Meet Digital Learning Leader Dr. Jennifer Wheat Townsend

Dr. Jennifer Wheat Townsend

Executive Director of Learning

This is Dr. Townsend's 8th year with Noblesville Schools.

Share a technology memory from when you were PreK-12 school age
I would rush upstairs after I got home from school to play on my ColecoVision (yes that dates me)! My fav games were Donkey Kong Jr, Frogger, and Decathlon!

eBooks or printed books
I love both! I prefer print books when I'm at home but love the convenience of eBooks for travel (though not a lot of that has happened the past two years). I am also a huge audiobooks fan - my morning ride typically consists of listening to an audiobook yet my way home is music so I can decompress.

Favorite app for listening to music

iTunes and Pandora

Favorite streaming service
Hulu and Netflix

Favorite accounts to follow on Twitter
Love following Noblesville educators on Twitter!

Funny Google Meet or Zoom mishap since the beginning of the pandemic
There are many but just the other day I was presenting on zoom and Siri (on my phone) must have thought I asked for directions to my house because she started talking and shared my address with everyone. I then had trouble finding the red end button that I always use because I was flustered.

Advice for new teachers or teachers wanting to gain confidence teaching with technology
Choose one tech tool at a time and take your time. You want a few strong "go to" tools to use in the classroom that you know well and that become routine for students. More is not better. The next new thing is not better. Find what works for you that helps enhance learning in the classroom.

Advice for teachers making eLearning Day plans
Keep it simple, include a schedule for the day, and have a balance of online and offline activities. Also- work with your team/colleagues for ideas and to share planning responsibilities.

Favorite Canvas feature or tip or trick
I appreciate the accessibility checker in Canvas. It is so important that everyone can access the content we provide. I was working on a page the other day and noticed it popped up automatically and I could make changes right away.