What are the best ways to engage middle and/or high school students with physics content in an e-learning format?

[Melissa Chessler]

What are the best ways to engage middle and/or high school students with physics content in an e-learning format?

[Matthew Reischer]

When I have Zoom classes I still try to have students collaborate to answer conceptual questions.

Just as in class, it is hard to get some to speak out.

I tell students, "I am muting myself now so you can discuss this question among yourselves and come up with a response."

I have found that if I don't mute myself, they seem to wait for me to answer as if I had asked a rhetorical question.

This makes it clear to them that it is THEIR turn.

If I have enough students online, I use the Zoom "Breakout Rooms" feature and put them into small groups to collaborate.

I can then "visit" each room in turn, just as if I was circulating through the classroom and they are working in groups.

How to use Zoom Breakout Rooms - Tutorial for Beginners - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNCrdSnnqiU

[CarriEve Horna]

I find that making my own videos helps, as well as having students submit their notes in as an assignment. I paid for a year subscription of Screencast-o matic and its awesome. I can edit my videos and do whatever I need to do in order to make them as entertaining/educational as possible. I think making your own videos (if you can and feel comfortable doing so) also reminds the kids that YOU are still there, even if its behind a computer screen. As for the assignment, it makes the kids accountable, allowing you to see if they picked up on the important portions of the video.

On Monday, June 1, 2020 at 8:22:29 PM UTC-4, Melissa Chessler wrote: