1. Save your files to “My Documents” or any location you think is easily recalled and where you can easily retrieve your files. It is advisable not to populate your computer desktop. You have to create folders for several file types and according to use; five folders for your desktop folders may be enough for easy file searching. Always bear in mind that there should be no individual files on your desktop to avoid messy-looking computer desktop—only folders. I noticed on my student’s laptops that some students even had color coded their folders.
2. Inside desktop folders, create main folders for more specific categories of your files. Save move your files according to relevant folders. Make sure that your folder names are descriptive of what files are in them.
3. If you think that you still have hundreds of files in your folders, further break them down into subcategories.  If you have that many folders, you might need to think about backing up and deleting some files from you laptop.

Backup– Backup– Backup!!!!

Etowah, NC

Twelve geocachers began the day at the newly opened Etowah Public Library where they learned about how GPS satellites work, GPS devices and Geocaching.  They then spent some time looking for some small caches around the library as they learned to use their GPS devices.  They were given many examples of how to tie geocaching to any curricular area as well as time to collaborate and connect with each other.  Their adventure then took them to the Etowah Park where they found two geocaches.  The first one was found very quickly; but, the second one proved to be a bit more of an adventure.  After using the clue given to them on the geocaching.com website, the cache was found covered with ants. Their geocaching experience ended with Julie’s Sub and Sandwich Shop providing a wonderful lunch and lots of prizes from Discovery.   

Kinston, NC Twenty three cachers started the day at Golden Corral for breakfast and some general geocaching hints. Our adventure was the First Battle of Kinston Tour, which consisted of 12 new caches and a history lesson at each stop.  Included in each cache was information needed to complete a puzzle that would reveal the location of the last cache.  The travel bug was launched at the 3rd stop on the tour.  Cachers met at the Kinston Visitor’s Center and received a button proclaiming they finished The First Battle Tour of Kinston.  Our reward for a long morning of caching was the delicious lunch awaiting us at Subway.  Everyone was pleasantly surprised at the nice prizes and lunch.

On June 27th, there will be a second event:  The Battle of Wyse Fork, which will also consist of 12 new caches.  Join us if you can.

By Tuesday, our email system has been moved to a new server but we were still having issues with outbound mail.  Most of that was solved before the end of the day.  Finally on Wednesday my headache subsided and I felt that I could show my face it public again.

By now it is quite obivous I have nothing to write about.    So, I am just going to share some things that have excited me.

1. The Dell Latitude 2100 Education Netbook.  I am not a big fan of netbooks for me personally, I prefer my laptop and iPod Touch.  I see the benefits for education.  Dell has released a special netbook for education.  I want a set and it has been a long time since I have said “I want” and “dell” in the same sentence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvPb0nQEt_U

2. The Palm Pre.  Our cell phones are on the Verizon network and I am not happy with the selection.  BlackBerry is not an options.  Saturday, June 5th, Palm is releasing their newest phone the Pre.  It is only on Sprint, but Verizon already let the cat out of the bag and said they will be carrying the Pre in 6 months.

3. Apple’s WWDC.  On June 8th, Apple will most likely be talking about the new iPhone.  There have been rumors of it being available on Verizon, but I am not holding my breath.  I am still excited to see what the updates are and when I can get them on my iPod Touch.

5. Twitter:  I am a bipolar twitterer.  Sometimes I love it and think it is great, other days it is just a distraction.  Today I am liking it.  I especially like this video out of UT Dallas.  I would have loved a classroom like this growing up.  I would never raise my hand or participate in a discussion in school, but I would have participated like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WPVWDkF7U8

It is a good time to be a geek.

•  Jeopardy Labs has tons of ready made games or templates to do your own.
• Have some competition among groups by using GPS devices. Hide cashes with questions from any of Discovery Streaming Videos that follow your Standard course of study. Place the videos in you assignments and have them answer the questions before they get the clue to the next cash.
• We all know that students love to use technology. Give them a chance to make some multi media power points using Discovery Streaming sound, video clips and clip art. Watch them make some amazing creations while brushing up on technology skills.

Have a great summer and get geared up for another school year by creating your own presentations for classes next year. (maybe let your students help????)

Hang in there ……just a few days left.

Fifteen states will participate in the first-ever DEN Geocaching Day and North Carolina is one of them! 

Two events are planned for Saturday, May 30, 2009 in which educators are invited to learn about geocaching and using GPS devices.

Location #1 - Golden Corral - Kinston, NC

• Time:  8:30-
• Contact:  DEN Guide: Lee Yahnker, dragonflyly@netscape.net 

Location #2 - Etowah Public Library - Etowah, NC (15 miles South of Asheville)

• Time:  9:30-12:30
• Contact:  DEN Guide: Conni Mulligan
  connimulligan@gmail.com

If you have ever asked any of the following questions:

• What is GPS?
• What is geocaching?
• How do I get started?
• How can I use this with my students?

Then, you should contact one of the DEN Guides above to participate in this wonderful opportunity.

Folks, we must focus some of this raw energy on preparing for those wonderful end of grade tests. Trying to be politically correct, these tests are an opportunity to show how well our students have mastered the curriculum.

For my fellow teachers that are overwhelmed by all the end of year events, and celebrations and such, here is a wonderful gem that folks at Discovery have shared, at no cost, with educators, students, and parents. Homework Helper has resources to help students master the basics of mathematics of numbers and number operations. Videos and tutorials explain basic operations and help with the mastery of math skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division–essential building blocks for success in mathematics. I like this site too- Webmath.com Then for science review earth, physical, and life science resources are excellent for viewing at home or in the classroom.  For English, they have video chapters and web resources to assist students with their written and verbal communication skills. Content areas included are grammar, composition, and mechanics from Kindergarten to Grade 1 - high school. Hold on, there are social studies recources too! The section keys in on chapters and web resources will assist students with understanding the election process, as well as the powers of and people behind the U.S. presidency.

Marvelous? Yeah right.

Please, don’t let your middle schoolers run over you on their way out the door. All I can say is that I am bad of backing into my parking space everyday this time of the year.

Mediashare

This is an entertaining for schools using Discovery Streaming. The reporters show how to use Mediashare. I wish we had this tool to use with our One to One learning program. We try to use the teacher wiki and we have iWeb, but this is really slick. I read in the Den Spring Training 2009 post that DEN members have a contest running through May 22nd. Lance and Steve do a great job explaining how to upload. So, with this in mind, why not share?  I need to dig through my videos and see if I can earn some “Resources Shared” points. If I can get around to it.

I recently found a great site by Apple called Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow-Today, or ACOT2.  The site outlines what they believe to be the 6 design principals of the 21st century high schools and the answer is not just technology.

1. Understanding of 21st Century Skills and Outcomes.  A survey of business leaders came up with a list of most desirable skills; including, work ethic, collaboration, social responsibility, and critical thinking.  There is nothing ground breaking about this list.  These traits are timeless.  The survey also cited creativity and innovation as being increasingly important.  Again, these are timeless and I am confused by using the word increasingly.   Innovation, or yankee ingenuity, is as american as baseball and apple pie.  Apple doesn’t paint the picture of 21st century skills until you click the button to show more about 21st century skills.   A link to The Partnership for 21st Century Skills breaks the skills down to Core Subjects; Learning and Innovation Skills; Information, Media and Technology Skills; and Life and Career Skills.

Nailing 21st century skills down is tough.  Here is my best attempt at a definition that I could post on twitter.

The ability to find, evaluate, organize, and  share information and apply information to collaboratively solve problems.

2. Relevant and Applied Curriculum.  Curriculum is becoming less of WHAT content is taught and more of HOW the content is taught.  Apple gives six key characteristics of curriculum for 21st Century Learning
1. Involves collaboration and community
2. Based on authenticity and relevance
3. Leverages real-world tools, resources, and methodologies
4. Incorporates a rich continuum of teacher and learning strategies
5. Grounded in rich content with a 21st century context
6. Creates linkages to the outside world

3. Informative Assessment.  Taking a chapter test and getting a percentage grade was normal for me in school and even while I taught.  It always signified the end of learning that particular topic.  Informative assessment moves to make frequent assessments in order to ensure quality learning is taking place and the desired outcome is met. Similar to using a GPS in a car.  Informative assessment can be made by students, teams of students, teachers, and the entire world.

4. Culture of Innovation and Creativity.  You can’t teach innovation and creativity.  Schools must create a culture that embraces creativity for students and teachers.

5. Social and Emotion Connections with Students.  Textbooks don’t motivate students.  Meaningful relationships with other students, teachers, and adults have a great impact on learning.  Schools have to be a community and care about each student and believe every student has something to contribute.

6. Ubiquitous Access to Technology.  Schools must allow students to use the tools needed to get the job done.  Once a year I get annoyed at the North Carolina Writing Test.  They now allow the students to use a computer, but forbids the use of  spell check, a dictionary, or a thesaurus.  All tools that writers, professional  and amateur, use everyday.

Also posted on ITSThinkTank.