“The whole open technology business is where the rest of the world is by and large now, and it’s where our students are as well.…It’s a mindset. Our students are very much into a world that is collaborative, and because of that, they tend to see things a little bit differently. They are exposed to a greater number of information resources than ever before, and whether it’s good or bad, they’ve come to expect that information to be available and free. (Villano, 2006a, n.p.)”
I just learned how to use Dropbox. It is a (mostly) free online information storage device that allows me access to my files no matter where I am. Using this program means I no longer have to carry around a USB all the time and it also means that my computer at school (and all the work I do there) is now in sync with the work I do at home. I really can’t lose it (Well, I have yet to discover a way to lost it!) and that is a relief. The other day, a student was lamenting the fact that she couldn’t find her USB so she couldn’t work on her giant English project at home. She didn’t want to use google docs as it was a very formatted work of art and literature. She needed the programs she was already using to create it. I showed her dropbox and she was thrilled to discover this tool.
My writing and teaching universe now resides in the clouds. I used to be afraid of things like that but now I am afraid not to have these resources and I wonder what I did before I had all the tools I have now. There are so many tools and resources out there that my students are using and we are discovering them and learning about them together. I grew up, afraid to write in my books. Then I discovered college and the joy of the highlighter. Now that I am older and the technology has allowed, I am a part of the creation process… and my students are creating with me. It is totally messy and sometimes I wonder if it is right but… I think it isn’t my call. This new way of learning, being and sharing is the way it is and I figure we can either go with it or sit still. I’ve never been very good at sitting still.
I am a HUGE fan of dropbox.com and show everyone I can. Between Dropbox, Google Docs, Evernote, and Delicious I now only need to carry my phone and a pocket sized moleskin notebook.
ReplyDeleteI suffered two technology losses that stick with me, one involved a laptop, an open window, and a rainstorm.. truly traumatic. The other loss involved my home computer and it's photo collection.
Today I make sure that everything is backed up online. I could suffer a total loss but would still have a backup of everything.
Cloud based computing is a huge help especially with collaboration.
I love dropbox too! Isn't it great that your students are using these tools too! It makes us have so much more in common with them and it is fun for them, so we sneak in "learning" within the use of these "fun" tools!!
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