|
Live Class: Children log into the conferencing application. They are dressed in their “school uniform”, that is their first name then last initial- always. They may chat and have fun before class. They must follow class protocols once live class begins. That means raising their hand to speak. Waiting to be called on for a question. I have noticed the students all interact very well and learn to “listen” to what classmates are saying. The students use the chat input line to indicate if they have a question or comment. The voice / white board conferencing allows for spontaneous discussion and overcomes typing issues. Usually class is at least a little bit of lecture, and then questions to the students to get them to analyze it. There is usually a discussion- sometimes on current events or ethical issues that relate to the topic. I sprinkle in some multimedia clips here and there, and I use the “Socratic Method.” This means asking questions that make the students think critically on the material in order to train the mind and help with understanding the topic. The white board is published after class so it can be referenced later if desired. Sometimes we have quiz game with teams to prepare for an upcoming test The students all get their turns to be team captains. The captains must manage a team discussion, create consensus, and give the answer within one minute for his or her team. This is a favorite class activity with the kids. Some times the students present their research reports live (with pictures!). Or they might present their experiment to the class and show the stages with pictures uploaded to our white board. White board: We use this conferencing application when we have work to do together as a class. You can think of it as both and overhead projector, as well as a “chalk board”. Students and all see me write live on it, put up diagrams and pictures and work sheets. They can write on it and point to parts for explanation or clarification. The White Boards are also maintained in an archive online that the students can re-visit for review if they like. Here are some white boards of last years: Here is a White board over part of the chapter on color and light. Here is another on the nature of the atom Other Class activities: Here is a sample Lab activity. Here is a sample quiz game to drill material over a chapter. Here is a sample work book page and here is a sample quiz. Some questions are auto-graded, long answer are individually graded. The students must submit work on time and grades go into an online grade book that is always there for them and their parents. They know exact assignments and due dates. When students say they have turned something in, parents can check. There is also premium online course content provided by the publisher for use with the text book: online macromedia flash interactive tutorials, and movie clips for illustrating interesting or complex concepts. Access to this is free for enrolled students. |
|
“Science is the organized knowledge of God’s creation.” Sr. Mary Matthew RSM ~a beloved science teacher from my grade school and high school years. |
