The ‘TikTok-ification’ of education

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Early research suggests excessive screen time can contribute to a lower attention span. In the aftermath of COVID-19, educators say it’s even lower.

A study from Microsoft found the average attention span has dropped to around eight seconds. That’s shorter than a goldfish’s by a second.

The change became noticeable after students returned to the classroom following the pandemic.

“A lot of students will blank out after a few seconds, a minute, of running because they’ve gotten to a point where they’re bored,” ILTexas Athletic Coordinator Patrick Horne said.

Dr. Mary Ann Covey is a psychologist specializing in adolescents. She said it’s an issue affecting all ages, not just younger kids.

“Especially middle school and under, but certainly I can see it in high school and even college that they have a lower attention span,” she said.

However, educators like Horne have found ways to accommodate shorter attention spans. Some strategies they employ include taking ‘brain breaks’ after periods of intense focus and including more transitions in lessons.

“During the lesson, we’ll have them moving around. We’ll take some brain breaks and things like that. That helps them sort of get back to refocusing again,” Horne added.

He said that he’s adapted to this new method of teaching, and wants to see technology become a tool in the classroom, instead of a distraction.

“I wish that there was TikTok for math. I wish there was TikTok for reading,” he said.

Dr. Covey said apps like TikTok are designed to get you hooked, but it’s not just because of their algorithms.

Compared to previous generations, she said that kids are consuming more content – and more overstimulating content – than ever before.

”When I grew up, you had three TV channels. The news was on twice a day for 30 minutes. That’s it. This generation is getting bombarded with images,” she said.

This is contributing to higher levels of stress and anxiety, according to her.