Clarification Pauses
Clarification Pauses
Clarification Pauses/The Pause Procedure involves taking strategic pauses during a lecture to allow students to review notes, discuss key points, and clarify misunderstandings.
Alternative/linked methods: Pause Procedure
Why?
- Improves Attention
- Enhances Understanding
- Promotes Active Listening
- Facilitates Peer Interaction
How?
- Structure content into chunks of 12-15 minutes
- Pause for 2-3 minutes after each chunk
- Encourage students to summarise notes
- Facilitate pair discussions
- Ask students to frame questions
When?
- During long lectures
- In large classes
- After introducing important concepts
- When student attention wanes
Get Started
- Encourage students to list key points
- Have students compare notes with a partner
- Ask students to write questions about the material
- Facilitate mind mapping exercises
Digital Enhancement
- Implement pauses during virtual classes
- Use breakout rooms for discussions
- Combine in-person and online pauses
- Use digital tools for note-sharing
- Facilitate online mind mapping
Resources
- Stuart J, Rutherford RJ. Medical student concentration during lectures. Lancet. 1978 Sep 2;2(8088):514-6. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(78)92233-x. PMID: 79879.
- Bachhel, R. and Thaman, R. (2014) ‘Effective Use of Pause Procedure to Enhance Student Engagement and Learning’, Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR, 8, pp. XM01-XM03.
- Bonwell, C.C. and Eison, J.A., 1991. Active learning: Creating excitement in the classroom. Washington, DC: ERIC Clearinghouse on Higher Education, The George Washington University. (ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report).
- Ruhl, K., Hughes, C. and Schloss, P. (1987) ‘Using the Pause Procedure to Enhance Lecture Recall’, Teacher Education and Special Education: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, 10.