Time management in the classroom

Time management in the classroom

1. Basic principles of classroom time management

   • Define your objectives for each class and try to remain focused on them.
     • Become comfortable early on with compromise.
     • Recognize when you should step aside and let the students take over
       • be responsive to the classroom dynamic.
     • Be flexible.

2. Assessing time demands

   • Review the assigned material
     • To identify potential problem areas and plan your lesson accordingly.
   • Take into account other time demands.
     • The need to review assignment requirements.
   • Allow for time for questions on difficult topics/concepts.
   • Estimate the time each task will take, and be prepared to find out that your estimate is low.
   • Be aware of course objectives, not just class objectives.
     • It also lets you see where there are ‘lighter’ weeks in the syllabus.

3. Writing the lesson plan

   • Try to experiment with allowing time for individual writing
   • Prioritize your established tasks.
     • To ensure that you cover the most important concepts/subjects.
   • Consider making use of time - controlled activities
   • Be aware of hidden time demands

4. Tips

   • Make students aware of your learning objectives for the day.
   • Always keep an eye on the passage of time during class.
   • Assess the success of the lesson plan after each class and adapt for the next week.