Teaching: Reducing Teacher Talking Time

Experience with Talking in class

  • Silence or pick one, if no one is saying, I’m going to do it.
  • Use of reactions
  • being okay with silence
  • mixed activities
  • asking questions to students directly

Ideas

  • Student-Led Discussions: Encourage student-led discussions where they share their thoughts, fostering an interactive environment.

  • Group Work: Use group activities to distribute speaking opportunities, making interactions more dynamic and reducing teacher-centered talk.

  • Think-Pair-Share Technique: Implement this method for individual thinking followed by partner discussion before a whole-class sharing session.

  • Technology Integration: Utilize tools like interactive whiteboards or online platforms for students to present work, minimizing teacher-led explanations.

  • Differentiated Instruction: Allow advanced students to lead discussions or explain concepts to peers, utilizing their time effectively.

  • Encourage Reflection: Assign reflection tasks where students write down what they learned or questions they have, providing verbal space outside class.

  • Visual Aids: Use charts, diagrams, or infographics to clarify content, reducing the need for extensive verbal instruction.

  • Pre-Provided Materials: Give handouts or worksheets upfront so students can focus on listening and interacting rather than taking notes.

  • Pacing Lessons: Keep lessons concise to limit detailed verbal explanations, ensuring efficient coverage of material.

  • Growth Mindset: Foster a classroom culture where students see the teacher as a facilitator of ideas, encouraging participation without pressure.

Disadvantage of high teaching time

  • The students doesn’t know when they should ask.

When

  • Convey a concept theory
  • examples
  • in spontaneous conversations

Bad habits

  • Over-explaining
  • Answering your own questions
  • Being afraid of pauses and silence

Tips

  • Ask direct clarifying Questions
  • Let students explain/read
  • Encourage students to share knowledge
  • Ask open-ended Questions
  • Use total Physical Response