This course is FREE with an Online Subscription

Course Description

Teaching involves constant decision-making, from responding to student questions to managing behaviour and adjusting lessons. Over time, these ongoing choices can create mental clutter and reduce a teacher’s focus and energy. This practical course helps primary teachers reduce mental clutter by simplifying everyday classroom decisions. Teachers will explore common sources of decision fatigue and identify small changes that can make their teaching day more manageable.



Audience

Primary Teachers


Teaching Standards

4.2.2 Proficient Level - Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments - Manage classroom activities:  Establish and maintain orderly and workable routines to create an environment where student time is spent on learning tasks

6.2.2 Proficient Level - Engage in Professional Learning - Engage in professional learning and improve practice:  Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities




FREE with  Online Subscription

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • Welcome

    • Acknowledgement of Country

    • Learning Objectives

    • Teaching Standards

  • 2

    Module 1 - Why Teaching Creates Mental Clutter

    • Introduction

    • Teaching Is a Rapid Decision Environment

    • Cognitive Load in the Classroom

    • Case Study - A Moment of Mental Clutter

    • Decision Fatigue

    • Why Small Decisions Add Up

    • Scenario Activity: A Busy 15 Minutes

    • Resource: Mental Clutter Snapshot

    • Reflection Question
  • 3

    Module 2 – The Hidden Decisions Teacher Make All Day

    • Introduction

    • Micro-Decisions in Teaching

    • When Decisions Interrupt Thinking

    • A Simple Decision Filter

    • A Simple Strategy: Rule Before Response

    • Pick Your Battles: Minimising Minor Behaviour Corrections

    • Decision Shortcuts

    • Why Decision Rules Work

    • Resource: Identify Your Hidden Decisions

    • Reflection Question
  • 4

    Module 3 – Interruptions and Teacher Thinking

    • Introduction

    • Why Interruptions Increase Mental Load

    • Why Interruptions Feel Mentally Draining

    • The Accumulation Effect

    • Interruptions and Decision-Making

    • Reducing Mental Load Through Fewer Decisions

    • Resource: Interruptions Audit

    • Reflection Question
  • 5

    Module 4 – The “Good Enough” Teaching Rule

    • Introduction

    • The Pressure to Do Everything Well

    • When Perfectionism Increases Mental Load

    • The “Good Enough” Principle

    • Why Simplifying Decisions Helps

    • Simplified Marking and Feedback

    • Resource: Applying the “Good Enough” Rule

    • Scenario Activity - Choosing Where to Focus Your Effort
  • 6

    Module 5 – One Change That Will Reduce Your Mental Load

    • Introduction

    • Why Small Changes Matter

    • A Simple Framework for Reducing Mental Clutter

    • Examples of Simplifying Decisions in Practice

    • Resource: Mental Clutter Action Plan

    • Reflection Question

    • Wrap Up

    • Reference List
  • 7

    Course Feedback

    • Course Feedback

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