Digital Time Capsule A Look into the Students

Digital Time Capsule: A Look into the Student’s Perspective Of Digital Learning Megan Nielsen Monmouth University Introduction Site: Amerigo A. Anastasia Elementary School in Long Branch, New Jersey Results Job Title: Impact on Site: Clinical Experience After students submitted their responses; teachers were able to look at responses and were touched by the sentiments the students has written. Some students opened up about their thoughts on the good and the bad aspects of digital learning, which opened the eyes of their teachers. Teachers were given the insight into what their students were enjoying, struggling with and general thoughts their students were having. Students were able to put their thoughts into words, and it was noticed that some students felt more comfortable putting these thoughts into writing rather than telling their teachers and parents. Students were able to expel the emotions they may have been feeling since the start of digital learning. This project acted as a way for them to let go of these feelings and tell their peers and teachers how they are actually feeling. Description of General Project: Students enrolled in the class “Foundations of Special Education Across the Lifespan” (EDS-330) are expected to create and complete a “Service Learning Project”; one in which will provide knowledge to not only the students but the community at hand as well. In this case, the project created was entitled “A Digital Time Capsule”. In this digital time capsule, students were able to input their personal opinions and experiences regarding Digital Learning. Student Participant’s Role: Within the duration of the Service Learning Project students are meant to be active participants in the completion of the project. Within this experience, two classes of fifth grade students in a ”Self Contained Learning Disabled Classroom”. Students participating within this project were asked to complete a list of several prompts. These prompts were designed to allow students to provide insight into their experiences with Digital Learning within the past year. Clinical Experience Student’s Role: The role of the clinical experience student is one that is meant to guide the elementary students to encourage meaningful and thought out responses to the prompts assigned. Clinical experience students are meant to provide creation of prompts, design of time capsule as well as general feedback and assistance within the classroom. Goals Of Service Learning Goal Of Service Learning Project Product: Creating a digital time capsule has the intent to create a place to recall and remember this time of digital learning and also to make the students aware of how important, special and unique of a time they are currently living in. The creation of this time capsule will provide a unique look into the minds of students who are currently adjusting to digital learning and their personal thoughts about the “new normal” of school. Impact to the Community: The digital time capsule is meant to provide the school’s teachers, students and the surrounding community with a peek into the new experiences that current students are undergoing. Currently many speculations and criticism in terms of people outside of the classroom judging what is taking place in schools during this time. By having a place where the students’ communities can see a peek into not only the efforts being put in by the teachers but also by the true thoughts of the students. What was Learned? : EDS 330 is a class which is meant to further understanding not only students with special needs but also the student population as a whole. Seeing how far education has come in order to cerate a meaningful experience for students, is an important aspect of the School of Education now more than ever. Student responses will enable the community to learn, grow and appreciate the learning that is taking place during this different and difficult time in education. The digital time capsule has shown the students, teachers as well as the participating clinical students that education remains to be a very personal experience for students. During this time of screens and technology; this project allows for the reconnection of this thought.