Context
Roots was highly intentional about how their students spent their time, and also realized that early learners may need less time on any given task than students in older grade levels. Given this, student rotations for K-1 graders generally lasted between 12 and 15 minutes. This time-frame set is suggested by the book Brain Rules, a research-based book on brain function by John Medina. According to Medina, student retention drops significantly after 15 minutes, so Roots views it as important to provide students with a variety of learning opportunities throughout the day, usually in increments of 15 minutes or less.
Approximately 25% of a student’s total learning time throughout the day was spent on software, though this number varies somewhat based on individual need. Since research is sparse on the ideal amount of time for students to spend on instructional software, this number is driven primarily by the availability of quality content and Roots’ own observations of student engagement, learning progress, and behavior.
Roots Elementary was a K-2 charter school in Denver that used technology along with innovative staffing, curricular, and physical structures to provide a student-centered learning experience.
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