Linked-In

Today I completed a new video that will give you an overview of Linked-In. When I began using the site I will admit that I didn't get it. I felt that the site was over priced and i didn't get the whole picture. Since I began using the site for a few days i have realized that this is an extremaly powerful networking tool for the professional. I really enjoy the recruiting tools for the small business and the networking ability for the user. The feature that allows a business to create an online profile to post news, events, jobs, promotions, etc is great. I like how if I became interested in a company I could interact with current employee before applying. We have all heard the saying "it's not about how much you know but who you know." This site really allows you the power to know more people. Linked-In you have done a great job.

Linked In

I am going to check out Linked-In over the next couple of days.  Right now for me I don't see how Linked-Inwould be helpful.  I am curiuos is other educators are using Linked-In and how they are using it.  I know more and more business people are using Linked-Into recruit and manage thier online portfolio.  I will post notes later, however it is worth noting that i didn't get Facebook or Twitter either.

Reputation Defender

During last nights Social Networking class someone brought up the sight Reputation Defender.  From the site "Reputation Defender is revolutionary service designed just for businesses that combines cutting edge It is proven to increase positive content and actively combat false, misleading or irrelevant Google results for businesses and business owners."  This fee based service starts at $1000 and goes up.  I am curious if you or others you may know use this service or know of one like it?

My To Do list

I am trying to complete the humongous to do list that I crated since the beginning of the school year.  Some of the items include reviews of websites that I have come across or completing some new task's like switching to Google Doc's.  This has been a great school year so far with a lot great feedback from students and blog followers. 

Here is my "To Do" list:

Animoto

Inspiration

Create a "cheat sheet" for language symbols

Tagxedo

How to create a bibliography for images you find in Google image searches

Create another Publisher Video

How to Track Changes in Word 2007

How to create a Folder

What are the function keys and what do they do?

How to use a scanner

Compare documents in Word 2007

What is Google connect?

Awesomescreenshot.com

embedplus.com

typewith.me

titanpad.com

zipcast.com

Polleverwhere.com

remind101.com

studyboost.com

wordlings.com

tagul.com

worditout.com

 

Am I missing something?

Using RSS and Google Reader

Today I posted a video on Youtube on how to create and manage a Google Reader. By using a Reader and RSS feeds you can subscribe to the websites, blogs, twitter accounts, etc that are important to you. This will improve your interenet efficiency. To subscribe to one of my bundles click here for Education or Here for the Mets.

I hope this video helps and as always your comments are welcome.

Readers and RSS

I am currently working on a new how to video for my youtube channel on using RSS feeds and Readers.  Hopefully I will finish it later in the day.  How do you use this powerful and efficient service?  What questions do you have on RSS feeds?

Today my second post in the Edublog Teacher Challange was posted.  I am very excited.  I also would like to use this as a teaching tool.  If you look at my raw post yesterday and compare it to the EduBlog post you can see how using pictures and videos really changes the post and makes it more appealing. 



Using DropBox and DropitTo.me

This is a copy of the second post I made to the Edublog Teachers Challange.  Hope you enjoy

DROPitTO.me quickly became one of my personal success stories this school year. Students enjoy “DROP’ing” their assignments to me, and I enjoy saving the school district money on paper and printer costs. I began to use a DROPbox and DROPitTO.me in my classroom as a way for students to turn in their assignments. These two services work together as a team for students to virtually turn in assignments. I came up with the idea for using these after reading a post on Free Technology for Teachers and wanting to create a greener classroom. As a rule I do not like to use services that are outside of district control. I feel uncomfortable having students enter in a user name and password for a service that the school system has not approved. However I also want students exposed to the latest in technology and apply that technology in a useful way to them. I want the student to say, "Hey I can use this." "This is a tool I can use." DROPbox is one of these services.


Think of the DROPbox as a folder on your computer’s hard drive. The difference with this folder is that you can access the information from any internet device. My Smartphone has an application where I can access anything in my DROPbox account. By integrating DROPitTO.me I receive a personalized URL. I can post or link this URL to my classroom website; all students need to do to turn in their work is enter a secure password and press login. Then they select the file to upload, I receive an email that tells me a new file has been uploaded. I also have the file in my dropbox folder. Now I am able to evaluate the student’s work. This saves time, paper, and other resources. Students are exposed to new technology that they can use and apply. I no longer have to worry about misplaced work or work without a student’s name on it. DROPitTO.me includes the file name, IP address, and file size. I am able to receive any file type, including movies. A real great advantage is collecting work from outside my room. If a student has work at home or another computer in the school, they access my DROPitTO.me site, upload their file and then I have it immediately.

You will need to register and download DROPbox then register for DROPitTO.me. I have received very positive feedback from students who have begun to use this method of turning in work.

Another word of caution when using DROPitTO.me, specify how you want students to name files. I have students save files as their first initial last name and the program and assignment #. For example, if this is our second word assignment the file name for me would be “mrileyw2” This really helps with organization and keeping duplicate file names to a minimum.

I am attaching a video that will show you how to set up your DROPitTO.me account.



How will you use DROPbox?

socialfollowing.com/

I received a friend request on my youtube channel from socialfollowing.com  This person is creating some great resources on how you can really build your brand using twitter.  Check out the videos, website and yes the twitter account.

Thoughts?

Pocket Poem

Today is poem in your Pocket day at school.  This year I am using a verse from Gene Ziegler's "A Child Using Granpa's Computer."  It's a funny poem and love the story behind it and the poem written in response to blatant plagiarism on others.  I can't carry the entire poem with me today so I am only using a verse.  However the entire poem  will be on display on my classroom door for all to read.  Thanks Gene.

Online Survey Tools

I was asked to complete a survey online using zoomerang.  I thought the format was very basic and didn't have much in the way of a background or imagery.  I was comparing my experience against what I have learned using Google forms and surveymonkey.  I can't knock zoomerang but I can blast the person who wrote the survey.  I learned from taking this survey that in my next online survey class I will spend more time on how to write a question.  I will bring in sample questions and explain what makes a good survey.  I had no idea what the person who wrote this survey was asking me.  I basically gave up because it was such a mess. 

Do you have any tips for writing surveys?

Please share.

Teacher Challenge progress

I have been following the Teacher Challange sponsered by Edublogs since the begining of the month.  There have been some really great posts but most of the articles written are on sites that either I already use or that don't apply to me.  I do spend a lot of time reading the comments at the bottome of each article because sometimes the comments will give me a jumpstart on how to apply a selected site. 

How are you following the Teacher Challange?

print screen

Yesterday I reviewed the print screen function with 6th grade students.  I like to tell them that print screen will take a picture of whatever is on the screen at that very moment, then you can paste the image into word or PowerPoint.  Today one of my students had a virus pop up on her computer.  The student used print screen to capture and image of what was happening to the computer so we could save and show the technical administrator.  I was so proud of her for remembering what to do during a quick but stressful moment.  I have had other students use print screen when they are having trouble at home and want or need advice. 

• To use print screen
• Press "Print Screen" above the numbers keypad on the keyboard
• Then open word or PowerPoint
• right click and paste the image
• save that document

 

Mail Merge

This week I am preparing for my afterschool clubs award show.  With out the advantage of mail merge I must say i would drive myself crazy trying to print programs, awards, & seating assignments.  It is so easy to create a list, double check spelling of names and grade levels and hit a button and watch all of your perfect forms print out.  What a time saver.  If you would like to learn more about mail merge watch one of my videos.  07

Reserve on Netfilx

A new movie to watch on netflix.  From the Education Policy Blog comes a recommendation for the documentary "Race to Nowhere."  I read the article, read the info on Netflix and saved it.  I watched "Waiting for superman" and yes that movie did raise and answer some questions.  This movie looks at schools from a suburban approach and for me will be more on target. 

Comments are always welcome

Spring Break

Back from spring break with reharged batteries =)  I have been keeping up with the Teachers Challange and have seen some great posts.  Some of the Free Tools are sites that I cant use because of slow bandwith others I just dont know how to apply in my room.  I am curios to know how others are using the tools presented.  I will say that I use Wordle to show students how to use the print screen function.  The other sites shown are harder for me to apply in my room and age level.