Predictability: Environment & Structure

Overview

Maintaining consistent routines, structures, and supports ensures that students are able to trust and predict what will happen next. Predictability in the learning environment helps students feel secure because they know the expectations, freeing up their Working Memory so they can apply their cognitive skills to learning. Consistency and predictability are especially important for students who do not experience such stability outside of school.

Use It in the Classroom

Watch how this seventh grade teacher establishes routines and expectations during the first few days of school. By spending time describing and practicing procedures like passing papers, students learn how to transition efficiently. Going over the rules and expectations also allows students know what is expected of them and how to be successful.

Through modeling of routines and posting a daily schedule, teachers can establish clear expectations for students and show that the classroom is a safe, predictable space to learn. When there is consistency in practices and predictability in routines, students experience less anxiety, can practice Self-regulation, and have more time to devote to learning. Some examples of these routines include classroom rules, opening or closing activities, transitioning, working in groups, and using technology.

Design It into Your Product

Developers can create consistent interfaces and repetitive structures or frameworks to facilitate predictability within their products. This supports learners by letting them know what to anticipate and allows their Attention to be on learning content.

View References

Resources

Below are additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.

Examples

Daily Agenda

Resource on The Learning Accelerator

Examples

Example Routines & Procedures

List of routines and potential ways to address them

Examples

Opening and Closing Activities

Edutopia blog of six easy opening and closing activities to promote consistency

Examples

Routines Intervention Guide

Guide to effectively teach routines