An effective teacher sets up policies and guidelines that cut down on unnecessary free time and increase learning time in the classroom. For example, over an average 180-day school year, a teacher who loses just five minutes of learning time per day due to inefficiencies squanders fifteen hours of opportunity! Of course, every kid would certainly benefit greatly from the additional student learning time.
Still, a student struggling to keep up with the class would greatly benefit from this added time. Teachers can use the following ideas to increase students learning time while decreasing downtime.
Planning
Maximizing the amount of time students can learn requires careful planning and preparation. Unfortunately, too many teachers fail to adequately prepare, leaving them with nothing to do in the final few minutes of class. Over-planning is a good habit for effective teachers to develop since it is always more desirable than under planning. Additionally, teachers should always have their materials organized and prepared before the arrival of their students.
Practice is a crucial and frequently ignored aspect of preparation and planning. Many teachers do not practice as they think they can deliver their lectures smoothly. However, by practicing, a class teacher can smoothly conduct the planned activities to iron out any bugs in advance. This will guarantee that the least amount of learning time is wasted.
Efficiency in methods
Activities in the classroom are a crucial component of the learning environment. The learning time for students is maximized by teachers who run their classrooms like a well-planned algorithm. Every component of the classroom should have effective processes developed by the teacher. This may include tasks like sharpening pencils, submitting assignments, and forming groups, or important tasks like distributing homework notebooks and discussing an assessment.
Distractions
When school is in session, distractions are everywhere. For example, an announcement is made over the loudspeaker, a surprise visitor knocks on the classroom door, and a student argument occurs in the middle of class. While it is impossible to eliminate all distractions, some are easier to manage than others. Keeping a journal for two weeks will allow an effective teacher to assess distractions. After this time, teachers will better identify which distractions can be reduced and create a strategy.
Fast track transitions
Every time you go from one element of a class or activity to another, a transition occurs. When done incorrectly, transitions can significantly slow down a lecture. However, they are routine processes that are swift and seamless when carried out correctly. An effective teacher has a great opportunity to reclaim some of that important time during transitions.
The class or period change is another example of a transition. Good teacher strategies advocate for students to be instructed in this situation to bring the right materials to class, use the restroom or get a drink, and then be seated and prepared to learn when the next class hour begins.
Minimize free time
At some point during the school day, the majority of teachers allow free or zero-hour time to students. This is generally done so that the class teacher can plan for the next lecture or assignment, or sometimes when the teacher herself needs a break. However, we are aware that by giving it, we are wasting the valuable time we have with our learners. Although our students adore this free time, it is not recommended according to effective teaching strategies.
Our goal as educators is to maximize the learning time and this free time directly contradicts our goal. Therefore, unless it is an emergency, try to minimize the zero-hour time to maximize students’ learning.
Clear cut directions
Giving pupils precise and unambiguous instructions is a crucial part of teaching. Poor or unclear instructions can stall a lecture and quickly create absolute chaos in the classroom. This disturbs the learning process and robs teachers of crucial teaching time. Good instructional strategies can be applied in a variety of formats.
For example, before letting everyone lose to begin the exercise, a class teacher may pick a few students to describe the instructions. Some teachers like getting the instructions written on the class whiteboard so everyone can see and follow them.
Backup plan
No amount of planning can account for surprises. Anything can go wrong in a lesson. This makes having a backup plan critical. As teachers, we have to tweak our lesson plans now and then. Sometimes, some unwarranted situations may arise where more than a simple adjustment is needed.
Teacher strategies of having a backup plan ready can ensure that learning time for that class period will not be lost. In a perfect scenario, everything will always work as planned, but sadly, the classroom setting is repeatedly far from perfect. An effective teacher should have backup plans to fall back on at such times.
Class management
Due to their ineffective classroom management techniques, many teachers waste crucial teaching time. The class teacher may not be able to take charge of the environment in the classroom and build a rapport with the kids based on mutual respect and trust. These teachers frequently spend more time correcting students than educating them and always have to discipline students.
The most significant obstacles to increasing learning time arise due to disciplinary issues. Effective classroom management is a talent that an effective teacher must develop and maintain to ensure that learning is valued, the instructor is respected, and rules and expectations are established and followed from day one.
If you are an online class teacher, you can maximize your students’ learning time with the help of Classplus. With many jobs like marking attendance and giving feedback automated with the help of a custom-built app, you can focus on your instructional strategies throughout your class time.
You can automate almost every aspect of your class management including handling payments and student fees on your teaching app created by Classplus. In addition, you can conduct classes, upload learning materials, and prepare your lesson plans. As an innovator in ed-tech, the Classplus team can help you and your students reach the zenith of success.
