Blog Use in My Classroom (EDU 6710... Day 3 of Week 2)

• The purpose of this blog is to have alternative and supplemental activities to support in-class lectures and assignments for students that are behind, ahead, or would like different forms of mastery for Chemistry concepts.
  
  
  The content area is Chemistry that supports students at the high school level grades 9 - 12. This blog is a good tool for education because it gives students a support mechanism that is a custom to their digital native roots. "The use of technology in teaching supports students in the learning process, can contribute to a better understanding of abstract concepts of chemistry and play an important role in reducing learning difficulties” (IANOȘ & OPROIU, 2018 pp. 55–62).
  
  
  STE Standards for Teachers
  
  
  "Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (ISTE, 2008).
  
  
  "Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations” (ISTE, 2008).
  
  
  The above ISTE standards are met by the teacher when online digital tools, such as blogging and microblogging are used to transfer their knowledge and planning abilities to current relevant digital native student learning.
  
  
  
  ISTE Standards for Students
  
  
  “Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences” (ISTE, 2016).
  
  
  “Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others” (ISTE, 2016).
  
  
  The above ISTE standards can be met by the students by accessing the blog and using the various content that supports their specific learning needs and style.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  References
  
  
  IANOȘ, M. G., & OPROIU, G. C. (2018). Using Technology to Teach Chemistry. A Theoretical Approach. eLearning & Software for Education, 3, 55–62. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.12753/2066-026X-18-149
  
  
  International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). (2016). Standards for Students. http://www.iste.org/standards/standards/for-students-2016
  
  
  International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). (2008). Standards for Teachers. http://www.iste.org/standards/standards/standards-for-teachers

Remember, the majority of High School Students are unseasoned Online Learners that still need Guidance during Distance Learning

While completing my new normal of putting in grades, checking emails, and creating lesson plans on Saturday and Sunday now, I opened up a scathing email from a student that said she did not complete the distance learning assignment with a satisfactory grade because I did not teach the material.

Before I responded with a very curt response of my own, back to her, on what she did do not to help herself, I calmly began by thanking her for the email that she sent me. From there, I mentioned that I am here for her and I would guide her through any of the necessary steps to make sure that she had the knowledge to respond to the assignment problems accurately. I also mentioned to her that she had not been present during the required Zoom sessions nor did she contact me during my online office hours.

From there, I received an email back from the young lady thanking me for my prompt response. She also acknowledged that she had not been the ideal student during COVID-19 because of the lack of daily educational structure that the physical school building provided.

Most teenage students are stepping into the world of self-imposed online educational discipline for the first time.

As educators during this time, we must remember that although we give students a bevy of online resources and applications to complete distance learning assignments, the personal touch of online screen time will go a long way in helping transition from a daily physical in-person learning experience to a self-paced and self-disciplined online distance learning experience platform.

Stay calm and be mindful that it is difficult for the average high school student, no matter how online tech-savvy they are.

ChemMitchell