[Icvv] Hello to all. My name is Katrina Hinson. I am an ABE/GED/AHS and ESL teacher in Kinston, North Carol

[Katrina Hinson]

Hello to all. My name is Katrina Hinson. I am an ABE/GED/AHS and ESL
teacher in Kinston, North Carolina, USA. I teach in a lab setting and I
have "Basic Skills" students who are working either on their Adult High
School Diploma or on their GED. My students range in age from 17-60,
single parents, retired persons, dislocated workers etc. I have a unique
mix. I have a few students who are also Advanced ESL students who are
working on improving their writing and speaking in addition to attaining
their GED. My Adult High School students are taking classes on
everything from Earth Science to British Literature.

I am interested in the virtual class project because I think it's a
great way to bring the world into my classroom and to take my students
out into the world. I participated in this project last year and I've
learned a lot from that adventure.

I am looking to be able to exchange emails with a class to help my
students work on their communication skills. I would like to be able to
discuss everyday topics that our students face - to help them realize
they are not alone. I would also like to be able to discuss books and or
movies that we've read/watched in class. Last year was my first year
participating and we had our ups and downs. I've learned a lot about how
 to make this work best I think ( I hope). I'd like to see the students
really dialogue back and forth as well as myself and the other
instructor. I'd like to learn about another culture even if it's
internal to the US - although, having a pen pal from another country
would be very nice too. Some of my students will never be able to travel
outside the US....and a virtual class exchange might be their only
invitation/exposure to other cultures/peoples outside their own
neighborhoods. 

*  why you are interested in the classroom/school virtual visit
project
*  who your students are
*  where you are located (country and city/town)
*  what kind of students you are looking for (if adults, what level 

of English or other skills,  or if kids, what grade level and level  
of English skills) and
*  if you know,  what you hope to do this year:
	*  have students exchange email
	*  discuss a movie both classes have watched or a book they
have  
both read
	*  describe their class/school and community
	*  discuss a certain topic of interest, or
* something else.

If you have participated in the past, in your introduction tell us  
what some of the highlights and  challenges were.


Regards,

Katrina L. Hinson