Time is often described as life’s most precious and limited commodity. This is certainly true within a classroom where teachers are expected to help students master certain content and skills by a specific date. To be able to reach this desired outcome, teachers must be intentional of making the most out of each minute within a class period. However, research shows that much time is being wasted in the typical classroom. As Goodwin and Hubbell (2013) reflect on a recent study, they state, “… on average, students may spend only about 61 percent of class time actually learning” (p.131). This means that approximately 40 percent of class time is being unaccounted for. To counter this trend, teachers must take action to begin utilizing time more wisely. They must eliminate things that waste time and continually think of ways to help maximize the use of time with their students.
While there are many things that teacher can do to make better use of time; establishing classroom procedures, creating lesson plans that include an element of time, and having teachers rotate classes while students stay in the same classroom are three effective strategies (Alford, n.d.). By establishing classroom procedures for homework collection, transitions between learning activities, getting into small groups, etc., teachers can save much time. Once the students get used to these procedures, teachers are sure to be amazed by how much time is saved over a school year. In addition, teachers can save time by creating lesson plans with time in mind. By allotting a certain amount of time to each learning activity, teachers will be more conscious of making the best use of time. Last but not least, having teachers instead of students change classrooms throughout the day can help save a lot of time. Since teachers tend to be more focused and take less time to transition between classrooms than students, this is yet another great step towards making the most of the time teachers are given. Although it is ultimately impossible for teachers not to use any time for nonacademic purposes, teachers should be able to look at themselves in the mirror every morning and say, “Today I’m going to make the most of every minute I have with my students to support their learning” (Goodwin & Hubbell, 2013, p.139). These strategies listed above provide teachers with a start in the right direction.
While there are many things that teacher can do to make better use of time; establishing classroom procedures, creating lesson plans that include an element of time, and having teachers rotate classes while students stay in the same classroom are three effective strategies (Alford, n.d.). By establishing classroom procedures for homework collection, transitions between learning activities, getting into small groups, etc., teachers can save much time. Once the students get used to these procedures, teachers are sure to be amazed by how much time is saved over a school year. In addition, teachers can save time by creating lesson plans with time in mind. By allotting a certain amount of time to each learning activity, teachers will be more conscious of making the best use of time. Last but not least, having teachers instead of students change classrooms throughout the day can help save a lot of time. Since teachers tend to be more focused and take less time to transition between classrooms than students, this is yet another great step towards making the most of the time teachers are given. Although it is ultimately impossible for teachers not to use any time for nonacademic purposes, teachers should be able to look at themselves in the mirror every morning and say, “Today I’m going to make the most of every minute I have with my students to support their learning” (Goodwin & Hubbell, 2013, p.139). These strategies listed above provide teachers with a start in the right direction.