Creator

“Technology alone will not improve education, but it can be a powerful part of the solution.”

~ Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google

Coming Soon

To a Bookstore Near You . . .

The Witching Tree

I am currently in the process of editing my first novel, The Witching Tree, a supernatural tale set in Bristol, Tennessee. During a summer stay with her great aunt, a young girl discovers the magic that exists in us all: "Magic, at its core, is just manipulation--magic, spells, witchcraft, sorcery just sound a lot sexier than deceit, lies, prevarication, and forgery. But it's just a different side of the same coin."

Stay tuned for publication details!

A Classroom

Bitmoji Classroom: #JDITRT Style

The Beginning

As a classroom teacher for over 20 years, I have developed a fascination with integrating technology effectively in my own daily instruction. And the more I grew and expanded this aspect of my personal teaching experience, the more I realized how much I loved teaching both students and other teachers how to use technology. In fact, I love it as much as I love teaching my original content area of writing and literature.

And so, I evolved into an Instructional Technology Resource Teacher, an ITRT. Or as my colleagues at John S. Battle High School like to call me #JDITRT.

At the start of the 2020-2021 school year, I began incorporating Bitmoji classrooms into my instruction. I primarily used them (and continue to do so) for daily classroom announcements. At the start of class, I project the Bitmoji Classroom of the Month, usually based on seasons or holidays happening in that month, on the white board as a published Google Slide Deck. To see a current example from March 2022, click here. This was particularly helpful with hybrid instruction, as I could share the screen with virtual students so that they saw the same thing as in-person students at the start of the period.

I created my own Bitmoji classrooms with the help of Katherine Panczner's Bitmoji Classroom Tutorial, Nikki Katz's "Teachers Are Creating Virtual Bitmoji Classrooms," and the Creative High School English Facebook group (#creativeteacherlife). Then, I began exploring the amazing FREE classrooms of @bitmoji.kayla (currently not available) and @bitmoji.becca on Linktree. These ladies (and many more fabulous educators; seriously, do a quick Google search) have all types of classrooms that can be adapted for your needs.

Current Projects

This school year, I wanted to expand my use of the Bitmoji classroom by integrating it into my Schoology course. I created an interactive classroom (pictured above) that serves as a Single Sign-On (SSO portal) for my Dual Enrollment English 12 class. Here, they can easily access the different LMS platforms we use, as well as key sites and apps. To learn how to do this, as well as other cool ways to use Bitmojis in Schoology, watch the video below.

A Toolbox (for Building a Toolbox)

30 Extensions in 30 Minutes

I developed this Google Site to serve in conjunction with my workshop on using Google Chrome Extensions to further classroom instruction.

#PottyPD

Thank you to Tara Martin, educator and author, who created #PottyPD as a way to reach fellow teachers in her building because, as she put it, "Everyone has to go the potty at some point, right?"

Following the guidelines outlined in Martin's blog, I began to create monthly newsletters to post in faculty bathrooms throughout JSBHS and WMS. And I received very positive feedback from faculty and staff on this new addition to our schools' restroom experience.

Get Hyped about #HyperDocs

This #HyperDoc was designed to be part of my Tech Splash 2020 workshop on utilizing the HyperDoc concept in the classroom. However, due to covid-19 regulations, this conference was canceled. But I do plan to present aspects of this workshop virtually this summer for Washington County Schools July 2020 in-service activities.

Surfing the #WakeletWave

Through a Sea of Remote Learning Resources

Surf's up with the #WakeletWave

Wakelet is a great online platform that integrates with Google Education Apps to help in everything from research and documentation to portfolio creation to HyperDocs. “Surfing the #WakeletWave allows you to visually curate your thoughts and create ‘Collections’ to showcase your work,” according to Google Innovator and Trainer (and fellow Wakelet “surfer” Hollie Sisk).

Please check out some of my Wakelet collections below; I have curated each of these collections to help my fellow educators successfully navigate the flood of online/remote learning resources available. And feel free to follow me on Wakelet: @JenniferDaniel627.

How to Zoom

Flipgrid

Fav Audio/Visual Sites

The Basics Don't Have to Be Basic

Learn the basics of Google Classroom through my four-part tutorial series.

Not "Techie" and Now Expected to #WFH?

Don't stress! As one of my students wrote over the course of this quarantine, we all have to learn to give ourselves "a little grace." And then we can find what we need to jump back into those online platforms and be successful. Check out my four-part series on the basics of Google Classroom to get started. Topics covered include how to create assignments, as well as a look at a sample student site.

Google Classroom Basics: PART I.webm

Part I

Google Classroom Basics: PART II.webm

Part II

Google Classroom Basics: PART III.webm

Part III

Google Classroom Basics: PART IV.webm

Part IV

Creation Beyond the Classroom

Graphic Designer

In the summer of 2019, in addition to serving as the assistant editor, I also became the graphic designer for Emory & Henry College's scholarly journal, which publishes the proceedings of the annual Emory & Henry Literary Festival. To date, I have designed both of the recently released editions: the Karen McElmurray Issue (Fall 2018) and the Jim Minick Issue (Fall 2019). And I am currently working on beginning the design work for the Crystal Wilkinson Issue, as well as the Lynn Powell Issue.

Report abuse