Technology Tuesday presents DROPBOX !

I love genius!   Really, Dropbox has been around for awhile; however, I had tunnel vision on it's uses, thinking it was mostly a way for businesses to share on the "cloud."  Lately, I've been more appreciative of it's benefits to an ordinary human like me! AND, it just might be what you're looking for you too!   My problem was not remembering to bring a flashdrive back and forth to work or worried I would lose the flashdrive, when I needed these precious files (like lesson plans and activities)  in both places.  So for over a year, I would email files back and forth to myself.  This caused a bigger problem, cluttering my email!  I was frustrated, and I knew that my school district just wasn't yet able to assist me with this.

So, when I "restumbled" on Dropbox on my phone, I was elated!   Honestly,
I wasn't sure what took me so long to recognize this incredible tool for it's personal uses.   I'm glad I figured out how it would work for me!   The best part?  You don't have to download software (but sometimes it enables you to do more.) You can share photos and videos AND do it all in the popular social mediums like Twitter and Facebook.  You can automatically upload photographs or videos from camera, tablet, SD card, or smartphone, and you are given 3G.  For small users like me, this is enough storage and assists me with what I need it fore.  But imagine, as I get more into this, and begin sharing photos and video, I just might want to purchase me some bigger storage space.  Who knows?

In addition, I can think of a variety of uses for professional development for those documents that we teachers are constantly working on as teams like math units and lesson plans and other shared documents!   I imagine it's like all the other great technology out there...just waiting for people to take advantage of it.

For now, I'm a happy camper...
Happy technology Tuesday! 

New Running Record App! for Tech Tuesday (late)

You have to love Teacher Tipster.  First you love his awesome Youtube videos, and now he's making apps!   Have you gone to the Google Playstore and tried the Running Record  Toolbox App?
And yes, there's an android version for folks like me.  It has a WPM  stopwatch!  (for those of us who might lend out their stopwatch and not know where it is) .  The Running Record Calculator allows you to instantly do the math and finish up those records on the spot.  Lastly, it has a symbol Cheat Sheet and an Accuracy Table as quick reference guides.

                       Here is a YouTube video to explain the app more in depth. 

If you haven't had a check out some of Teacher Tipster's other videos, please do.  He has so many handy ideas from classroom management to activities for reading and math.  Mostly of them are simple to create or perform.

Happy record keeping!

The Beginning of my Technology Tuesday

I'm so excited this year to introduce my Technology Tuesday!  I've long been a fan of technology and its many uses.  Now, I want to make sure that I not only use more technology in the classroom, but that I am posting my new finds.  I will try new things and encourage others to try new things.  In addition, I will open things up for comments so I can hear your latest and greatest finds!

In May, several colleagues of mine and I went to the DENapalooza, and it was fabulous.  My only regret was that I didn't get to implement some things right away. While we were there, we had one quick session of exchanging our favorite apps.  What collaboration fun!

So, in honor of my first ever apps, I will introduce my first one.  I found it by pure accident. 
Remind 101.   This app allows the teacher to be better connected to parents with updates and reminders.  Before, I would send a mass email with all my updates for the week, as well as a class newsletter.  However, now that more and more people have smart phones or at least a cell phone, texts are a quicker way to send a reminder.  The teacher sets up a class.  Parents sign up with either a text or an email, and wallah!  We are easily communicating.   Another great perk, is that the teacher's number remains private.   Currently, they are giving away an iPad mini or a t-shirt for enthusiastic teachers.  Good luck!

Here is a link to the DEMO and how it works.  (click the word Demo).  It works on I-phones, Androids and Blackberry!  Enjoy...

What's your favorite app?  Please share with me!

Happy Technology Tuesday to you!