Tkatchov, O. & Pollnow Kraynak, S. (2012). Time on Task and the Importance of Student Engagement. In A Practical Guide to Teaching and Learning (p.53-70). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Inc.

A Practical Guide to Teaching and Learning is a book that contains fifteen main ideas that provide an understanding of what a teacher should know and be able to do in their classroom. The book emphasizes that it is the teachers behavior that has an impact on student behavior. In particular, chapter 6, Time on Task and the Importance of Student Engagement, focuses on ways to increase student participation and engagement in a classroom setting. In order for a classroom to have high student engagement, it is important for teachers to implement various techniques, including allowing for “wait time” when expecting an answer. The chapter states that thinking is a covert form of engagement and research indicates that more students will participate if given appropriate time to think before answering a question. Wait time ensures more students are involved and has been shown to create an increase in the length and quality of student answers. Further, student-to-student interactions actually increase as students are better able to formulate their answers.