FlowReader Makes It Easy To Transfer Google Reader Subscriptions

FlowReader Makes It Easy To Transfer Google Reader Subscriptions

I realize that many of you are already considering transferring your Google Reader subscriptions to Feedly, but I just came across this article and thought I share a little bit about FlowReader.  This of course is a free reader and it sounds like it is extremely easy to transfer everything from your Google Reader account.  What I find very cool is on the home page there is a button that says "Import your Google Reader feeds now."  Wow, can't make it any easier than that.  If you happen to have your subscriptions listed in categories, as I do, it will import those categories as well.  It also gives you the option to connect to your social media too.  So, if you haven't made the transition out of Google Reader yet, this may be a viable option for you.

Using Google Voice to Comment on Google Docs

Using Google Voice to Comment on Google Docs

I just saw this blog and thought that it was a must share with the class.  I know that many of you are using Google Docs with your students and I think that you might find this a valuable resource.  It is a pretty simple option, but like myself, I assume many of you were not aware of it.  Evidently, there is an option to leave voice comments on your students' Google Docs assignments.  I feel that this is an excellent resource and potentially a huge time saver for teachers, especially with projects.  I have linked to the blog that talks about it, but honestly the blog is pretty basic so I have also included a link to the YouTube video that explains how to create voice comments which is what the blog was in reply to.  Hope that you find this helpful and I would be interested in hearing if any of you already use this option.

Classroom Behavior? There's an App for That

Check this article about ClassDojo.  It is an App that lets teachers manage classroom behavior.  I'm still unsure if it something that I would/could use in my classroom but it truly seems amazing to me.  I am definitely going to explore it more this summer.  I really like the idea of parents getting weekly behavior reports.  I had a student this year that was constantly off-task and regularly disrupting others.  Every time I spoke with him, his response was "what, I have an A in this class?"  Obviously there were several calls home, but little changed.  I don't think he or mom made the connection that, yes he has an A but his behavior is distracting to others.  Well, this might be the right tool for that type of student.  Oh, and by the way, he didn't end up with an A.  Must be that off-task behavior finally caught up with him.

Watch2Gether - Watch and Discuss Videos Online

Watch2Gether - Watch and Discuss Videos Online

This sounds like a pretty nice option to give students doing group work or project.  Watch2Gether is a website that allows you to watch videos with other people and host a text chat at the same time.  Awesome, I know!!  Seems pretty easy.  Sounds like you create a username, choose a video using the URL and then invite friends into your chat room to watch and text about it.  Anybody ever use this in their classroom?

VideoANT

VideoANT- Collaboratively Annotate Videos

Check out this article about VideoANT.  It is a downloadable software that allows people to annotate videos. The best part about it is that it can be done collaboratively.  Imagine the use it could have in the classroom.  All you need is public videos, like anything from YouTube and your students are off.  Seems pretty cool.  The video can be annotated while it plays and to get others in on your work all you do is send them a VideoANT link, they don't even need an account.

Feedspot - A Simple Google Reader Replacement

Feedspot - A Simple Google Reader Replacement

So, if you are like me and already looking for options to switch from Google Reader when it ends this summer, I just read an article that you may to check out.  The article is about Feedspot and they compare it very closely to Google Reader.  The article does mention a couple other options like Feedly, Flipboard and The Old Reader but give several reasons why switching from Google to Feedspot may be good option.   Check out the link and you will also find a video explains why Feedspot is a good Google replacement.

Have any of you started a new RSS Reader account?  If so, what are you trying out?

Remind 101 - Safely Text Parents and Students

Remind 101 - Safely Text Parents and Students

I want to share this service with you all that I just read about.  It is called Remind 101.  This is a service that allows you to text reminders and messages to your students and their parents.  The best thing about it is that it is safe and secure.  No numbers for you or students and parents are ever identified.  Another great feature for this service is that you can schedule messages ahead of time to go out for reminders.  The selling point is that we all know how anxious we are to check our texts as soon as we receive them, but not nearly in as much of a hurry to check our email.  So this little text reminder might be the perfect thing to send out the night before a test or a major assignment is due.

It sounds like a pretty cool option to use and the best part is keeping your number private.  I suppose that those of you that are coaches could also set up an account for your teams.  Do any of you currently use this service or one similar to it?