What practice can teachers develop to reduce the amount of required thought in a lesson so that the focus is on the student's learning needs?

Establishing routines is an effective practice that helps streamline the learning process, allowing teachers to reduce the cognitive load associated with lesson execution. By implementing consistent routines, teachers create predictable structures for students, which in turn allows for a smoother transition between activities and minimizes disruptions. This consistency means that students can engage more fully in their learning, as they spend less mental energy on figuring out what comes next or how to behave in various situations. Instead, they can concentrate on the core content and their individual learning needs.

In contrast, while implementing technology, increasing classroom discussions, and assigning homework regularly have their own merits, these approaches may not inherently lead to a reduction in the cognitive demands on both teachers and students. Technology may require additional learning and troubleshooting for both parties, discussions could lead to varied directions that require more thought and preparation, and homework assignments may add to the overall workload rather than streamline it. Establishing routines, however, focuses on creating a conducive environment for learning, thereby benefiting student engagement and understanding.