I’m now in favor of block scheduling.  I think that if it is done right, it can be a wonderful thing for students.  The longer classes make time for different activities that relate to lessons, and can help students understand what they are learning better, and can better relate it to their lives, which is very important.  It leaves more time for cooperative learning.  That helps improve student’s social skills, as well as helps them learn better, through Vygotsky’s theory of scaffolding.  They have time to help one another, so the students that are not as advanced learn the material, and the students who are advanced learn it better by explaining and teaching it to others.  Students have a better opportunity to be prepared for class, because instead of focusing on 6 subjects of homework a night, they can focus better on three subjects.

    I realize that block scheduling will not work if it is not done right.  It won’t work well if it is used as time for 90 minutes of straight lecture.  It also is not good if students have the last 50 minutes to do their homework, because then that is time lost.  It needs to have a variety of activities, and even a chance to move around a bit, even if it is just a time to stand up for a minute and stretch.  Teachers often may need special staff development on how to use a block period.

    I now see that block scheduling can be a very good thing for students.  I think that sometimes I tend to be against things that I am not accustomed to, but now that I have seen block scheduling, and learned more about it, I think it can really improve education.