Chunks Blog
Discover fascinating stories about history, philosophy, science, and more.
Microlearning vs Traditional Learning: What the Research Says
Microlearning delivers comparable or better knowledge retention than traditional learning for factual and conceptual content, while requiring significantly less time per session. Research consistently shows that breaking information into small, spaced-out segments aligns more closely with how human memory actually works. But traditional learning still holds clear advantages for complex skill-building, deep expertise, and hands-on domains -- making this less of a competition and more of a questio
The Science of Spaced Repetition: Why Short Sessions Beat Cramming
Spaced repetition is one of the most rigorously validated techniques in cognitive psychology, and the core finding is straightforward: distributing your study across multiple short sessions produces dramatically better long-term retention than massing the same total time into a single block. Decades of research, from Hermann Ebbinghaus's pioneering laboratory work in 1885 to large-scale meta-analyses in the 2020s, converge on the same conclusion. If you want to remember what you learn, the sched
Best Microlearning Apps 2026: Complete Comparison
Disclosure: I am the founder of Chunks, which is included in this comparison. I have attempted to evaluate all apps fairly, but readers should be aware of this relationship. The best microlearning apps in 2026 are Duolingo (for languages), Brilliant (for STEM problem-solving), and Chunks (for humanities and general knowledge). Which one suits you depends on what you want to learn, how much time you have, and whether you prefer structured courses or casual browsing. This guide compares the top n
What is Microlearning?
Microlearning is an instructional approach that delivers content in short, focused segments — typically between two and ten minutes — each targeting a single learning objective. Rather than covering broad topics in lengthy sessions, microlearning breaks knowledge into discrete units designed to be absorbed quickly and retained over time. The term has become widespread in corporate training, higher education, and consumer learning apps, but it describes something more specific than simply "short
Doomscrolling Is Replacing Learning — But Microlearning Might Be the Fix
Why five-minute learning sessions may be a realistic alternative to endless scrolling Smartphones have made knowledge more accessible than at any point in human history. With a few taps, anyone can access books, courses, lectures, and tutorials on almost any subject. Yet paradoxically, many people feel they are learning less than ever. Instead of exploring new ideas or skills, a large portion of time spent on phones is devoted to scrolling through short bursts of algorithmically selected cont
Introducing Character Cards!
Alongside the growing collection of stories and story packs, I've added a feature I'm really excited about: Character Cards. What are Character Cards? Character Cards are designed for those moments when a story sparks your curiosity and you want to know more about the person behind it. Each card steps outside the main story and gives you a thoughtfully written overview of a historical figure — who they were, why they matter, and what makes them fascinating beyond the specific event you just r
Today in History & Dark Mode!
With the release of Chunks v2025.12.8, I'm introducing two features that have been at the top of my list: Today in History and dark mode. Today in History The Today in History feature highlights notable events that happened on today's date throughout history, along with biographies of people who were born or died on this day. It's a simple concept, but it's become one of my favourite parts of the app. Every morning you get a fresh set of historical moments to explore — some you'll recognise,
Why Microlearning Works (and Why I Built Chunks Around It)
As I mentioned in the previous blog post, when I started working on Chunks, the whole idea was simple: I wanted a way to learn something meaningful in the tiny spaces of my day. The same spaces I usually filled with doomscrolling. Five minutes waiting for my coffee to brew, or the ten minutes I spend on the tram. Those moments add up. That's where microlearning comes in. It turns small pockets of time into learning opportunities. Initially, I made it for myself as a tool to use, not really thi
What is Chunks Microlearning?
Chunks Microlearning is a mobile app that breaks complex topics into bite-sized chapters you can finish in minutes. Think of it as a library of short, well-researched stories covering history, philosophy, science, literature, art, music, nature, health, and more. I (Andy) created Chunks because I had a problem: I was spending too much time doomscrolling. Most evenings I'd open Instagram or TikTok for "a few minutes" and somehow lose an hour — without really enjoying it or learning anything. I w
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