We know that one of the primary predictors of student success is “time on task” and as instructional designers and instructors removing friction to allow for as much distraction free time on task can be invaluable.

This is the primary reason that I’m such an advocate for following a predictable pattern schedule wise and layout wise for courses.

When students know they can expect an announcement every Monday and that the week will follow a pattern that they grow more and more familiar with as the term moves forward they experience a lower cognitive load and can focus on the content with more time on task and less on general orientation and administration.

This is also where synchronous sessions become popular since pulling students into a synchronous session on a set schedule forces them to spend time on the course and to be present.

Personally I’m not a fan of synchronous sessions since they can introduce a barrier for students who may be working incompatible hours or have other obstacles. With the name of the game being removing obstacles to learning adding some back in can be self defeating.

Still time must be taken to encourage students to develop their own routines that work with their schedules. A deliberate schedule to ensure time on task when compared to a sporadic schedule of rushing to catch up isn’t really much of a comparison. Taking the time to encourage reflection on their schedules and committing to a schedule can be the key to student success.

This regular schedule is also often absolutely key to instructor success as well. If video announcements are recorded Monday mornings and sent Monday afternoons then commit and stick to the schedule. If assignments are graded and feedback sent each week before sunrise on Friday morning then make it happen.

Your students might not thank you for your consistency but they will benefit from it.