How many breaks are really needed in class
How many breaks should we allow student to take?
I teach a five hour class and we take a 10 minute break every 50 minutes. I think you definitely need to take breaks and get up and move around. It not only helps you physically, but taking a break also helps you to concentrate better.
Hi Mary!
You are right - students somehow forget how to stay on time when given a break. I like you approach of alternating training techniques. You keep there interest, therefore,making student more eager to learn.
Good job!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
The time of the class greatly influences the need for breaks. I have taught an 8:00 AM class, that needed to break early because many rushed to class and hadn't eaten breakfast or were barely awake.
When I taught an evening class the students came directly from work without dinner or were stuck in traffic and had no time to unwind and definitely needed and early break.
My late afternoon class agreed to forego a break if I would dismiss the class 15 minutes early since many Moms needed to pick up children from school or day care. The students who didn't have other demands agreed because they were ready to leave at the end of the day.
I agree, my classes are 2.5 hours and we take one 10-15 minute break because there are stragglers and it usually takes 20 minutes to have everyone return and be productive.
Instead of a break each hour, I try to change the method of instruction every 30-45 minutes alternating between lecture,demonstration, small group pair/share,class discussion,or hands on activity.
I teach a 3 hour nursing class as well as a 6 hour nursing class. 10 minutes every 50 minutes and a half hour lunch after 3 hours. If I can not concentrate, why should the students be able to concentrate? The information is difficult and requires deep thinking, so breaks are appropriate.
Going for a walk, streatching,etc helps with learning.
I teach a 4 hour class(usually a science) at night - i.e., 5PM thru 9PM...my students generally work during the day and take care of family. Beaks are essential to maintain clarity of thought/comprehension. I can usually tell when students are drifting...a 10-minute cigarette break brings them back...
I'm more inclined to eliminate hourly breaks. If the class last 3 hours, having one 15 min break @ 90 minutes is reasonable. Having to stop every hour for a 10 minute break that usually last 15 minutes is very time consuming and disruptive to the class flow.
Hi Joshua!
Oh - I totally agree! In a class of that length, you have to have a break. As the saying goes, "when the bottom goes numb,the brain goes dead!"
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
Hi Laura!
I agree that instructors need to have an expectation that students spend enough time in the classroom to learn. But I often take the cue from the class expecially for evening students having come directly from work. You know what I have found that having relaxing music going when students first arrive and take the first 5-10 minutes of the class, gives students time to refocus and relax. Doing this typically helps eliminate a formal break of a normal length class.
Keep up the good work!
Jane Davis
ED106 Facilitator
I teach 4-5 hour long classes, and if I didn't give a break then I feel the students will lose interest due to being tired.
How many breaks should we allow students to take?
Well, I have a student that shows up 30 minutes late for an hour long class and then leaves after 15 minutes to take a break. Do students need a break during an hour long class? Probably not.
Do students need a break during a four hour long night class? Absolutely. I think they need one at least every 45 minutes to an hour that lasts between 5 and 15 minutes long.
