COVID-19 forced Keriann Wilmot’s son to trade his classroom for a computer. It was a tough transition for a 10-year-old with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADHD students tend to struggle more with remote learning. “It was a different environment for him,” Wilmot says. “He wasn’t used to this kind of work from school coming in the format of an email in his Chromebook every single day.” Her son would avoid math and writing and instead…
Procrastination is the bane of every student’s existence–we know what we have to do, but sometimes we can’t seem to make ourselves do it. It’s easy to put off assignments until the night before, but then three cups of coffee later we’re exhausted, frustrated, and turning in an assignment that hardly showcases our best work. Here are 10 tips to beat procrastination and get yourself out of that cycle. 1. Get organized. You can’t do…
As we’ve discussed previously, cheating is a concern even with online learning. Technology is an essential tool for the modern classroom, but with technology comes many more ways for students to take advantage of the system, especially since students can know more about the technology they are using than their teachers. For many, it is hard to envision a scenario where students complete online exams without using their smartphones, tablets, and other devices to look…
Studying is a part of every student’s school experience, but it doesn’t have to be done alone. In fact, studies show that students benefit greatly from participating in study groups with their peers. There’s all sorts of research documenting how students can learn from each other, but that learning doesn’t happen automatically, and some worry that it’s not likely to occur in a study group where there’s no supervision and distractions abound. Recent findings should…
I don’t know about you, but autumn is my absolute favorite season. The air gets crisper, leaves put on a colorful display, and I breathe easier knowing all the heat and humidity is behind us (and as an asthmatic, I mean that both figuratively and literally). Even though we need to take certain precautions right now, that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy our favorite autumn activities. Here is a list of 15 safe autumn…
It’s time for an update on Massachusetts schools reopening in the time of COVID-19. Here’s what’s happening in schools across the state. ARLINGTON Sept 2020: A staff member at Pierce Elementary School tested positive. The school delayed the start of in-person learning and began classes remotely instead. ATTLEBORO Sept 2020: About 30 students and staffers at Attleboro High School were told to quarantine after a student who had COVID-19 entered the school. DEDHAM Sept 2020:…
Students always have questions, but they rarely ask them, especially at the beginning of the year. They might feel awkward or embarrassed to ask questions, or perhaps it’s just inertia. Whatever the cause, the vast majority of student questions go unasked, and for teachers this can be wildly frustrating. Teachers can’t answer the questions students don’t ask, and in many cases, the unasked questions represent anxieties and uncertainties that negatively affect students’ performance in class…
Deciding whether to allow students to listen to music in the classroom is a modern teacher’s dilemma. Every single time students need to write an essay or work on a problem, they say, “Can I put my headphones on? I think better that way!” But is that really true? Does music help or hinder concentration? Let’s take a look at the thoughts of three different high school teachers and their takes on letting students listen…
According to folks who spend a lot of time hosting web meetings, there doesn’t seem to be any gray area–it can be either incredibly rewarding, or endlessly frustrating. As technology improves, web conferencing applications enable hosts to extend the benefits of live classroom interaction into online spaces, while also allowing students to meet together online as they collaborate and grow in their knowledge and skills. When it all comes together, it’s a beautiful thing–but web…
Your classes may now be virtual. You’re probably stuck at home, where you’re missing friends and finding studying difficult. Your family might have lost funding or jobs. Whether you’re in grade school or college, you’re probably feeling anxious, sad, and uncertain. These feelings are normal, and there are ways to lessen student stress. 1. Practice self-care. Basic self-care will keep your immune system strong and your emotional reserves full. Get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and…
