Knowing your students…

Lately I am struggling a little bit with my Collaborative Project. Students are to create a Digital Story using two different tools, BUT before they can begin using the tools they need to submit their written story to be approve by Kayla and I.

As I do not know these students and their abilities some of their stories are baffling to me. I am shocked at some of the grammar, spelling, and lack of structure (introduction, climax, conclusion) of their story submissions. While some are impeccable, and better than I could have written. I realize the varying levels of ability is common in the classroom today, it is still difficult as I do not know these students.

Perhaps the ones that are struggling are EAL students, or attend a Learning Tutorial in addition to regular classes. I do not know. While I can, and will ask about some students to the cooperating teacher it is still frustrating as I do not know these students, and understand what supports they require from me to be succesful.

For me this is a peril of online teaching and learning. As I am very much a people person, and like to have a face to face interaction to gage where my learners are at this experience is new to me, and a bit of a learning curve.