Consider the Pomodoro technique, a particularly useful strategy for
distracted learners to gain success.
This time management method uses a timer to break down work into intervals.
For adults this is traditionally 25 minutes in length, but
should be shorter for younger learners.
The method itself is simple.
Give learners a specific amount of time, and
tell them to stay focused for just that amount of time.
That's it. You'll start the timer, and
students will work until the buzzer or ringer goes off.
Reinforce to the students that they shouldn't look up or
focus on anything else until they hear that sound.
It is the simplest of techniques, but
I have found that it works particularly well with technology assignments, and,
for whatever reason, students seem to respond really well to a sound.
I knew a teacher that used a small gong, boy did that get students attention.
And interestingly, it kept them intensely focused.
All right, let's move on to our final learner.
Remember her?
This kind of learner often immediately gets engrossed in the tool itself and
starts to create and develop based on what is available.
She might used past understanding, past assignments of other tools or
other projects that finish the current assignment.
And then fail to produce the assignment you actually intend it.
Remember how our learner three decided to brainstorm about a famous actor