Block Teaching Structure
Block Teaching Structure is an educational technique that refers to the situation where subjects are taught in concentrated and longer hours of classes instead of the usual shorter or traditional ones. Basically, this method allows the students to get deeper into the topics and therefore increase their understanding and retention of the information.
Besides more-engaged learning and concentration, Block Teaching Structure has many other benefits also. In addition, it is a format that enables more hands-on activities and collaborative group work which, in turn, improves learning. A case in point is an instance where a high school science class carries out a Week-long lab project which, in fact, lets students study the scientific method thoroughly.
The strategy of Block Teaching has proven to be very beneficial in the learning process of students as it provides them with the opportunity to analyze the topic in a more in-depth way, and practice and application for a longer period. As a result, students mostly show better understanding and higher ability in subjects taught in blocks due to the fact that they have a greater capacity to work on a specific subject without cognitive overload.
One of the challenges that will be encountered when implementing Block Teaching Structure is the absolute necessity for sufficient planning and timetabling as well as possible resistance from both students and parents who are used to the traditional teaching methods. Teachers may also encounter the difficulty of teaching the same amount of material in fewer blocks which would need a shift in the curriculum design and the assessment strategies.
Block Teaching Structure right in front of our eyes can be looked at as a middle school having a long holiday of the project-based learning module. In this mode, for a week students can stay one whole week on a certain historical event, having research, discussion, and presentation, creation, and finally gain an understanding of it through different activities.