Activity+11+Reflection+on+Using+Cloud+Computing+to+Sync+Information+from+Home+to+School

=Activity #11= =Reflection on Using Cloud Computing to Sync Information Between Home and School= =September, 2010= ====One of my goals this year in going back to the classroom was to find better ways to sync information between home and school. This year at my new school assignment I received a brand new Windows laptop. This actually made the syncing more of challenge since I have all Apple computers at home. I don't like to use usb drives because they are easy to lose and it is hard to keep track of what files have been modified or transferred. I realizes I need something that was platform neutral, or as one of our readings put it "the web as platform" (Solomon, & Schrum, 2007, p. 46).====

====I used a combination of a google-search and information from Digital Directions (Digital Directions, 2009) and found a web based tool called Planbookedu.com. It is a lesson plan book that can be accessed from any computer connected to the internet. You can print, determine number of classes or subjects, share planbooks, and email lesson plans to a school site of substitute. I have found it to be invaluable in keeping my lesson plans current. It has made it easier to plan at a place and time that is most convenient.====

====The other web based technology I have used is called Dropbox. It acts as a folder on any computer but the contents are synced and stored on Dropbox's servers. This means that any file I put into Dropbox is immediately accessible by all the other computers I have it installed on. I can even log in to my Dropbox account from any other computer and have access to my files. Another plus for me is that the folder can be backed up like any other file.There is a free limit of two gigabytes with of course an option to purchase more. This has allowed me to share documents, photos, movies, and audio files. I can take a song or picture at home, put it in Dropbox on my iMac and access it from my windows laptop at work. It has become invaluable.====

====I also tried to implement an online grading system called Engrade. This allowed secure posting of grades online. Parents could also comment or ask questions. But at Back-to-School-Night, I found that less than one third of my students and their families had regular internet access. So I never ended up using it.====

**Self-Assessment**
====I found that using Dropbox is much more secure and convenient than using flash drives or using .mac, another service I had. I learned that cloud computing is a great way to share information across different computer systems.====

**Learn as a Learner**
====I needed to find a solution for sharing files. I used web 2.0 technologies and the knowledge gained in this program to determine the best solution. I think I completed this activity well as this solution has worked out fine. I interacted with others via user reviews, comments on developer websites, etc. allowed me to see the benefits and possible issues with these two technologies.====

**LIfelong Learning Skills**
====I will continue to stay current on solutions to share files and streamline my workflow. I think web based technologies are the wave of the future. I will continue to talk to my colleagues about what resources they have found helpful to keep information straight between work and home. I will stay current on technologies to increase the sharing of information and files in a safe and secure manner.====

Solomon, g., & Schrum, L. (2007). //Web 2.0:New schools, new tools.// Eugene, OR:International Society for Technology in Education.
====Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). //ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do//. Eugene, OR: International Society forTechnology in Education====