Flexible Time
Introduction to Exemplar Resources
Time Redesigned
Anytime, anywhere learning is possible like never before.
The digital age has opened doors for learning to occur 24/7/365. Personal devices allow people to learn on-the-go and can be leveraged as accelerators of learning when students move from consuming technology and content to creating with technology and content.
One place to start that transition is to redesign the school day to fit learning needs rather than structural needs. Consider these examples as possibilities, and consider sharing with The Center if you have examples of how you have redesigned time in your system!
Flexible time within and beyond learning environments can take many shapes. To the left is an example of an intersession (a break in the typical daily and/or weekly schedule) from an elementary pilot. This school leadership team and their AEA partners designed a two-week competency-based intersession for grades 3, 4, and 5. The two weeks were spent immersed in challenge-based learning projects related to students' interests within the common themes of conservation, health, and motion. During this time, learners were in mixed-grade groups and demonstrated proficiency in ELA, math, and science standards in addition to competencies for collaboration and complex communication.
This elementary building saw a reduction of discipline referrals by 50% for the two-week period of the intersession compared to comparable two-week periods, as well as a reduction in absenteeism by 44% in the same periods.
Sample Challenge-based Learning Intersession Calendar.pdf
Summit Learning Example
1:1 Mentor Check-Ins occur during the designated time for Personalized Learning Time (PLT)
During “Mentor Community Time”, each mentor participates in structured community-building activities with his/her community of mentees
Modified Block
Another form of flexible use of time is the modified block schedule. This schedule allows for longer blocks (for labs, community immersion, writer's workshops, projects, problem solving, interdisciplinary connections, etc.) as well as daily practice with key practices.
Research Spotlight on Block Scheduling: NEA Reviews of the Research on Best Practices in Education
Copy of Sample Modified Block Schedule.pdf