-Meaningful Monday: Lesson introduction and some notes.
-Tech Tuesday: Computer lab or laptops to watch simulations, create videos, research...
-Wild Wednesday: Performed labs, watched demonstrations, did wacky stuff.
-Thoughtful Thursday: Discussions and review of the week, quiz preparation.
-Fun Friday: Take a quiz, spend the rest of class playing games based on the weekly topic.
There were days built into the schedule for movement, discussion, play, but also quiet work. There were some classes where students came after class and thanked me for allowing them to move around a little bit (I guess they didn't move around much in other classes). There were other students that thanked me for allowing them to work quietly and not have to move around (they preferred peace and quiet while they learned).
The point is that both types of learning are needed, and there are certain students that thrive on movement and outspokenness, while others need quiet contemplation and a soft way to express their ideas.
In the last week or so we've shown you how to set up your Gmail/Email and Google Calendar for students. This way students can turn in digital assignment through email and your inbox will keep it organized. Also, setting up Google Calendar will allow you to set up a calendar for each student so you can plan in-class conferences and pass out assignment due dates in a personalized manner.
Today we'll go even further will Google Chat (also known as Google Talk). Google Chat/Talk allows you to talk via text or video calling.
When building the above weekly schedule into our Science classroom, we had days for quiet work. On these days you could also incorporate laptops or a computer lab visit and ask students to use Google Chat to ask you or other students questions about assignments.
It takes some time to build routines and trust with your students before trying something like this, but when you get it right the results are amazing. Students ask questions they never would have because they feel comfortable asking them quietly. The students who are usually reluctant to raise they're hand in class are suddenly engaged in great conversation. Even students who typically goof off in front of the class will surprise you because the chat is personalized so that no other student can judge the question or conversation.
There have been conferences and online seminars where participants who are not physically present are able to attend online through Twitter. Often, there's a media lounge where television screens have a live Twitter feed connected to them showing all the conversations going on around the event. If possible, having some conversations with students projected on the board or set up through a television (with student permission) can be a huge benefit in a situation like this.
I would also recommend music. Playing some light classical or mood music that the students approve of, can create such a great environment for learning. There have been some periods in the classroom where all students are engaged in learning, lots of conversations are going on at one time, and no one has to say a word. At the end of the class, both the students that thrive on movement and the ones that enjoy quiet contemplation come up and thank me for a great class. Some even remark that they can't believe class is already over.
Along with Gmail/Email for students and Google calendar, consider utilizing Google Chat with your students. For a quick overview of how it works, watch this: