Tuesday, March 29, 2016

#TechTipTuesday - It's time for a little digital spring cleaning


There is no time like the present to get started on Spring cleaning, and I recommend starting with your phone.

First thing to do, backup your device to a computer or preferred cloud based management system.

Next, swipe through each page of your phone, if you see an app that you've not used in along time delete it. The app will still be available to you via your backup or downloads (via iCloud, App Store, or Google Play)

Next get those photos backed up.
My preferred method is using the Goolge Photos app.
A free app with unlimited free storage.
Download it, log in with your personal google account and walk through the setup steps.

Once it's all setup it'll run in the background. (For iOS users, you'll need to open the app and let it run while it backs up your photos. I recommend plugging your phone in to a charger so that your battery does not die in the middle of the backup. The assistant tool will tel you when your done)

Once they are all backed up, delete them from your phone. The Google Photos app will offer this feature or can always select them and remove them yourself.

Lastly, it's a great time to get rid of older emails, or at least sort them in to folders. 

Happy cleaning!

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

#TechTipTuesday - Alt Tab your way to access



Have loads of applications open on your computer that you need to switch between? Ever have a slideshow open and need to quickly get to a video you've got pulled up?

Look no further than ALT TAB!

By pressing down on the ALT key then pressing the TAB key you can quickly switch between your open applications.

Give it a try today and share your success.


Tuesday, March 8, 2016

#TechTipTuesday - Backup that data


Before Spring Break gets here, take some time to back up your files on your computers and backup your photos on your phone.

Google Drive is a great and simple place to back up the files on your hard drive if you've not converted over to just using Goolge docs. It'll store all trumped of files for ease of downloading at a later date.

The Google Photos app is a great place to store all your photos (for free!) Just be sure to not use your work account to back up your personal photos to.

Get your digital tools all ready for break before its here!


Tuesday, March 1, 2016

#TechTipTuesday - Checking out Anchor


So this week my tip is about checking out something new.

I'm exploring the potential behind a relatively new app called Anchor.
(Link at bottom of post)

As far as I can tell, it is a self proclaimed public radio of the Internet, made by the people using the app. The twist is the connections/collaboration it offers.

Short version: Record a brief question, conversation, idea, etc and post it, send the post around to all your favorite social media platforms and then wait for listeners to respond back.

Quick potential uses:
Short updates from your learning spaces with potential for parent/community connections 
Monthly Q/A's (walk parents through the learning happening in your room)
Encourage your learners to be the voice of your school, treat it like an online radio station 
Share trailers from up coming concerts
Poetry readings 
Dynamic book chats

The possibilities are endless, so get out there and try something new.


Anchor - Radio by the people by Anchor FM Inc.
https://appsto.re/us/A_a9-.i


As always,
Stay tuned and Stay connected.

Check out my first wave here