When I checked in for the day, the school's secretary didn't hand me the usual paperwork. Usually I get a temporary log in for the school's attendance system.
I was informed that the internet was out.
Nowadays, the majority of the students' work is online. Teachers give lecture notes using slides. Assignments are uploaded to Google Classroom where the kiddos can complete and turn in without needing to touch a pencil.
No internet was very bad news. But it would be back on shortly, right?
At least, that's what I figured first period when I explained the day's assignment to the eighth graders. It was U.S. history, and the teacher had copied a paper packet for them to complete. As it was Black History Month, it was a packet on some African-American firsts.
Unfortunately, they were supposed to use the internet to look up the answers.
But, they had phones. They could look things up using their phones. And they could work together, so those who were without phones could work with someone who had a phone.
Because, the day they actually need their cell phones is the day that some of them don't have them. Naturally.
We did not get internet back that day. I still don't know what knocked it out.
At least the eighth grade assignment wasn't wholly dependent on the computers. Alas, the seventh grade assignment was.
The seventh grade world history class had notes and questions in their Google Classrooms.
Helpfully, the seventh grade classes were "advanced", meaning they're the ones more likely to do the work. And they tried.
There was one kiddo who shared his phone's hotspot with a couple other students, so they worked online. Some of them had Google Classroom on their phones, so they could access the notes that way. But others didn't have any way to access the day's assignments.
I assured them that no internet meant they wouldn't be penalized for not completing the assignment.
The joys of technology. We get dependent on it only for it to fail us. Sigh.
I think I'd have a back up plan if my lesson was 100% dependent upon the internet. I liked that the failed system brought out some collaboration among the students. That's a real positive.
ReplyDeleteCreating a lesson plan and a backup lesson plan is a lot of work. Luckily, no internet is a rare problem.
DeleteWell, there's one argument in favor of letting the students have their phones in class! I remember the old days of my old dial up internet. My mother shared it, and for some reason when she signed in, it disconnected me! It didn't disconnect her when I signed in though. My kids had some online classes, so we had to ask her to not use the internet in the mornings. The computer wasn't near the phone plug, so the cord stretched across the house, hooked to the ceiling! We'd be sunk without internet these days.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, we so would be. The class I'm in today, they all have different assignments. All online. They work at their own pace, so some are way ahead (although most are just kind of staring at the computer, not doing much).
DeleteIt's amazing how dependent we are on the internet. It's kind of sad in a way. We didn't have to worry about not completing assignments or being able to teach when we had text books.
ReplyDeleteWhat's funny is the books aren't gone. The 7th graders had book work. It was just all accessed online. She could have printed the questions out (but then copies cost money...).
DeleteSeems like there's always something to thwart learning. My daughter isn't allowed to have her phone with her in class, so she ends up leaving it in her locker. She would've been one of the ones needing to look on other people's devices. Though, the hotspot is a good idea, since the kids all have laptops now.
ReplyDeleteLockers... If only they had lockers in which to leave their cell phones. But this school got rid of lockers more than 20 years ago, so they all have to carry their day on their backs.
DeleteWell, that's weird, no lockers. Why?
DeleteNo idea. They got rid of the lockers before I was ever at the school.
DeleteTechnology is wonderful…until it fails
ReplyDeleteVery true.
DeleteSomebody probably unplugged the modem because they heard it was supposed to be "wireless".
ReplyDeleteWe rely way to much on the Internet. At least the kids were willing to help each other.
ReplyDeleteWe do, but it does make things easier.
DeleteHow technology has changed our lives.
ReplyDeleteAlso, since all our writings are online now, my handwriting is really bad!
All some outside force would have to do is zap our Internet and this country would come to a screeching halt.
ReplyDeleteI say that all the time! Hit our power grids and we're over.
Deleteinternet and computers are AMAZING, when they work.
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool not to have to worry about passing out papers as they already have a copy of the assignment online. But there's a downside, too.
DeleteSchool is so different. I imagine they go into the work environment with better skills then I.
ReplyDeleteAnd then there are things you think they'd know having always had computers around, and yet, they don't. The gaps are surprising sometimes.
DeleteAhh yes, how dependent we are on technology qhich is great until the power goes out or we are hacked. Sometimes the chalkboard was good to have.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I do prefer the whiteboard with dry erase markers. It's easier to see and way less dusty.
DeleteThe internet has certainly changed our lives.
ReplyDeleteSchool was so different then!