Unforeseen challenges have arisen in educating students through remote learning.
Unforeseen challenges have arisen in educating students through remote learning.
Schools in the Johnson City area are dealing with unforeseen challenges in educating students through distance learning.
On March 31, schools were told that remote instruction for students would be necessary until schools reopen. A stay-at-home order was issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker through April 30.
The expectations for students have changed and much of the materials that went home with students focuses on a review of previously learned material, according to the Daily Republican News.
“Typically, as a teacher, you’re looking for mastery. Right now, we’re focusing on growth,” Johnson City CUSD 1 Superintendent Kathy Clark told the Daily Republican News.
While no student in the district will fail, teachers do expect students to engage in the work. Students will earn grades of “pass” or “incomplete,” partly based on how they interact with the work they are sent home.
The district is working on determining how students and teachers will communicate too. Communication via email and by phone are the methods they’re exploring.
In addition, teachers are learning how to use videoconferencing to deliver their instruction. For example, Principal Andria Murrah a day teaching her staff to use Google hangouts, and doing it remotely.
“We spent the weekend going back and forth on everything,” Murrah told the Daily Republican News.
The district is also delivering both meals and work packets to students who cannot get to the school to pick those items up. They send out approximately 7,000 meals each Wednesday on buses along specific routes.
Alerts Sign-up