"Green Chemistry" More Than a Classroom Lesson –II

Cell Phones at School!!! 💣👊💤💔👀👋👎👏

It raises the eyebrow of everyone, even the baggers! 

 

Nevertheless, I want to try something different this "Covid Year". I have shared my plan to teach "Green Chemistry" to two sections of grade nine using cell phones and Internet things. Initially, it created a bit of commotion and hiccups amongst the students –"mobile phone in the classroom!!!"👅, forget about others. Things became clear and okay after I convinced them thoroughly about my plan for the new chapter. We settled well and agreed upon a way forward plan of action. I could hear and feel happy moods already filling up around the corners. I could clearly see much excitement and energy already in their mood. 

 

Then comes the actual day in the next 24 hours. Everyone I informed had come with the cell phones and handed over their phones to me so politely in the early morning. I could see them with completely different moods, overjoyed and excited to ride over the topics. They were ready to explore by themselves. It was the second period, my turn to take them with chemistry lessons after a heavy math class. I went with all their phones. Their eyes were high and bright. And they seem more happy and content.

 

Before I proceeded with my plan for the day, I shared with them the two sides (advantages and disadvantages) of the cell phones. Most of them were already aware of its impact. But, we can't forgo technology things and Internet things in this era. Mobile phones and Internet things have become a very important part of daily lives. All we need is, we need to use them more responsibly and safely. 

 

With caution, I have handed over their cell phones for the class activities. We explored the assigned activities together. We watched video clips in pairs on the assigned topics. They have thoroughly enjoyed the video lessons in their partners. They have answered all the questions assigned to them. Like never before, I could see everyone extraordinarily active, attentive, lively and engaged throughout the period. Like no other period, I saw even the daydreamer and idle students taking up the class activity very sincerely with different charm and everyone has cooperated so well till the very last minutes. Altogether, I have become a very different chemistry teacher at least for the period. Furthermore, we have also chanced up to share some values, sharing, fun time, bonding, living with the Internet thing, screen, civic sense, lifelong learning, patience, Internet glitches and many more underlying issues. 

 

Altogether, we have never felt chemistry would be this charming, fun and easy to learn. 

 

At the end of the period, without any direction, they switched off their phones and handed over to me, so politely and obediently. We need to give them more chances to explore and live their own life. What a beautiful chemistry class I had?

 

..........to be continued!!!