Time pressure and instructional choices when teaching mathematics

This paper examines the anecdotal claim of “Not enough time” made by teachers when expressing their struggle to cover a stipulated syllabus. The study focuses on the actual experiences of a teacher teaching mathematics to a Year 7 class in Singapore according to a designated time schedule. The demands of fulfilling multiple instructional goals within a limited time frame gave rise to numerous junctures where time pressure was felt. The interactions between ongoing time consciousness and instructional decisions will be discussed. An examination of the role played by instructional goals sheds light on the nature and causes of time pressure situations.