Are you looking for hacks for teaching students to use their study time wisely? If so, keep reading.
1. Provide visibility to and from the student to make sure the student is attending. The teacher and the student should be able to see each other at all times. Make eye contact possible at all times.
2. Get the student to organize tasks by dividing them into small segments. Establish deadlines and reward the student after finishing each segment of the task.
3. Talk regularly with the student to keep their involvement with class tasks (e.g., ask the student questions, ask the student’s opinion, stand in close proximity to the student, seat the student near the teacher’s desk, etc.).
4. Get the student to prioritize tasks by importance (e.g., task A must be done today, task B can be done today, and task C can wait until tomorrow).
5. Observe the student during study time to keep on-task behavior.
6. Take proactive steps to deal with a student’s refusal to perform a task to prevent contagion in the classroom (e.g., refrain from arguing with the student, place the student at a carrel or other quiet space to work, remove the student from the group or classroom, etc.).
7. Get the student to question any directions, explanations, and instructions not grasped.
8. Give the student a schedule of daily activities, so they know what and how much there is to do in a day.
9. Get the student to repeat the instructions orally to the teacher.
10. Select a peer to model appropriate use of study time for the student.
11. Provide sample letters, reports, forms, etc., as references for written communication.
12. Select a peer to model an appropriate conclusion of tasks for the student.
13. Choose a specific duration of time (e.g., the last fiveminutes of study time, after finishing a task, etc.) when it is permissible for the student to converse with their peers.
14. Urge the student to ask for clarification of the instructions for classroom tasks to be finished during study time.
15. Talk regularly with the student to help them follow instructions for the tasks.
16. Let the student have access to pencils, pens, etc., only after instructions have been given.
17. Provide a consistent daily routine (schedule).
18. Provide consistency of expectations while keeping expectations within the capacity and ability level of the student.
19. Make sure that the student is paying attention to the teacher when instructions are given (e.g., making eye contact, hands free of writing learning materials, looking at task, etc.).
20. Make sure that your remarks are in the form of constructive criticism rather than criticism that could be perceived as personal, menacing, etc. (e.g., instead of saying, “You always make the same mistake,” say, “A better way to do that might be . . .” ).
21. Consider using assistive technology designed to help students to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to concentrate. Click here to view list of assistive technology apps that we recommend.
