A helpful reminder

VISIT just about any classroom and within minutes you’re likely to hear one.

“Remember to complete the task given.”

“Please submit on the date agreed.”

“No talking while I’m talking.” In doing so, some educators and parents are against the reminders. It may not be effective and does reminding them actually improve their behaviour?

It depends on how they are used. When given in a certain way and at certain times, they can indeed be effective.

Unfortunately, it’s rare to hear them given in a way that improves behaviour. Most often, reminders make things worse, not better.

The good news is that it’s easy to know whether you’re using them correctly.

In the case of assigning homework, reminders serve various educational needs.

It serves as an intellectual discipline, establishes study habits and eases time constraints on the amount of curricular material that can be covered in class, supplements and reinforces work done in school.

It’s normal to ask your students to do the work or assignment after lessons.

Reminders are best given to the entire class rather than to just one student.

This way, you’re not singling out any one.

AZIZI AHMAD Educator Kuala Lumpur