Comments on: GIMME A BREAK!

By: Sheila Johnston

Sheila Johnston — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:10:41 +0000

I am a brand new instructional design student, currently taking a graduate class on “Learning Theories and Instruction.” This week’s course topic focused on how the brain stores and retrieves information and how understanding information processing will benefit me as an instructional designer.

I found your blog “Gimme a Break” very interesting. One of the subtopics we read about this week was “Student Attention in the Classroom” and how important it was that class lessons for young children should be kept short. According to your blog, this seems to also apply to adult learners.

Along with keeping lessons short, we also learned that student attention can be increased when instructors vary their presentation styles, learning materials, classroom activities, and personal interaction with the class.

References:
Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York: Pearson.

By: Kelly C

Kelly C — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:55:37 +0000

I recently went through a federal law enforcement academy and we were allowed a 10 minute break every hour. Personally, those breaks on some days were what got me through the day. I totally agree with the concept of mini breaks. I believe that not only does learner know what is going to happen they mentally know that they are going to have a break from just sitting there trying to absorb all the materials. My instructor about half way through our training finally started implementing work related videos upon returning from breaks which lead to discussions in the classroom. Another benefit of hourly breaks is that it gives the learner the opportunity to reflect on the material covered and then get clarification from the instructor when needed. Due to the nature of my training my instructor had no issues with students not being in their seats on time because we were major consquenses.

By: Annilisa

Annilisa — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:11:39 +0000

Shannon, you had great ideas on how to give the group a 5 minute break but at the same time keep them in the room. I will be sure to use these in the future.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:43:19 +0000

True about keeping it to 5 mins. I found keeping the learners in the room was key. What works for me is to throw in “active breaks” or “mini breaks” that are just pauses in the learning when we are changing topics or modules. A game or brainteaser or a brief ’share something with the class’ unrelated to the learning material. Sometimes a non-structured “Everyone, I need about 3 minutes to toggle over to the next topic. Feel free to chat for a few minutes”.

I then have longer (10-15 minute) “Stretch breaks” once in the am and once or twice in the pm when we encorage learners to get up, use the facilities, get some refreshments, etc.

By: maria Ioannou

maria Ioannou — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:36:44 +0000

I love the frequent break approach…..
the one challenge is to ensure you keep it to a 5 minute break.

By: Business Communication

Business Communication — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:43:15 +0000

Wise advice here. At our company, we usually give 15mins within 4hr sets. After lunch, we seem to need more. Thanks for your insights on this!