Memes have enhanced high school students' biology grades and their overall attitude towards the subject.

The decreased attention span among young people is prompting educators to adopt new, more engaging teaching methods that can sustain Generation Z's interest in learning. An experiment conducted in the Philippines revealed that the use of specialized memes can have a positive impact on students' academic performance and their attitude toward the subject matter.

2025-01-21 10:01:39https://naked-science.ru/article/psy/memy-uluchshili-otsenki-p

Psychologists note that Zoomers — born between 1995-1997 and 2010-2012 — exhibit a greater tendency for attention dispersion compared to individuals from previous generations. This is often attributed to the youth's immersion in digital technologies and gadgets.

Several studies have reported that the average attention span of Generation Z is approximately eight seconds, compared to 12 seconds for "millennials." However, some criticize this data, originally presented in a report by Microsoft. Regardless, educators acknowledge that today's students are indeed "distracted," making it challenging to maintain their attention.

Scientific literature indicates that visual information is processed more easily and quickly. Researchers have also previously noted the benefits of incorporating internet memes into the educational process. The combination of scientific and technical information with visual references to well-known pop culture phenomena adds a touch of humor to learning. This approach made complex topics more accessible, aiding in better retention and engagement among students.

To verify the effectiveness of this method, specialists from Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines) recently conducted an experiment in one of the private schools in their country.

More than 200 high school students were divided into two groups: one group was taught biology using traditional methods for five weeks, while the other group was taught with the help of memes. "Funny pictures" were utilized to explain topics related to cell division and genetics. Additionally, students from the experimental group created their own memes based on lesson materials.

During the study, researchers monitored understanding and retention of information through surveys and tests, culminating in a final assessment. The high school students in the "meme" group achieved significantly better results: on average, they scored 21.5 out of 30, compared to 17.74 points for those taught traditionally.

Moreover, the first group exhibited a more positive attitude towards biology and demonstrated greater confidence in their ability to understand and apply scientific concepts. Overall, the use of memes helped reduce anxiety related to the subject and made the learning process more enjoyable and memorable.

The authors of the study see memes as "a creative way to connect with Generation Z students, who have grown up in a digital environment and require more engaging and dynamic classroom strategies." According to the researchers, memes enable educators to create a more pleasant and effective learning environment and "energize" young people with a positive attitude towards science.