Hello, all. My name is Jessica Tipton. I am a 7th grade math teacher at WBMS, and I have fallen in love with Web 2.0. I am the newest self-proclaimed computer geek at our school. This is my 6th year of teaching. I spent two years teaching in Newton County: one as a 6th grade science teacher (when it was still physical science) and one as a 6th grade math teacher (the year that GPS rolled out). My first two years in Barrow County were in 6th grade math and I didn't think I would ever leave my 6th grade babies. Since then, I have taught 7th grade math and love the 7th graders even more. I have been the professional learning coordinator for our school for the past two years. This year I am one of the co-coordinators for Classworks at our school, I am tutoring 3 mornings a week (1 for the WBMS Archery Team and 2 for a student), and I am determined to write at least one grant this year. That was my goal last year, but I didn't make it.
I have a husband, Lance, who is a police officer, and two children. My daughter Anna Marie will be 7 in April and is in first grade at YES. My son Landon will be 3 in November and goes to daycare near our home. We also have two crazy cats. Well...one is normal, that 's Dora (the calm well behaved cat). Then there's Riley. He is a stray kitten that was brought home by my husband from a Clark County Fire Department. Riley gets into everything. I think I have to correct that cat more than both children combined. He is a thief who loves straws and q-tips. I find the most random things moved around my house that have been moved by Riley.
Finally, I love Web 2.0! I took a 1 day class of Caroline's and then took the first 23 Things course she offered. I couldn't wait to do each "Thing" and was normally the first person to do each one. I am also utilizing Web 2.0 in my classroom. I have a class assignments blog, a class wiki, and use a lot of free programs with my students. This year, I am in the process of creating ePal accounts for all of my students. ePals is a company that makes it possible for teachers to create email accounts and blogs for all of my students...and keep a handle on all of them to make sure everything being typed is appropriate.
One final note: If you think your students or kids can't do something on a computer, they have probably already done it. They are growing up in this world of Web 2.0. I don't know what to equate it to for our generation, but they know all about it.
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I am so excited to hear you've started class assignment blogs, a class wiki, and soon ePals.
ReplyDeleteDo students or parents respond to your blog? Do they write back with questions or thoughts? Also how do you use your class wiki? I'd like to get the inside scoop. I guess all students are members. When do they access the wiki: at school in the computer lab or at home or both?
Maybe together and with Phyllis's help too, we can revolutionize WBMS's notebook system.
Looking forward to the rest of the class. I think I'm addicted already. How will I ever manage Google Reader?