Copy App

I did a post a few months back about cloud resources, naming some of my favorites such as Drop Box, Sugar Sync, and Box.  I have since discovered another resource, Copy , that is becoming one of my favorites and the size allotment is 15GB.   I can use  Copy on my iPad and my PC desktop.  I think this app is particularly useful for those teachers who are using both iPads, and laptops, and need to quickly have a repository where they can store their data and not worry about file size.  Additionally, I really like that I can also send the documents to email accounts or upload to Drive, Edmodo, DropBox and a variety of others applications.  File sharing is made super easy with this wonderful web tool and Copy is supported on all Platforms:

• Android
• iOS
• MacOS

• Windows
• Linux

How to Enable Airplay Mirroring on your MacBook Pro or iPad

If you requested an Apple TV for your classroom the set up is quite simple so just let me know when we can configure your device.  If you should want to begin on your own I have included the Apple directions below. You will need to make sure both the Apple TV and your device is on the same network.  If you will want students to have airplay capabilities you will need to be on the same network as the students, Sambucus. 

Enable AirPlay Mirroring on your Mountain Lion MacBook Pro

Since your Mac supports AirPlay Mirroring, an AirPlay Mirroring menu extra appears in the menu bar when an Apple TV is on the same network. Turn on mirroring by selecting an Apple TV from the AirPlay Mirroring menu:

 

Enable AirPlay Mirroring on your iPad

1. Connect your iOS device and your Apple TV to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. On your iOS device, double-click the Home button to display your recently used apps.³
3. Swipe the recently used apps twice from left to right until you see the AirPlay icon: . If you do not see the AirPlay icon on your iOS device, your iOS device and Apple TV may not be on the same network. Get help troubleshooting, if necessary.
4. Tap the AirPlay icon, , to display a list of available AirPlay devices.
5. To use AirPlay Mirroring, select the name of your Apple TV, then toggle the ON/OFF slider to ON.

Password Generator

Today I had my first Laptop Orientation session for this year.  I used a new program called Password Bird to help my students think of strong passwords for their accounts.  Most of the students come to sessions with very weak passwords and I encourage them to create 8 character passwords using letters, numbers and caps.  I always have several students who find this task difficult.  We used Password Bird today and it generated some really helpful passwords.  Most other password generators I have used create random passwords that I have trouble remembering.  If the first password doesn't work ask for another, or another.  After several tries we found one that was strong and easy to remember.

Google Dashboard

The end of summer is a perfect time to clean up some files and get ready for the new school year. Have you ever wondered what your Google digital footprint looks like?  Google Dashboard is a great tool to see all your Google accounts at once so you can check settings, edit profiles, and manage documents.  I think this is a great tool to keep tabs on yourself, visit www.google.com/dashboard  periodically and see where you have been and what may need maintenance.  Here is a video to give you a better idea about Google Dashboard.

Global 2013 STEMx Education Conference

I recently read about the Global 2013 STEMx Education Conference, the world’s first massively open online conference for educators focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and more. The conference will be held over the course of three days, September 19-21, 2013, and will be free to attend.  This would be a great opportunity for some free Professional Development. 

"STEMxCon will be a highly inclusive event that will engage students and educators around the globe and will encourage primary, secondary, and tertiary (K-16) educators around the world to share and learn about innovative approaches to STEMx learning and teaching. The call for presentations has been issued.

Register as a member of this conference network to be kept informed.  See the conference information and welcome HERE and the menu links to the left and at the top of each page."