How frequently should an instructor resume teaching methods during a class?

In teaching, it is generally recommended that instructors vary their teaching methods roughly every 20 minutes. This frequency aligns with attention span research, which suggests that students may begin to lose focus after about 10 to 20 minutes of the same instructional approach. By changing methods around this time, instructors can re-engage students, cater to different learning styles, and maintain a dynamic classroom environment. This strategy fosters better retention of information and keeps the learning experience interactive.

Adjusting teaching methods at about 20-minute intervals allows for the incorporation of activities, discussions, or multimedia presentations, thereby revitalizing students’ attention and enhancing their overall learning experience. This approach is particularly effective in keeping students motivated and involved in the material being presented.