Wait Time is a simple yet transformative teaching strategy that enhances classroom discussions, promotes critical thinking, and encourages all students to participate. By allowing students time to process questions and formulate responses, educators can create a more inclusive and thoughtful learning environment.
In this article, we’ll explore what Wait Time is, why it’s essential in the classroom, and practical tips for implementing it effectively.
What is Wait Time?
Wait Time refers to the intentional pause a teacher takes after asking a question and before calling on a student to answer. It also includes the pause after a student’s response before the teacher reacts. This strategy gives students the opportunity to:
- Process the question more deeply.
- Formulate thoughtful and accurate responses.
- Build confidence in their participation.
Why is Wait Time Important in the Classroom?
- Encourages Thoughtful Responses: Students have time to think critically and articulate more meaningful answers.
- Promotes Equitable Participation: Wait Time levels the playing field, allowing introverted or hesitant students to contribute.
- Fosters Deeper Understanding: Pausing encourages students to reflect and connect new knowledge with prior learning.
- Reduces Teacher Dominance: Teachers shift from dominating the conversation to facilitating student-led discussions.
- Improves Academic Performance: Research shows that incorporating Wait Time can lead to more accurate answers and better retention of material.
How to Implement Wait Time Effectively
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use “wait time” effectively in your teaching:
- Step 1: Prepare Your Question or Prompt: Craft a clear and thought-provoking question or prompt related to your lesson’s content. Ensure that it’s open-ended and requires more than a “yes” or “no” response.
- Step 2: Pose the Question: Present the question to your students. Make sure everyone can hear and understand the question. Write it on the board or display it on a screen if required.
- Step 3: Wait in Silence (Think Time 1): After asking the question, pause and give students a fixed period of “think time.” This can range between a few seconds and a minute, depending on the complexity of the question. During this time, students should think about their response without any pressure to answer immediately.
- Step 4: Encourage Student Responses: After the initial think-time, encourage students to share their answers, ideas, or thoughts. You can use phrases like “Who would like to start?”, “I’d like to hear your thoughts on this.”, “Take your time; there’s no rush.”
- Step 5: Wait Again (Think Time 2): Once a student responds to the question, don’t discuss the response immediately. Provide a second period of “think time.” This pause allows other students to consider their answers and encourages more responses.
- Step 6: Facilitate Discussion: After the second think time, initiate a class discussion based on the responses. Encourage students to build on each other’s ideas, ask questions, and engage in discussions.
- Step 7: Summarise and Reflect: Conclude the discussion by summarising key points or insights. Reflect on the “wait time” and how it helped to have a deeper understanding of the topic. Encourage students to recognise the benefits of taking their time to think before responding.
- Step 8: Repeat as Needed: Incorporate “wait time” into your teaching routine consistently. It can be used at various phases of your lesson, such as introducing new concepts, reviewing material, or assessing understanding.
Examples of Wait Time in Action
- Science Class
Question: “What do you predict will happen during this experiment?”
Wait Time: Pause for 5 seconds to let students think before answering.
- Math Class
Question: “How can we solve this equation using a different method?”
Post-Response Wait Time: Pause after a student answers to invite other ideas or refinements.
- History Class
Question: “What were the key factors leading to this historical event?”
Wait Time: Allow students to reflect and connect the event to broader themes.
For teachers, Wait Time provides valuable insight into students’ understanding and encourages a more reflective classroom culture. For students, it builds confidence, promotes critical thinking, and fosters a sense of inclusivity and respect.
Combine this strategy with No Opt Out and Cold Call to increase class participation and student accountability.