by Gary Brents

Created on: November 18, 2009

Is a Traditional Learning style better than Block Learning Styles?

Traditionally, most public schools have held six or seven class subject teaching days. Children had to shift gears, throughout the day, and in middle or high schools they have had to move classrooms, for each subject. However, once these kids moved further into College, the training methods were changed to Block learning. So, we went to various sources and began asking the question, which was perceived as being the best method for teaching?

My wife and I spoke to College and Jr. College or Community College teachers and professors, in the local area, as to whether Block Learning was more or less beneficial, than the Traditional Learning style, for the student's retention and concentration. We were not surprised, that we received various points of view, on this inquiry. We then moved to the Middle and Elementary Schools, to discuss the College Educator's collective view points, to see what their prospective on the subject was.

While most of the educators we spoke to agreed, that Block Learning teaching styles are preferred, and most beneficial, the various grades and schools have held to the traditional style to allow for larger classes and reduced budgets which are normally experienced in Elementary through High School grade classes. As the student's progress in their education, they are moved more towards the Block learning style, by having to move from class room to class room, to be with other teachers. However, the work loads are still consistent with what is familiar in Elementary Class schedules, in that there are multiple subjects being taught throughout the day.

In speaking with an educator, who works at Cal-State Fullerton, with at-risk children and community segments, it was communicated that in traditional learning styles, kids have been found to have less abilities to focus on a single subject and even have issues with retention, due to distractions or not enough access to their instructors. She further stated that in discussions with others in her department, and at convention work-shops, that the methods of block learning allowed the student time to absorb materials more readily among at risk groups.

Please Explain This Block Learning Concept:

In Block Learning, a few number of class subjects are being taught, in more concentrated amounts, during a single day's schedule. Each class is a little longer than in Elementary or High School. A Typical Elementary, Middle, Or High School

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