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New Research Says Starting University Classes at 11am or Later Would Improve Learning (qz.com)

Posted by msmash on from the science-of-learning dept.

Using a sample of first- and second-year college students at the University of Nevada-Reno in the US and Britain's Open University, a group of researchers analyzed students' cognitive performance throughout the day and found that the best learning happened in classes that began later in the morning. From a report: Since every person's chronotype, or sleep pattern, is slightly different, there isn't one universal start time to benefit everyone -- but according to students' survey responses as well as theoretical data on circadian rhythms parsed by the researchers, starting classes at 11am or later benefits the greatest number of students. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience this week, bolsters prior research indicating that teenagers learn better with late starts; it also extends the studied age group from high school students to college sophomores and freshmen.

3 of 178 comments (clear)

  1. Re:One semester by Notabadguy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    One semester I had a Monday 8am lecture, only lecture for that class.

    Never made it to a single one. Never met the professor once. Still passed the course, somehow.

    I went to West Point - missing a class resulted in disciplinary action. I had one professor that was so bad at teaching (one of my math classes) that I had to use my infinitely valuable free period to sit in ANOTHER professor's identical class to try learning something so I could pass - because failing a course also results in disciplinary action (and dismissal from school).

    Part of me is jealous that you got to skate by, and part of me is grateful that schools like yours exist to distinguish schools like mine.

  2. Re:You'd have better luck with mandatory exercises by PPH · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This would seem to be the best solution. Play reveille on the dorm's PA system every morning at 6:00AM. Breakfast will be served promptly at 6:30 AM at the mess hall a two mile jog from the dorms. A jog back to the dorm and hot water will be available for showers from 7:30 to 8:00 AM. Then its off to class.

    We'll just call this an intro course: Life Responsibility 101.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  3. Re: One semester by Defakto · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I hate when people have this view on the military. We are not mindless robots, nor are we trained to be. Sure, initial training seems like it, but it's only because at that level you don't necessarily have the whole picture of what needs to happen, what's happening, and how to complete the mission. There are times where you need to follow orders and times where you can question the current plan.

    I rank this right there with all military are conservative, racist, violent, or arrogant.