The Digital Classroom and Materials
Most of our class materials are digital: Canvas, Schoology, Google Drive, and more. Many of my academic coaching and tutoring students have challenges with their executive functions or learning disabilities. Here is what I see:
- It takes more time to find materials online than opening up a textbook, and some of my students still grapple here. They don’t plan and schedule for the Daily 15 Minute Site Prowl. I spot readings or videos that they don’t check or see.
- They need to write the night’s work down in a logical, prioritized list in one place. This is no longer second nature to digital kids, but they need a visual task list to keep them on track.
On-Line HW, Quizzes, Assignments
Live, timed quizzes in programs like Canvas or Socrative are the norm. Notes are turned-in frequently via One Note. Here is what is happening:
- Quizzes & Tests. Since they have to be completed by a deadline, and sometimes within a time limit, some kids lose points because they don’t finish.
- Grading to Online Gradebook Speed. This is now instant, especially from Canvas tests. A few students missed several and were so overwhelmed by make-ups that they let them go.
- Inadequate and Unclear Notes. Some students aren’t taking enough time to put in detail, connections, and conclusions in One Note.
What I am Telling Parents
- Students have to have a laptop or PC, not just a tablet, nightly. Students need one loaded with the necessary software and downloaded programs.
- More Time has to be spent previewing and planning homework.
- Assignment Sites have to be checked several times a day to get all of the homework and announcements.
- Old School Paper and Pencil organizational aids still have to be used, sometimes more; lists, agenda, calendar, notes.
- A Write-In Agenda and Nightly Task List are still necessary. My students need to have a visual to remind them and keep them on track.
- Scratch Paper for On-Line Quizzes and Tests. Jotting down answers and trying out problems by hand is vital before entering them on a test or for multiple choice. This also slows down the Inaccurate Speeders.