My INSPIRATION for my study is simple: HOW are my students doing during Distance Learning? Are they WELL? Are they LEARNING? HOW CAN I HELP?
Responses from students when asked, “what they have enjoyed and found rewardingduring distance learning and what has been challenging during distance learning”.
“I have liked extra time in the day to work on school or other things at my own pace. It's been hard to connect with my teachers and classmates I don't know personally.”
“It’s hard because I miss my life at school and my friends.. it’s hard because I want my mom to be my mom and my dad to be my dad and they have to teach me everything every day and it’s stressful for them”
“I felt that there was more help on my school work at home from my parents. That It is harder to do *mlb at home then at school and I want to see my friends.”
“I like the times that I see my friends in school and my now teacher. I do not like not seeing my best friend. I get so mad at my brother wen he disteras me.”
“The thing that has been rewording is turning in my school work on time and getting a good score. The thing that has been challenging are the big projects like the essays and the books we read but I do get them done.”
“The time that we have to wake up. Getting to sleep in a bit longer is nice. Science has been challenging also i don't like working on a computer. I would prefer doing my school work on paper with friends nearby.”
“I enjoy going into breakout rooms to see my friends on Zoom. and I like going for walks with my friends at the park. Zoom sometimes gives me a headache.” “Most rewarding is the iXL. Most challenging is Remembering the times for the Zoom links making sure the Zoom links work.”
ABSTRACT from my research paper: The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 changed our world and our entire education system. Very real issues arose with regard to equity in the virtual classroom and how to best serve students with mild/moderate disabilities, who are already at a disadvantage when tackling grade level academics. Students struggled with accessing digital tools and trying to make sense of their emotions during quarantine. This study focused on the connection between well-being and learning for students with mild/moderate disabilities during distance learning. The study design was guided by 4 topics: comparing data from a 10 month in person learning period to the recent 10 month period during distance learning, conducting and gleaning information form a wellness survey given to students, adding activities to Zoom sessions in an attempt to increase student ease and well-being, and examining the digital tool iXL. This study found that there was a regression of 27% in IEP goals. 66% of students said they feel safe, happy, and loved while 18% said they frequently felt angry, frustrated, and worried. iXL, although rich in data, is poor in accommodating students with disabilities. Lastly, students were observed to be more at ease and more engaged in distance learning Zoom sessions when activities such as checking in, sharing stories, sharing their pets, and breathing and stretching, were part of the session. My research paper in its entirety can be found on my Research page.
Click HERE to see my BLOGS from 701 and 790. Click HERE to see my BLOGS from 791 and 702.