A clear structure provides support and forms the basis of learning. Structure ensures that students know what is expected of them. A clear structure provides support and forms the basis of learning. Structure ensures that students know what is expected of them. They rely on that structure, which strengthens their sense of competence. The more structure and regularity are provided, the less cognitively burdened the students are, and the more space they have left for the learning material. As a teacher, you can mainly provide structure in the areas of discipline and the learning process. In terms of discipline, you can ensure structure by agreeing on consistent behavioral rules with them, making expectations clear, and acting consistently when these agreements are violated. For example, you can reward discipline by granting exclusive access to a seminar to students who have completed all the offered quizzes in between. You can structure the learning process by providing clear learning outcomes, breaking down the material into manageable steps, giving worked examples, helping with planning, being consistent, and giving powerful feedback. Structure is important, but too much structure can make students passive because they feel they are losing autonomy and the lessons become more boring for them. After all, they know exactly what is going to happen. It is therefore important to find the right balance between providing structure and supporting autonomy. By involving students in the creation of behavioral rules and the determination of the learning process, this can be ensured.
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