A New Semester

A New Semester:     

The second semester started on Wednesday.  I am teaching two forensic science classes, one advanced forensics class and one biology class.  This year we have a new schedule, classes meet twice every three days.  It has been difficult getting used to not seeing the classes daily.  The biggest challenge is trying to cover the same amount of material that I was able to cover when classes met daily.  It requires some creativity.  I have been pretty successful with my senior forensics and advanced forensics classes.  
 
I am currently enrolled in the IEASC certification program offered by Fresno Pacific University.  I have learned so much about technology in a short period of time.  Some of my success with the forensics classes is the direct result of my applying the technology skills I have learned.  First I built a Weebly website www.msconnorswebsite.com and started to post assignments for each of my classes.  Next I set up a Remind101 account and allowed my students to use their cellphones in class to register to get reminders.  The only issue I had was that a few students did not have cellphones.  Some would not admit it, and I didn't want to embarrass them, so I had to speak to them individually and show them how to register their email account so they could also receive the assignments.  I have had huge success with Remind101.  The students really like getting the reminders and number of students completing their homework consistently has improved exponentially.