So how can you get it right?<\/p>\n\n\n
Here are five common timing problems and our easy solutions for you to use.<\/p>\n\n\n
Problem 1: Running out of activities<\/h2>\n\n\n
In the classroom, you plan the perfect amount of tasks to fill the lesson. Now you\u2019re online, you\u2019ve finished everything in half the time. Where are you going wrong?<\/p>\n\n\n
Are you rushing through new concepts? It\u2019s easy to look around a classroom and measure the confused faces. Because you have less student interaction online, it can be difficult to see when to slow down and repeat.<\/p>\n\n\n
Or are you not planning enough? Online games and activities rarely hold their interest for as long as you\u2019d thought.<\/p>\n\n\n
Solutions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Or perhaps you don\u2019t have a problem at all. No one\u2019s waiting for you to deal with low-level disruption or distracted by their neighbour. You\u2019re teaching right in front of them with engaging activities and games. This might be why you feel you\u2019re racing through the usual content.<\/p>\n\n\n Virtual lessons don\u2019t have to be the same length as classroom teaching. Try adjusting a typical hour\u2019s lesson down to 30 minutes and provide an over-learning task for them to complete before the next lesson.<\/p>\n\n\n You planned this great activity, but now there\u2019s only five minutes left. You\u2019re tempted to squeeze it in and risk finishing a little late.<\/p>\n\n\n It\u2019s frustrating not using an activity you\u2019ve planned. But it\u2019s time to stop being precious about your lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n Solutions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n When you plan, drill down to the essentials. What must the students understand? Be ruthless. Cut anything that doesn\u2019t deliver. It will streamline your lesson and improve learning.<\/p>\n\n\n The game you planned took 20 minutes rather than 10. Or an activity you were sure would keep them busy finished in minutes. It\u2019s annoying when our estimates are out.<\/p>\n\n\n Solutions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n Games with different challenges and levels are likely to keep them engaged for longer than a blanket activity for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n You planned a quick, lively debate, but it\u2019s dragged on. You\u2019ve barely covered half of your lesson plan.<\/p>\n\n\n Work out what is derailing the pace of the lesson. Are you talking too long or allowing a few students to dominate conversation? Finding the problem will help you apply the best solution.<\/p>\n\n\n Solutions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n Keeping a good pace is difficult in the classroom. Online, it\u2019s even harder. Everything slows down as you navigate websites, explain tasks, and encourage students to engage.<\/p>\n\n\n There\u2019s a trickle of students joining your lesson late, needing you to explain what to do. It\u2019s easy for the start of the lesson to drag on.<\/p>\n\n\n You could keep everyone in a waiting room with a task in the chat bar. But you want to get students learning as quickly as possible, rather than hanging on for someone who might never arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n Solutions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n If certain students are always late, talk to them about it. Find out if there\u2019s a valid reason. You could try shifting your timings to accommodate their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n Timing might be something you\u2019ve always struggled with. Even experienced teachers often feel lessons run away from them.<\/p>\n\n\n Streamlining classes will help you stay focussed. You can keep activities in reserve if you need them. If you finish early, build in opportunities for formative assessment to gauge student understanding. This will show you where you need to slow down and explain again.<\/p>\n\n\nProblem 2: Finishing on time<\/h2>\n\n\n
Problem 3: Activities that don\u2019t match time estimates<\/h2>\n\n\n
Problem 4: Losing pace<\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nProblem 5: Waiting for students to join live lessons<\/h2>\n\n\n
Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n