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by bcaine 4251 days ago
The problem is that it's near impossible for a student to pay attention during longer classes. I think you're trying to measure accomplishing things by the amount of material you work through during a given class, instead of by the amount of information the student actually absorbs during that time.

That seemed to be one of the main points in the article, just getting through material was a terrible way to look at classroom learning.
2 comments
intopieces 4251 days ago
>The problem is that it's near impossible for a student to pay attention during longer classes.

Impossible seems a bit harsh. The situation could certainly be improved, and it might certainly be improved if the instructor has more time to engage in students as individuals, which can't be done much in a short period system (this was my main complaint with HS and why I never took a huge lecture course). I do agree that the current method of engagement, overall, is not ideal.

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wmt 4251 days ago
The problem is not the engagement as much as trying to sit and pay attention for 90 minutes. You will way better results by having a 5-15 minute break every 45 minutes.
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bzbarsky 4250 days ago
It really depends on the class.

Lectures of any sort longer than an hour are pretty painful. Science lab classes shorter than an hour are likewise pretty painful. Designing a schedule that can accommodate both is not easy and people typically don't even try (though they should!).

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