about more than being brief. It focuses on a specific learning objective or key concept.
Bite-sized learning resources often come in eBook format, but that’s not a requirement. Any lesson can be “bite-sized” if it’s quick and aimed at a specific objective. Reading an article or watching a video can achieve the goal of bite-sized learning if the action is brief and focused on a specific outcome.
How Is Bite-Sized Learning Used?
We live in the age of instant gratification. Your students want what they want, now. Take advantage of their impatience and put bite-sized learning to use for you. Almost any subject matter can be delivered in a bite-sized way. Look for reading materials that offer quick lessons, math worksheets that focus on a specific concept or five-minute science experiments. Use bite-sized learning to introduce students to a new concept, reinforce a classroom lesson, or review before a test.
What Are the Benefits in the Classroom?
Studies show that students who are exposed to bite-sized learning have better retention of the material. This could be because the material is more easily consumed, meaning it’s easier for the student to digest. They’re taking just a bite of something but getting a taste of the whole dish.
Bite-sized learning can be especially beneficial to students for whom English is not their first language, or for students who have short attention spans. It offers a quick way to learn without being overwhelming.
What About Microlearning?
As you know, the education industry is full of buzz words and in exploring bite-sized learning, you may have encountered the term “microlearning.” Broadly, both concepts are the same. They deal with presenting information on a topic or with a specific learning objective in a quick lesson.
How Can I Incorporate Bite-Sized Learning in My Classroom?
It’s easy to get started with bite-sized learning and the best part is, once you find good resources, they take only minutes of your precious classroom time to implement. Consider these ideas:
- Look for e-resources. Sites such as TedEd offer students short lessons (typically about 5 minutes long) on topics ranging from the history of corn to the life and death of Rasputin.
- Try podcasts. Just Google “podcasts for students” and you’ll find a wealth of information out there. Check out Tumble to give students a bite-sized learning opportunity in science.
- Think short, even in print. Look for printed resources that offer quick lessons that can be completed in just a few minutes, but also offer opportunities to practice skills.
- Speak their language. You know your students are always on their phones, so put their love of texting to work for you. Check out these fun ideas for incorporating texts into bite-sized learning in your classroom.
- Use the power of pictures. Give your students bite-size learning opportunities by creating infographics. Research shows that 65 percent of students are visual learners and that the average person can recall more information presented visually than information presented orally. Not sure where to start with infographics? Check out a free infographic generator to create resources based on your classroom curriculum.
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