Skip main navigation

New offer! Get 30% off one whole year of Unlimited learning. Subscribe for just £249.99 £174.99. New subscribers only. T&Cs apply

Find out more

Transitioning from one activity to the next

Watch educators talking about how they transition from one activity to another with young people.

A ‘transition’ is moving from one activity to the next. Getting transitions right gives your activity continuity and a sense of purpose. Watch the video of educators talking about how they transition.

Transitions are made up of:

  • Effectively finishing off one activity
  • Ensuring everyone has had sufficient time to complete the activity
  • Bringing everyone back to you and ensuring they are ready to listen. You could use a countdown or noise maker to get everyone’s attention
  • Questioning to see how they have done and what they understood
  • Starting off the next stage of the activity
  • Outlining what will happen
  • Explaining how the two activities are linked
  • Explaining the progression of the activities
  • Checking understanding

Throughout this process the pace at which you deliver each step is incredibly important. You need to ensure you have given the young people enough time to do the activity and any talking that you do is purposeful and productive.

Comment

How are you going to make your transitions effective? Share ideas in comments.
This article is from the free online

Volunteering in the Classroom: Communication Skills for STEM Volunteers

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now