Digital Technology plays a very important role in my class, although not as big as I want it to. To begin with the constrains China blocks access to almost all blog sites, all non-Chinese social media such as twitter, Facebook etc., several other sites such as BBC news and Google. People can still access those sites with the use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) most of the time. Since I cannot expect all the students to have a VPN service, it limits what sites, and services I can use in the class.
Having said all that I still use digital technology. My school uses Powerschool Learning Management System (LMS) formerly Haiku, and I am utilizing that as a communication way to my students and also to try to implement blended learning.
I am using the LMS to upload videos, documents, quizzes, challenges, and the students use them to enhance their learning. Initially I was using it to upload information that complimented what we were doing in the class for the students to use at home. For example, I uploaded videos that with the use of visuals can explain in greater detail and clarity the content. That also helped with ELL students, that require longer time to fully understand. Recently I am using it in a way that duplicates HyperDocs. “HyperDocs, a transformative, interactive Google Doc replacing the worksheet method of delivering instruction, is the ultimate change agent in the blended learning classroom. (Highfill, Hilton, & Landis,2018). You can find HyperDoc samples on their site. With the LMS I am using, I can replicate the function of Google Doc and create digital packages that allow me to differentiate instructions and content, and use classroom time to create better learning experience. For example, after students study the structure and functions of the cell and organelles, we can have activities to fully understand the relationship between structure and function. With HyperDocs I can direct students to study the structure and function at home, before we have the experiential activities in the class. And on top of that I can ask students to choose how they want to study the content. I can provide them with online videos, documents, simulations, etc., and it will be up to them to decide the best way for them to learn it. Additionally, that allows differentiation for ELL students or with now previous knowledge to spend as much time and in any way they need to learn the material.
Highfill, L., Hilton, K., & Landis, S. (Eds.). (2018). About HyperDocs. Retrieved January 30, 2020, from https://hyperdocs.co/about_hyperdocs
Stories of a Biology teacher 