In the most recent episode of Sintonía CEDDIE, Rafaela Diegoli, Academic Vice Dean of Tecnológico de Monterrey, and Pablo Andrés Torres, a faculty member from the School of Humanities and Education, delve deeply into a strategy that many of us as faculty members might not pay much attention to: the effective use of breaks. The discussion explores how these intentional pauses are an essential part of the teaching and learning process and how they can significantly enhance the educational experiences of our students.
According to our guests, breaks in the academic context are far more than simple interruptions; they are crucial intervals that allow the brain to process and absorb information. This episode touches on the potential benefits that pauses can bring to teaching methods and shares examples of their effective implementation.
For faculty, the key message is to recognize the optimal times to take a pause and how to schedule these interludes to reap the maximum benefits without disrupting the course's momentum. It highlights the need for discipline in taking the break and then refocusing when it's time to continue.
Breaks are also portrayed as acts of balance and commitment to personal care, catering to basic needs that we sometimes overlook, such as hydration. These moments of respite facilitate reconnection and ensure that the time dedicated to learning is more productive, free from distractions.
In addition to practical advice, the episode encourages starting with small steps by integrating brief breaks into classes and assessing their impact on the classroom experience, identifying the spaces where such pauses could be inserted for the benefit of your students.
Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation on Sintonía CEDDIE, designed to refine your teaching techniques and deepen student engagement.
Listen to the episode today!
