Whether in single-building elementary schools or multifacility college campuses, clocks are often an overlooked yet essential part of any educational institution. When all clocks within a school are synchronized, their benefits go beyond simply telling time. They can help decrease tardiness, solidify schedules, and optimize standardized test-taking. Additionally, and possibly most importantly, synchronized clocks can be a tool to maximize learning time in the classroom.
What is the Value of In-Person Learning Time in Schools?
A strong and positive correlation exists between increased learning time and improvements in student achievement. A 2025 study by the Institute of Education Sciences found that extended learning time in K-12 schools:
- Promoted academic motivation
- Positively impacted struggling students
- Positively affected literacy and math achievements
Moreover, adding just 15 more minutes of instructional time per day, equivalent to about an extra week of classes per academic year, is associated with a roughly 1% increase in overall test scores and a 1.5% increase for disadvantaged students.
Distractions during lesson time take away from active learning. Late students, faulty bells, or incorrect clocks can all cause in-classroom disruptions and cut into learning time. Fortunately, a solution exists that can help maximize every available classroom minute.
Schoolwide Benefits of Primex Timekeeping Solutions
When all clocks within a school or throughout a campus display the same time, it eliminates time discrepancies. When students look up at clocks, whether analog or digital, they'll all have the exact same amount of time between every scheduled class period, which helps build routine and assists in keeping them from being late to class. And every second and minute matters when it comes to learning!
As a supplement to Primex clocks, Primex Notify® InfoBoard displays™ can act as countdown timers to improve student flow in hallways and show students exactly how much time they have left to get to class. Sure, students may know that they have four minutes in between periods, but when they see the four minutes counting down, chances are that they'll likely get moving quicker to beat that clock!
Working seamlessly with any Primex Sync solution — the wireless 72 MHz, Bluetooth Low Energy, or Wi-Fi or wired Power over Ethernet/IP — a Primex Bell Controller can adapt to a school's existing PA system to keep class schedules on track. School staff can log into the web-based OneVue® software platform to trigger standard or custom bell patterns and alter schedules for instances of inclement weather, impromptu pep rallies, or emergencies. Keeping classes on schedule and students where they need to be will help to maximize the time they spend in their intended classrooms.
At college campuses, one student can look at a clock in the library while another student looks at a clock in the union — and both clocks will be the exact same. These synchronous clocks can strengthen time management skills for studying hours, extracurricular time, or lunchtime between classes. Stronger time management skills can help put students in better positions to maximize their learning in and out of the classroom, discussion course, or lecture hall. Plus, college and university leaders can rest easy knowing that no matter the size of their campus, Primex guarantees synchronized time coverage, thanks to in-house engineers performing free virtual site evaluations.
Add Another Tool to Optimize Learning at Your School
Professors, lecturers, teachers, and other faculty undoubtedly work hard to ensure students receive the best education possible. To help them get the most out of the time they are allotted with students, consider a Primex Sync synchronized time solution for your school. When students and staff operate on the same time, they can form better cohesive relationships, leading to a higher level of learning.
Contact us today for more information on how to get a Primex clock system in your facility to start experiencing these benefits.
This blog was originally written in February of 2023 and has been updated.
