Standard #8: Instructional Strategies

The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to

encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and
their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful
ways.

Narrative:
During my student teaching, because
of Covid-19 we had the first 6 six
weeks of school remotely. I had to
figure out a way to convert a lab that
would have to be done in class to a
virtual lab. This lab consisted of 8
different lab stations that modeled
specific gas law characteristics. The
students work together in each lab
and draw a particle drawing of the
gas molecules in the demonstration.
Being able to have a detailed model
demonstrates the students
understanding of the topic. I
converted the lab into a powerpoint
consisting of videos of each lab and
with links to Google Drawings where
the students could make their particle
drawings. I modeled the first lab to
show the students what was
expected. The students were able to
work collaboratively on the drawings
in small breakout groups over Zoom.
Reflection:
I thought this was a good way for the
lab to be converted to an online
assignment. It gave the students the
opportunity to work collaboratively as
well as make comments on other
groups' diagrams. If the students are
able to make good suggestions on
other group’s drawings, it
demonstrates that they are
understanding what needs to be
shown. I could see an improvement
on each particle drawing as the lab
went on. It is important to be able to
adapt as a teacher and use different
learning strategies, when the time
calls for it. This can help the students
to develop a deeper understanding of
the content by trying new strategies
out.