Block scheduling is a type of scheduling used by schools that increase the time students spend in a class. The framework allows students to learn more efficiently because they have more exposure to the material per learning session. It’s been proven that when students spend more time on a single subject they retain the information better than if the time is broken up into smaller pieces. You can think of block scheduling as a combination of an entire week of material into one or two much longer sessions. This technique is just as effective for online classes as it is for in-person ones.
Block scheduling can be a great way to manage your learning schedule while taking courses online. This post is going to explain why block scheduling works so well and the best way you can apply it to your online classes.
Why block scheduling is so effective
Learning is unique for everyone. There are a 100 different strategies to learn that can work great for different people in different situations. When you’re trying to learn something, overall time spent studying matters less than continuous time spent studying. By spending more time per subject, you can understand it easier than if you jump between topics.
Longer time blocks also allow you to dive deeper into concepts related to the subject material. Students have the time to absorb the material, process it, and then discuss it all in one session. The compartmentalized nature of block scheduling allows for thoughts to be completed and questions answered which can lead to a better understanding of the topic. When you stop studying and pick up another day, you have to waste time refreshing what was learned instead of simply moving on to the next set of concepts. Universities have been using a similar method to block scheduling for a long time, but it has only recently been applied to high school classes.
If you’re thinking about going to high school online, then you may be looking for good ways to handle the workload. Adopting a block scheduling method for yourself can be an extremely effective way to get through your workload faster.
How to apply block scheduling to your online classes
Online high schools were built for block scheduling. One of the biggest advantages of going to school online is that you get to choose how you want to organize your day. There are several different kinds of block scheduling strategies, and it’s a good idea to do some experimentation before you settle on a single method.
Types of block schedules:
Alternating days:
This is a schedule where you divide the classes you’re taking and take half one day and half the next. If you are taking 4 classes, then you study the first two classes one day and the other two the next day. You would then switch back to the first two on the third day. This can be a really effective strategy because it’s a good balance between time spent with a subject and time to absorb what you have learned.
One subject at a time:
This is something that is only possible online. Some students find it effective to finish an entire semester’s worth of work in a subject all at once before moving onto the next subject. This keeps your mind engaged and thinking about that subject, but it does have some downsides. Working solely on a single course until it’s complete can get tedious for some students. You will need to decide if this method will work for your specific learning style.
Conclusion
No matter which route you choose, block scheduling can make your time taking classes online much more efficient and rewarding. If you’re interested in going back to high school online, then you should consider taking your classes in a block, you’ll thank yourself later.