Oy.
I know that we've all heard some strange things from administrators and teachers.
So I have been working my hiney off for YEARS trying to explain to DD's school why it is NOT okay for her to shoot for "100%" as her sole goal... and how this is leading to maladaptive coping skills, etc. etc.
Well, you know.
I have also joked (cruelly, it's true) that we gave them a 6yo with a four hour attention span, and they have returned us an adolescent with a
ten second attention span and a love of fast-moving slickly produced video clips which provide escape from mind-numbing drudgery.
This has officially dipped into surreal territory today, however-
When the goal is to complete courses with the greatest amount of success, tips to increase your student's attention span is an appropriate topic
It is important to talk with your student to find out how much time he or she thinks it will be possible to study without becoming distracted. A five minute break can be allowed between sessions. Study sessions can be designed to last as long as the student has a good ability to focus. When his or her mind begins to wander, encouragment should be given to make a quick list of the topics that are interfering with concentration. Later, those distractions can be addressed and issues resolved. As a student learns to maintain focused attention, the length of study time can increase.
When given the option, choose topics and projects that are the most interesting to the student. Provide choices of activities that are manageable and challenging. Tasks that are "too easy" or "too hard" defeat purpose and decrease motivation. After an assignment has been completed satisfactorily (and praise has been given for a job well done), students will often experience a feeling of exhilaration.
You... don't... say...
{thud-thud-thud}
Evidently for students with particular challenges, this is good advice. For students who are operating well beyond the level of instruction, however, well, THOSE students need to learn... to shut up and work? To tolerate it better?
I'm not even sure how my DD is supposed to 'choose challenging' tasks. I guess she's been doing that already with her strategies. Maladaptive strategies, many of them, but hey-- she IS choosing her own challenges.
Staying on task IS challenging when the work is mind-numbing, eh?
No sure what to do about motivation, though. Hmm. Should I respond and ask this person for some tips? Heh.
. And we are not even talking academics yet!