On November 25th and 26th, the Institute for Research on Education and Knowledge Transfer (REK Institute), in collaboration with Hanoi Metropolitan University, organized a training workshop titled “Enhancing Scientific Research Competencies for Teacher Education Students.” The event attracted nearly 70 education students from various faculties of pedagogy.

The program was part of the national-level research project “Exploring Microlearning in Vietnamese Higher Education: A Comparative Study of Students with Different Learning Styles,” led by Thanh Do University and funded by the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED).

The workshop aimed to help pre-service teachers approach scientific research thinking, develop independent learning skills, and explore the effectiveness and attitudes of students toward microlearning (a growing trend in higher education worldwide).

Unlike traditional classroom formats, the workshop was designed following the microlearning approach, an instructional method increasingly adopted by universities around the world. Instead of long, theory-heavy sessions, the content was divided into short learning units of 5–10 minutes, each with clear objectives and hands-on exercises immediately following each section.

This approach helps learners absorb knowledge more easily, avoid cognitive overload, and learn anytime, anywhere via computers, smartphones, or short videos. Each lesson serves as a “small building block,” contributing to a solid foundation for developing research competence among education students.

Initially used mainly in corporate training due to its flexibility, microlearning has gained strong traction in universities because of its advantages, enhanced critical thinking, and greater learner engagement, especially among students accustomed to digital and online learning environments.

A Dynamic Two-Day Workshop

Throughout the two-day program, participants were introduced to fundamental steps in the research process, including literature review, academic search tools, and reading and analyzing international research papers. The use of short quizzes, multimedia lessons, interactive Q&A sessions, and small prizes for students with outstanding results made the sessions engaging, approachable, yet academically rigorous.

Dr. Pham Hung Hiep, Director of the Institute for Research on Education and Knowledge Transfer, and Dr. Tran Thi Ha Giang, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Hanoi Metropolitan University, presented certificates and awards to the most outstanding participants

The training workshop at Hanoi Metropolitan University was also part of REK’s ongoing research and educational activities to pilot and assess the effectiveness and student attitudes toward microlearning in the context of Vietnamese higher education.

After the workshop, students expressed a range of opinions about their experience.

Some praised the method, saying it matched modern lifestyles and helped them stay focused. They appreciated being able to rewatch lecture videos multiple times, allowing them to learn at their own pace and improve retention.

Others noted that while microlearning is convenient, it requires strong self-discipline and may reduce motivation due to less direct interaction with teachers and peers. Many suggested that a hybrid approach combining microlearning with traditional learning would maximize effectiveness and enhance independent learning while maintaining academic connection and collaboration.

In-depth interview with students after the workshop 

These diverse reflections indicate that microlearning is a promising educational trend, but to achieve sustainable results, it must be adapted to the specific characteristics of Vietnamese education. Integrating online video-based lessons with interactive face-to-face sessions will empower learners while preserving the sense of community—an essential element in teacher education.

The feedback and outcomes from this program will serve as a foundation for the Institute for Research on Education and Knowledge Transfer to refine its flexible learning model, contributing to the innovation of teaching and learning methods in Vietnam toward a more practical, creative, and digitally integrated education system.

Thanh Do University

Address: Km15, National Highway 32, Hoai Duc, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hotline: (+84) 934 078 668 - (+84) 243 386 1601

Website: https://thanhdo.edu.vn/ 

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