The Learning Continuum
I have a night class populated with mostly adult learners at a local community college. Since it is a once-a-week class, its length (4 hours) is daunting. The students come to class on overload and extremely tired as many of them work a full day. We were told in the previous section about "changing a learning focus every 50 minutes." I follow that rule of thumb, but I also include a 10-minute break that comes with the change. That schedule is followed "religiously" if I could use that word. The students are surprisingly fresh at the end of class. I noticed nothing was mentioned about breaks with adult learners. Does anyone else do the same thing?
Carl,
This is a very good multiple step process that gives the students the content needed and then enables them to internalize it through discussion and finish up with application. This is a proven model that reinforces content retention and student skill development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think the lecture time, followed by practical application, and then going over the lecture material briefly and asking if everyone understands the goal? On several occasions we've went deeper in depth in the material because the students felt they needed more information (wanting to see the end point) of what the goal was. I think seeing the problem with an understanding of what the goal is we want to achieve is very important, the students have something to strive for, and they can tell you what they lack to understand how to get there.
Jennifer,
This is a good format to follow as it offers change of pace and variety that learners need to have to stay engaged.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I lecture for 15 minutes at a time, then have a 10+ minute activity where they apply the concepts in group or individual work. Keeps them from getting bored and makes the course content relevant for them. I ALWAYS take the 10 minute breaks, as well. Helps them focus better when we come back.
Regina,
Good balance between activities and class flow. I teach from 4 until 10 pm so I know what you are facing with evening classes. We have to offer variety and activities or we are going to have students drifting away every time the class meets.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Yes I teach night classes at a culinary school in LA and we do 50 minutes with 10 min breaks, even if students tell me they don't want the break. I know that what I'll be covering during the next 50 minutes needs their attention and energy so I think it's important to have that break. Actually, I try to change the learning focus after about 25 minutes anyway so they've already gone through two different parts of the learning such as a lecture, followed by in-class activity or discussion. I think it works best!
Patrick,
You are doing the right thing with the breaks. The reason they weren't mentioned in the course content is that breaks are often prescribed by the school and vary as a result. Instructors need to read their students and make adjustments in the learning process as needed. I teach from 4 until 10 pm so I know the challenges of which you speak. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
