JEHS chemistry teachers utilizes technology to enhance remote instruction

Jordan-Elbridge High School chemistry teacher Katie Knowlton recently brought a large T.V. into her classroom to use as a monitor when she teaches remotely. The monitor allows her to see as many as 38 students on the screen at the same time.

Her setup also includes a document camera and a webcam so that she can teach using her Promethean board (an interactive whiteboard that allows teachers to project an image from a computer). She said there’s only so much she can convey using a shared screen from her laptop, so the setup helps.

Knowlton teaches four sections of Regents chemistry and one section of introduction to chemistry. She teaches about 47 students overall.

She thinks the biggest benefit of remote learning is that it has made a lot of students realize how much they actually enjoy coming to school every day.

“While remote learning definitely has its challenges, it has made our students more technologically savvy than even before, as well as showed them that even when we can’t be together in the classroom, we can still connect and interact with each other,” she said.

She said new technology definitely helps enhance instruction for her students. When Jordan-Elbridge went remote in the spring, she taught remotely from a small area in her apartment and wanted to change thing up.

“It’s hard to imagine teaching the way I was before,” she said. “Thank goodness for Amazon Prime.”

Principal Mark Schermerhorn praised Knowlton, and says she is modifying her delivery of instruction based on the current reality.

He said remote learning success for teachers involves having clear expectations and learning targets for students. For students, he said it is essential to establish a routine and organize your schedule.

“If there is any silver lining to remote learning, it is teaching our students how to be independent and hold themselves accountable for completing their daily school tasks,” he said.

“Also, learning different instructional technology programs will certainly help them navigate through college.”