Page 8: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2025)

Training Tips for Ships

Tip #65

TikTok Attention Spans, Lifelong Lessons:

Training in the Age of Distraction

By Heather Combs, CEO, Ripple Operations he modern mariner has changed. Today’s crew mem- bers may be just as ? uent in maritime procedures as they are in memes, video shorts, and social media

Tscrolling. And while that brings tech-savviness and adaptability, it also introduces a very real challenge: shrinking attention spans. In a world of endless distractions and bite- © chathuporn/AdobeStock sized content, how do you deliver training that actually sticks? • Daily radio-call pop quizzes

The answer isn’t to ? ght it, but to embrace it. Modern training • QR codes posted near safety gear that link to is increasingly more art than science, requiring creativity, em- 1-minute refreshers pathy, and adaptability to truly connect with today’s learners.

Repetition, especially when done creatively, helps short les- sons become long-term habits.

Reframing the Problem: It’s Not Laziness, It’s Design

Let’s be clear; short attention spans aren’t character ? aws. Train the Way They Scroll

They’re the result of a content environment optimized for

If mariners are already used to short-form video and intui- speed, novelty, and constant stimulation. Mariners raised on tive apps, lean into that medium.

TikTok, YouTube, and rapid-? re noti? cations are simply ac- • Replace bulky manuals with searchable, customed to fast-paced, engaging, and intuitive content. mobile-accessible knowledge bases

Traditional training modules, like long lectures, dense • Use memes or humor-based videos to drive home a

PDFs, day-long seminars, or even rigid, click-through LMS serious point content, may have worked in the past, but they struggle to • Incorporate swipe-friendly interfaces for self-check quizzes compete with the instant feedback and dopamine hits of a

Training should look and feel like the apps they already smartphone. When training feels like a chore rather than an trust, without sacri? cing accuracy or depth. experience, attention drifts and retention drops.

To be effective, maritime training must adapt its delivery Create Attention, Don’t Just Demand It to match how today’s mariners naturally absorb information.

In a distracted world, attention is earned. Your training must be more than mandatory. It should feel immediately useful,

Microlearning: The Right Format for the Moment visually appealing, and emotionally engaging.

Microlearning breaks down information into small, focused

That means: chunks that are easier to digest, retain, and revisit. Think: • Telling stories instead of just citing rules • 2-minute videos explaining ? re extinguisher types • Using real-life case studies and near-miss breakdowns • Flashcards covering emergency signals • Creating visual or interactive elements instead of • One-slide visual checklists shared during a toolbox talk long blocks of text • Daily “Did You Know?” push noti? cations on a crew app

When the content respects their time and intelligence, mari-

Short lessons delivered repeatedly and in context can be far ners are more likely to engage with it. more impactful than long sessions mariners tune out. These micro- bursts allow learners to retain key details, without mental fatigue.

Closing the Gap

The next generation of mariners doesn’t need less training.

The Power of Repetition and Timing

Rather, they need smarter training. One that’s built for their atten-

It’s not just what you teach, but when and how often you tion patterns, digital habits, and learning preferences. When de- reinforce it. signed with intention, even a 90-second lesson can lead to safer

Modern learning science shows that spaced repetition (re- behaviors, sharper awareness, and stronger performance at sea. visiting the same content over time) signi? cantly boosts long-

Attention spans may be shrinking, but your training’s im- term memory. Use this principle at sea with: pact doesn’t have to. • Weekly “safety moment” discussions

Until next time, sail safely—and keep it short. 8 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • August 2025

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