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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.

5 of 178 comments (clear)

  1. Duh by TFlan91 · · Score: 5, Funny

    New research says if you let kids sleep through their hangover, it will improve their learning. News at 11.

    1. Re:Duh by Tharkkun · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Did they study the improvement on early classes if kids went to sleep and woke earlier? Did they study the benefits when kids stay up even later and wake even later?

      I doubt it. Because I would bet if they changed classes to 11AM then students would just stay up for 3 hours later knowing they could sleep in. Once their bodies adjusted it would business as usual. Waking up groggy for 11AM classes instead.

  2. You'd have better luck with mandatory exercises by NicknameUnavailable · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's not the time, it's the time awake. In college-aged people especially (late nights, partying, etc) this is a factor. The military has PT every morning to make sure people are awake before work, 30-60 minutes (depending on the exercises done) each morning is enough to wake people up, another 30-60 minutes to shower and eat and you're at 1-2 hours prep time to be fully alert. The issue isn't the time (if you started at 11AM each morning you'd just have 1PM be the new "best time to start" within a month or two.)

  3. Re:New structure for school day by PPH · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We are talking about learning in a college environment.

    Learning includes things like responsibility, good study/work habits and prioritizing your time. It's not about the success of a business. It's about your success or failure later on in life.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  4. 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.