Yesterday was our first day of classes at APRS in Nalgonda. The journey to the school was exhausting, but meeting the students was invigorating. Even though several of the students were absent because they had not yet returned from the extended holiday, our first session was full of energy.

From the outset, it seemed that the students were well aware of the difference between this class and their others. While it might have been a result of the superficial distinctions between Danny and I and the other teachers at the school, I was pleasantly surprised with the attitude and creative mindset with which the students seemed to be arriving in the classroom.

One of the first exercises was for students to identify five images that they would want to photograph. It took some nudging for students to get specific about their images, but we ended the exercise with some really detailed landscapes and wildlife scenes. Rabbits and rats at the verge of death were a popular selection!

Additionally, Danny and I both shared examples of digital stories, which helped them get to know us a little bit better. Here is my short powerpoint, which illustrates the use of text and relevant images in telling a digital story.Example of a Digital Story

This first glimpse at our teaching assignment reinforced to me the challenge inherent in this project. Our students are bright and attentive, but there are significant barriers in communication and learning styles that must be overcome. Although we tried to explain exercises carefully, we were not entirely sure how much we were actually understood. Perhaps this will just take time!

We’re off to Nalgonda again tomorrow for the second day!