Designing for Learners Who Have Difficulty Focusing
Attention & Focus
Build focs-friendly lessons in minutes with Mexty AI.
This guide shows how to reduce distraction, increase engagement, and keep momentum using prompts and ready-made blocks.
Quick Wins (Start Here)
- Chunk content into 3–5 minute blocks with one clear outcome.
- Add a micro-interaction every 1–2 minutes (tap, drag, 1-question check).
- Turn long reads into visual cards or short video + transcript.
- Enable Focus Mode (clean UI, minimal motion) on dense screens.
- Replace high-stakes tests with low-pressure, retry-friendly quizzes.
Kickoff prompt
“Make this lesson focus-friendly: split into 3–5 minute blocks, add a quick interaction in each, convert long text to visual cards, enable Focus Mode, and turn the final test into a low-pressure quiz with retries.”
Core Strategies & How to Prompt
Design moves that sustain focus
1) Microlearning & Clear Goals
- Keep units short with an explicit “Why it matters.”
- One concept per block.
Prompt: Split this module into 5 blocks (≤4 mins each) with a one-sentence goal at the top.
2) Frequent, Low-Pressure Interactions
- Maintain attention with tiny actions: tap-to-reveal, 1-item quiz, slider, match.
- No penalties for first attempts.
Prompt: Insert a 1-question checkpoint or tap-to-reveal moment every 90 seconds; give gentle feedback, no penalties.
3) Visual Structure Over Dense Text
- Convert paragraphs to cards, bullets, or diagram + caption.
- Use whitespace and consistent icon cues.
Prompt: Turn long paragraphs into 3–5 visual cards with icons and concise captions.
4) Reduce Cognitive Load (CLT)
- Limit elements per screen; avoid competing media.
- Provide preview → learn → recap flow.
Prompt: Apply a light layout: one media type per screen; add a 2-line preview and 3-point recap per block.
5) Adaptive Pacing & Breaks
- Offer “Pause & resume,” variable speed, and optional breaks.
Prompt: Add a ‘Take a 30-second break’ card after each block and enable playback speed controls.
6) Choice & Autonomy
- Let learners pick sequence or difficulty to increase control.
Prompt: Create a ‘Choose your path’ menu: Beginner / Practice / Challenge with progress saved.
7) Gamified Momentum
- Replace timers and penalties with progress bars, micro-rewards, and streaks.
Prompt: Gamify this lesson: add a progress bar, micro-badges per block, and streak rewards for completion.
8) Calm, Accessible Interface
- High contrast, stable layout, restrained animation; captions by default.
Prompt: Enable Focus Mode: calm palette, reduced motion, clear headings, captions on, and keyboard navigation.
Recommended Mexty Blocks
- Quick Check (1-item) — instant, kind feedback
- Tap-to-Reveal / Flip Cards — reveals in steps
- Progress Bar & Milestones — visible momentum
- Focus Mode Layout — minimal UI, large targets
- Choose-Your-Path Menu — autonomy, control
- Break Card — short pause with breathing tip
- Low-Pressure Quiz — retries + hints
Prompt: “Insert a Quick Check and Progress Bar in every block; add a Break Card after block 2 and a Low-Pressure Quiz at the end.”
Accessibility Notes (Built-in with Prompts)
- Captions/transcripts for all audio/video.
- Keyboard navigation and large tap targets.
- WCAG 2.1/EN 301 549 color contrast & focus order.
- Option to reduce motion and disable autoplay.
Prompt: “Audit this lesson for focus accessibility: keyboard-only use, large targets, captions on, reduced motion.”
Measure What Matters
- Time-on-task per block
- Interaction rate (checkpoints completed)
- Retry patterns (hints used vs. success)
- Drop-off points (which block loses attention)
- Focus Mode usage
Prompt: “Create a focus analytics view showing time-on-task, drop-off blocks, and retries with hints.”
Brand Notes — Using Mexty Colors
- Blue #2D7BFF (primary actions)
- Purple #6A4CFF (headings)
- Pink #FF4FB3 (highlights/badges)
- Orange #FF8A2D (CTAs/progress)
- Off-white #F7F9FC background
Prompt: “Apply Mexty brand colors with a calm, focus-friendly palette and large accessible buttons.”
One-Click Template
“Make a focus-friendly version of this module: break into 3–5 minute blocks with a one-sentence goal each; add a 1-item checkpoint every ~90 seconds; convert long text to card layouts; enable Focus Mode (reduced motion, high contrast, keyboard navigation); include a progress bar and micro-badges; insert a 30-second Break Card after two blocks; finish with a low-pressure, retry-friendly quiz. Ensure WCAG 2.1/EN 301 549 accessibility and use Mexty brand colors.”
