Exceeds the size limit? Not anymore!

How many times have  you started to email a file and suddenly you get a pop up that says the file is too large? Many email services limit the amount or types of files you can attach. I am currently limited to 25MB and cannot attach any executable files. While checking out the Navasota ISD Pinterest page the other day, I came across a pin by another follower. 

 

Pastelink.me solves this problem! Without creating an account you can share files up to 250MB, and by creating an account you can share up to 2GB.....all for FREE! I tested it out using a video and an executable file. You simply drag and drop your file into the designated area and then it produces a link to paste into your email. The recipient simply clicks on the link and saves the file. Each file is stored for 7 days allowing the recipient(s) time to download.

Tagxedo - Word Cloud Creator with some UMPH!

Tagxedo is not just another word cloud creator! It has lots of bells and whistles that some of the others don't have, and we all know that educators like LOUD bells and LOTS of whistles! Upon clicking on the home page of Tagxedo you will see:

Notice, you already have lots of options! My favorite is (1) URL! You can add a web address and make a word cloud out of it, or you can click Start Now in the upper left and put in your own text! Then you have more bells and whistles to choose from!

 

Here is a picture of this blog in Tagxedo! Of course, I will change some of it because I can! Notice under RESPINS, you have the options to change the color, theme, font, orientation, layout, or all of it! I want my colors to be similar to the colors in my blog, so I can respin until I find them or I can click on the arrow by theme and pick one from a list. Now under options, I go to Word/Layout and choose some words I want to skip (like my initials JAM, comments, and posts).  Last but not least, I want to pick a shape for my word cloud!

For those of you who know me well, you know a coffee cup fits me. However, I imagine you sitting back with a cup of coffee reading this post, and thinking "I want to try this!" Have fun with Tagxedo! Please share in the comment section ideas for using in your classroom.

UPDATE:: A teacher sent me a Tagxedo she did for her classroom that features the Junior High activities of the campus where she teaches. They are known as the Fangs, so the snake shape is appropriate! Just had to share!

Goggle for Google!

Yes, our district loves Google! Well, at least most of the staff does! I have teachers say that, but once they understand how things work they quickly become fans.  We have found so many benefits in using Google Apps with not only the staff but our students as well.  Students have taken the initiative to submit homework through their Google Mail accounts, collaborate with each other on Science and History Fair projects, vote for officers using the Form created in Google by a teacher, and much, much more. We even had a parent complain because their child was monopolizing the home computer completing and submitting homework through email!

Google is "ever changing"! They often provide surveys as a way to see what is working, what is needed, and to get input from users. This year they have switched from what we know as "Google Docs" to "Google Drive". What is the difference you may ask? Here is a short video that explains!






Hopefully this video helped you understand some of the changes you will see!

Remind 101

  Another great communication tool for teachers to use with parents! (I could see this being used by lots of different groups as well: youth groups, departments, athletics, clubs, etc.)

Parent view from teacher, Mrs. Jones

Simple steps to use:

• create account
• will allow you to set up different classes
• send home printable PDF to parents that tell them how to sign up for the texts (they can text a number or email) It is NOT your cell number!!
• They receive a text saying they successfully signed up! 

That is it!

Now as the creator you can simply login to the site and send a message, and anyone who has signed up will receive this message. The recipient does not have access to your phone number and it does not allow them to text you back.

As a smartphone user, you can download the Remind 101 app now for your iPhone, iPad, or Droid. The best thing about this program is it is all FREE!! Got to love free stuff that works!

Navasota ISD is on Pinterest!

Yes that is right! Why Pinterest?  We thought we would meet the teachers and parents where they are, and most are on Pinterest! If you are not familiar with Pinterest it is a bookmarking system that uses pictures. How many times have you gone back looking for a bookmark and had to click on several before you found the one with that bulletin board idea that you wanted!

We have 41 boards with lots of links to lessons, productivity tools, subject specific ideas, and appropriate grade levels.

Check us out! If you have some great sites that you think we need to share, please send them to me.
morelandj@navasotaisd.org

http://pinterest.com/navasotaisd/

Chrome for your toys!

Yeah! Chrome now has apps for your iPhones, iPads, and Droids! I downloaded it to my iToys and so far am loving it.

When I logged in, I was able to access all of my bookmarks from my desktop.  This makes it especially beneficial when I am on the go!

Don't wait! Give it a try!

Once again . . .

Once again I am going to try to do a better job of posting! I think my problem in blogging is that I think there needs to be a substantial article to go with any post! Sometimes I just want to share something and don't because I don't feel I have enough to write something substantial. Make sense? I have discovered that most of my followers don't want a "story/article", they just want to know what is out there they can use in the classroom. I am going to try to keep my posts short and sweet! Hope you are enjoying your summer!!