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
These are such complicated and frustrating times. I am so sorry you had such a negative reply from a student, we are all feeling so much stress right now.
ReplyDeleteDo you imagine using your blog for personal reflection only? Is this a platform you are inviting other educators in your school to use? How would you engage students with blogging as Dr. Arnold suggested? In Chemistry, I imagine students have to engage in some form of reflection regarding their lab work. Would having students keep a blog instead of a paper and pencil notebook be practical?
I look forward to hearing more from you!
Julianna McDowell
Thanks for the response Julianna. This was a test post for refective purposes only. Please refer to my second post for engaging students with blogging.
DeleteHaving students to keep a blog would be practicle at times. Other times there is no subsitution for a lab notebook where you can go back and review your trails.
Spelling corrections
Deletetrial
reflective
It is very sad to realize how many students are having a difficult time with their new "normal" classroom structure. Distance learning is definitely not for every student. That being said, it is so hard to not take these sorts of attacks or lashing outs personal. You did the right thing by taking a step back before responding. I commend you for that.
ReplyDeleteHow do you plan to use your blog in the classroom? After reading your post, I can see your blog being a reflection of your day or week with students. How will your students engage in these reflections? Maybe your students could comment on your reflection of the week, sort of like a weekly exit ticket.
I look forward to reading more of these reflection posts, if indeed that is the direction you are going with this.
Thanks for the response Wanda. This was a test post for refective purposes only. Please refer to my second post for engaging students with blogging in the classroom.
DeleteI would have the students engage in personal reflections from time to time. Mainly the blog post woud be used for alternate strategies and methodolgies to tackle some of the more challenging areas of the curriculum such as thermochemistry and stochiometry.
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DeleteIt is very sad to realize how many students are having a difficult time with their new "normal" classroom structure. Distance learning is definitely not for every student. That being said, it is so hard to not take these sorts of attacks or lashing outs personal. You did the right thing by taking a step back before responding. I commend you for that.
ReplyDeleteHow do you plan to use your blog in the classroom? After reading your post, I can see your blog being a reflection of your day or week with students. How will your students engage in these reflections? Maybe your students could comment on your reflection of the week, sort of like a weekly exit ticket.
I look forward to reading more of these reflection posts, if indeed that is the direction you are going with this.
Wanda Jackson
Thanks for the response Wanda. This was a test post for refective purposes only. Please refer to my second post for engaging students with blogging in the classroom.
DeleteI would have the students engage in personal reflections from time to time. Mainly the blog post woud be used for alternate strategies and methodolgies to tackle some of the more challenging areas of the curriculum such as thermochemistry and stochiometry.
Spelling corrections
Deletetrial
reflective