Skip to main content

Academic Learning Time

  • Reference work entry

Synonyms

Academic engaged time; On-task behavior; Student engagement

Definition

Academic learning time (ALT) is the amount of time students are actively, successfully, and productively engaged in learning relevant academic content. Academic engaged time and student engagement are typically used interchangeably. Each is a broader term that encompasses not only the quantity of time spent on an academic task (i.e., learning time), but also related cognitive and emotional learner-centered variables such as self-motivation, initiative, and self-regulation (Gettinger and Ball 2008). On-task behavioris a narrow term, most often associated with “paying attention.” Observable indices of on-task behavior can include behaviors such as completing assignments, participating in discussions looking at the teacher, or listening to peers. Research on the association between time-related variables (e.g., student engagement time, on-task time) and school performance affirm that time spent in learning...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   3,400.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   2,999.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ben-Peretz, M., & Bromme, R. (Eds.). (1991). The nature of time in schools: Theoretical concepts, practitioner perceptions. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, J. B. (1963). A model of school learning. Teachers College Record, 64, 723–733.

    Google Scholar 

  • Denham, C., & Lieberman, A. (Eds.). (1980). Time to learn. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fredrick, W. C., & Walberg, H. J. (1980). Learning as a function of time. Journal of Educational Research, 73, 183–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gettinger, M., & Ball, C. (2008). Best practices in increasing academic engaged time. In A. Thomas & J. Grimes (Eds.), Best practices in school psychology V (pp. 1043–1057). Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gettinger, M., & Stoiber, K. (2009). Effective teaching and effective schools. In T. B. Gutkin & C. R. Reynolds (Eds.), The handbook of school psychology (4th ed., pp. 769–790). Hoboken: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maribeth Gettinger .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this entry

Cite this entry

Brodhagen, E.M., Gettinger, M. (2012). Academic Learning Time. In: Seel, N.M. (eds) Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_546

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_546

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1427-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1428-6

  • eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and Law

Publish with us

Policies and ethics