ODYSSEYWARE

When Johnny comes to school tired, nobody wins. Fatigue is one of the biggest motivation killers for today’s students. With so many ways to connect with friends late into the night, many are coming to school sleep deprived and unprepared to learn.

Teachers are usually left to deal with this problem on an individual or class basis. The good news is, a recent study conducted at a private Rhode Island high school indicates that pushing back school start times by as little as 30 minutes may put teens in a better place to learn. For the study, school started one half hour later than usual for students in grades 9-12. As a result, students showed every indication of improved motivation and less depression and fatigue.

According to the study The Impact of Delaying School Start Time on Adolescent Sleep, Mood, and Behavior,

Once a later start time is implemented, average bedtimes were 18 minutes earlier, and the mean duration of sleep for the teens on school nights increased by 45 minutes, from seven hours and seven minutes to seven hours and 52 minutes. Also, the percent of students getting less than seven hours of sleep decreased by 79.4 percent. . .

After a two-month study of 200 students, research found fewer fatigue-related complaints and increased class attendance. What do others have to say about this moving back of the clock to accommodate sleepy-eyed learners?

Delaying school start times is not a new idea. In fact, many school officials have not changed school start times, even with evidence of its benefits, as it affects a complete shift in everyday routines. School starts are predictable, argue some, and set the rhythm for the entire community. A shift in school start time would mean a shift in life.

It’s also important to consider that students’ bedtimes also affect the number of quality sleep hours teens receive.

Yet, an increase in sleep has proven positive effects in many studies, including the areas of health, mood, attention, memory, behavior, quality of life, and academic performance. Sleep deprivation is also linked to increased incidence of automobile accidents, decreased exercise, higher risks for obesity, and an increased risk for stimulant use, said the study.

One of the best things for students using ODYSSEYWARE and their teachers is that they can complete coursework 24-7 when they are most productive and alert. Easier for students. Easier for teachers. Better for learning.

Is starting the school day later something you would consider at your school? What other ways do you fight fatigue in the classroom?