EDU Post #11

The past two weeks have been pretty busy getting the students ready for TCAP.  I haven't had much to do tech-wise, but I have worked with my student teacher on proper internet use for researching projects, etc.  I spoke with her about Dropbox and highlighted the necessity of always having a backup for your computer.  Dropbox is an excellent tool for this and I downloaded it on all of my computers.  Last week I primarily worked with my team website.  Our administrators requested that anyone with a website post information about TCAP proctors and volunteers for end of the year activities.  I worked with the various teachers around the building to help them set this up. 

Article Review: Pinterest

http://web.appstorm.net/reviews/social-networking/pinterest-the-social-network-you-didnt-know-you-needed/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+webappstorm+%28Web+AppStorm%29

I have heard a lot about this social app, but I have never attempted to use it myself.  Pinterest is another social app that allows users to post visual images about various topics.  It allows users to sign up using their Facebook or Twitter accounts.  Users who sync accounts can share their images between all three networks.  The biggest draw is that it allows users to share images and links in an easier format than Facebook and Twitter.  I see a use for education, but like Facebook and Twitter a big drawback is the danger in adding students to a friend's list on these social media applications.  If a similar social app is designed for educators than I would definitely find a use for it.  Images play a large role in my curriculum (social studies) and it would be great to share these with students outside of the classroom.

Article Review: ClassConnect

http://web.appstorm.net/reviews/social-networking/classconnect-find-build-and-share-lessons/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+webappstorm+%28Web+AppStorm%29

Appstorm's review over ClassConnect describes it as an online sharing site for teachers.  It provides a method of saving and sharing various resources with other teachers.  Links, documents, lessons, videos, and other files can all be saved on the application.  Appstorm describes it as more than a normal cloud server since it allows URLs to also be saved.  ClassConnect also contains a teacher section in which educators can create classes in an attempt to make organization easier.  The app also allows users to refer colleagues in return for 500 MB of free storage.

My Thoughts:  I may very well try out this app after reading this article.  Access to free storage, easy organization, and the ability to connect with colleagues around the globe make this app a must have.

Article Review: Stratocam

Stratocam is a website that randomly selects images from Google Earth and shows them in a slideshow.  At first glance it would seem that this website is too simple for use in the classroom, but it might have its uses.  Geography and social studies teachers are required to teach about land forms and bodies of water in several grade levels and this website would help teachers show real world images.  Users are able to zoom in and out and viewers are able to make their own snapshots.  This would make for a great "bell-ringer" type activity.  Students may also create their own images and post them on the website.  This is something that I will definitely be using in the future.

http://www.whiteboardblog.co.uk/2012/04/stratocam-the-best-pictures-from-google-earth/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheWhiteboardBlog+%28The+Whiteboard+Blog%29

Article Review: Socrative

The Whiteboard Blog posted an article about www.socrative.com.  This website allows teachers and students to create a poll for many uses.  Apps are available for various Apple products (iPod, iPhone, iPad, etc) and one for Android as well.  Socrative can be opened up with a web browser and students are able to answer short questions or complete entire tests.  This website sounds very similar to Google docs and their form option. I like the idea behind the apps.  This would be a wonderful tool for school systems that have purchased iPads or similar devices for their students.  Teachers who are brave and willing to allow students to use their cellphones may also find a use for this tool.

http://www.whiteboardblog.co.uk/2012/04/socrative-class-quizzes-and-polling-via-any-device/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheWhiteboardBlog+%28The+Whiteboard+Blog%29

EDU 6000 Post #10

I honestly did not have much to do this week.  No one has needed help with their Shutterfly website and the only real technology issues I had was with my student teacher.  We discussed various ways for students to conduct research online and I requested that she search for appropriate websites that the students could use.  I also plan on downloading the Dropbox webapp for my personal and professional use.  I will also discuss this with my student teacher and encourage her to use something similar.

Article Review: TeamGantt: Stunning Project Management with Gantt Charts

App Storm: TeamGantt: Stunning Project Management with Gantt Charts
http://web.appstorm.net/reviews/project-management/teamgantt-stunning-project-management/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+webappstorm+%28Web+AppStorm%29

I chose this article for review because I am always struggling with time management.  App Storm acknowledges that there is a plethora of management apps available.  Gantt charts allow users to drag and drop projects onto a calendar and share them with other people.  They also provide a short tutorial about using the chart.  I didn't see much that was innovative with Gantt charts, especially for the $10 monthly fee for the starter version.  I honestly believe that there are better and cheaper apps out there.