Re: Block schedules, 3 grading periods and other things

[sample@shire.lyon.edu (John D. Sample)]

> The first thing to note about the proposed restructuring of the
> class schedule from 5 periods of 50 min to 3 periods of 75 min is that
> the net result is a 10 percent reduction in contact time. The
> second thing to note is that the change goes against the observation
> that attention spans have a fintie length. It is hard to keep the
> same intensity during a 75 min period as during a 50 min period.

Yes.  At this college we seem to debate this on an ongoing basis and what
bothers me is that nobody brings up the curricular goals you have in mind.
It is assumed that one can shorten/lengthen semesters, and class periods at
will and the curriculum will adapt itself to whatever schedule is
convenient.  An extreme example of this is stuffing a science course into a
3-week period with daily 3-hr meetings as we have been known to do in
January.

I would encourage anyone contemplating a change of format to first ask
themselves what they are trying to get done, and design a course format to
help you reach your goals.

J. D. Sample                          (501) 698-4625
Math-Physics Dept                     sample@lyon.edu
Lyon College
2300 Highland Road
Batesville, Arkansas 72501