Teaching methods and time on task in junior classrooms

Summary Data derived from systematic observation of pupils and teachers in 32 junior classrooms are used to consider the relationship between the teaching methods employed by teachers and the proportion of class time pupils spend engaged on curriculum tasks. Correlations between levels of whole‐class, group and individual interactions and the proportions of lesson time pupils spend working directly on curriculum tasks show that classrooms which have higher levels of whole‐class interaction have considerably higher levels of pupil time on task than classrooms with lower levels of whole‐class interactions. Further analysis shows that this association cannot be accounted for simply by pupils spending more time on task during class lessons. In particular, higher levels of whole‐class interaction are associated with pupils spending a higher proportion of time on task during periods of individual activity as well as at other times.