Post 1

Scenario 1:

There are several problems that could occur for students with the new state requirements regarding online class requirements. One of the major problems could be that students could not be ready to take an online class and may need more than a teacher just facilitating learning. Another issue could be the access to technology. The school and/or the students could not have access to the necessary technology. It would very quickly create more of a gap with the graduation rates from high SES schools and low SES schools. Another challenge that could occur is the lack of technology experience, both from the students or teachers. Many schools do not teach basic computer skills because they feel the students come to school knowing them now. Much of the time this is not the case. Students often struggle with the practical skills when it comes to computers. On the other side, some teachers may not have the skills or feel comfortable with the technology needed to complete the state requirements. If this is the case, technology becomes nothing more than a video without discussion.

Scenario 2:

Independence: As the school year continues the teacher can start to take a back seat to the inquiry questions that students have. Instead the teacher can encourage the students to find the answers themselves.

Self-motivation: Find topics that the students can relate to and are interested. If it is a research project, they are more likely to be interested in it if it is something they like.

Self-Regulation: During an extended project, the teacher should encourage the students to set their own deadlines so they aren’t rushing at the end to get it all done.

Time management: Setting deadlines with negative consequences and being consistent with the consequences. When the students are first learning about deadlines, it is important to be consistent with reminding them of upcoming deadlines and encouraging them to use a planner.

Scenario 3:

My school focuses on teaching the students the skills needed to use a computer and also teaching the soft skills needed for online learning. The students that I deal with most are 6^th graders, so this is the first year that the students are changing classrooms every hour and the first year that they experience letter grades. I am not 100% sure what the school could do to increase the students’ access to technology. This is my first year at the school and I am still learning the curriculum. I do know they are pushing using technology in all classes, but aren’t giving clear guidelines to teachers about what that should look like. Some guidelines and expectations would be nice for the teachers.