Alternative scheduling: advantages and disadvantages
(online at www.whitney.oxy.edu/altsch)

3 distinct and fundamental questions:
1. Should teachers increase use of alternative instructional methods?
Example: more cooperative learning instead of lecturing
2. In addition, should class time be increased?
Example: 90-minute classes instead of 50-minute classes
Proposal: A/B block schedule, with each class meeting for 90 minutes on alternate days.
3. In addition, should course length be decreased?
Example: semester courses instead of full-year courses
Proposal: 4x4 block schedule, with 4 courses each semester, meeting each day for 90 minutes
a
Pros and cons in theory
1. Should teachers increase use of alternative instructional methods (such as cooperative learning)?
Advantages according to advocates
  • Makes students more involved and engaged
  • Increases depth of understanding
  • Addresses diversity of learning styles
  • Adds variety, reduces boredom
  • Facilitates individual attention
a
Disadvantages according to critics
  • Takes more time than lecture, so less course content gets covered
  • Requires time and money for training and adjustments as new methods are learned and refined
a
2. In addition, should class time be increased (say, from 50 to 90 minutes)?
Advantages according to advocates
  • Allows for extended time to focus on each subject
  • Allows for more variety, such as activities that take too long for traditional classes (experiments, labs, etc.)
  • Allows students to take additional courses (6 courses plus PE versus 5 plus PE under traditional schedule)
  • Reduces time lost to administrative activities
  • Reduces number of classes teachers prepare for each day
  • Reduces number of students teachers work with each day
  • Reduces number of classes students prepare for each day
  • Improves discipline by decreasing the time spent by students passing in hallways
a
Disadvantages according to critics
  • Imposes uniformly long class time, straining student attention spans
  • Increases tedium for classes where instructional styles aren't sufficiently altered
  • Is not necessary for most interactive learning activities, which were designed for and easily fit into the standard 50-minute class
  • Doubles the amount of a subject missed when a student is absent
  • Reduces effectiveness of learning for at least some subjects (such as math and languages) where more frequent classes with less new material at a time is desirable
  • Reduces total course time per subject (by 10 percent, if class time is increased from 50 to 90 minutes but classes meet half as often)
a
3. In addition, should course length be decreased (say, from a full-year to a semester)?
Advantages according to advocates
  • Reduces number of classes teachers prepare for each semester
  • Reduces number of students teachers work with each semester
  • Reduces number of classes students focus on each semester
  • Reduces dropout rates as students get more opportunities to repeat failed courses
a
Disadvantages according to critics
  • Creates long gaps (7-8 months) in sequential courses
  • Reduces learning in subjects where continuous exposure over time is important
  • Disadvantages students taking various standardized tests, including SAT-9 and AP exams
  • Creates difficulties for students transferring in our out of the school mid-year (except when the other school involved also uses a semester block schedule)
  • Creates difficulties for students requested to submit 7th semester grades for college admission
  • Increases scheduling difficulties for remaining year-long programs and courses such as music
  • Is the most difficult and time-consuming to set up, compared to competing alternatives
a