Project Overview
Problem
Most hands-on laboratory classes have an hour long lecture prior to lab exercises. However, it has been reported that current generation of learners have a relatively short attention span. This makes learners difficult to stay focused and retain information on lab protocols and background knowledge.
Solution
Breaking down one hour long lecture into smaller mini-lectures (micro-learning) with either lab exercise of short breaks in between helped learners to stay focused and retain the information better.
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Process
- Designed and distributed pre and post survey to all learners.
- Quantitative analysis revealed 84% of the students loose focus in less than 30 minute period, thus made data-driven decision on the length of mini-lectures to be between 15-20 minutes.
- Performed A/B Testing between hour long lecture versus 15-20 minute mini-lectures.
- Performed contextual observation and benchmarking over the course of 3-months period in every laboratory session.
- Quantitative analysis was done on usability testing of the mini-lectures.
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Learner Quotes
- “Mini-lectures allowed me to retain the information important about procedures we were about to do, then perform them. IN long lectures, I would have to retain all information and wait an hour or so to finally apply that knowledge. I prefer mini-lectures because it allowed me to apply my learning almost immediately rather than having a delay.”
- “Mini-lectures could take longer, but you are allowed to apply your knowledge quicker and retain that information. Long lectures could take a long time and by the time I got to the procedure and what we were working on, I may have forgotten the step or even why that step was important. Mini-lectures made the lab easier to perform and understand.”
- “I suggest that the mini lectures become a permanent addition”
- “Having the mini-lecture directly correlate to the task I was going to perform next helped me understand the procedure better and not forget important points.”
- “I found myself enjoying the lab more with the mini-lectures. I liked them and I got very engaged with them. I would certainly prefer these, and didn't have any crazy feedback.”
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Key Insights and Impact
- 73% of the learners reported mini-lectures helped them stay focused which resulted in better note taking, increased retention, and better engagement in lab exercises.
- 67% of the learners preferred mini-lectures over hour long lectures despite the fact that mini-lectures sometime delayed the class period.
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