Posture

https://instagram.com/mobilitywod/

Does this look familiar to you?

I came across the photo at the top of the page while searching through Crossfit photos on Instagram. I know I am guilty of poor posture while using my mobile devices. My posture was something I did not think of when I first started using iPods in my classroom seven years ago. Now, it is something that is on my mind often!! We know that iPads, iPods, Smartphones, tablets, laptops, Chromebooks (and the list goes on) will not be going away anytime soon. Let's be proactive and teach our students the correct way to use the devices. 

A good friend of mine, Dr.Mark Roerick, has created some helpful tools for teachers to use in their classrooms. He is passionate about helping others understand how to have proper posture. You can find all of his materials at 

www.drmarkwellness.com

Here are a few quick videos you can start using with students right away:

Primary/Elementary Students

 Secondary Students


Are you doing anything special in your classroom to help your students?

When I first started using iPods, I had my students keep them flat on the desk in fear they would drop the device and break it. Now, I know if it can be propped up it will help their neck. Of they should sit on the floor and rest it on their legs, this will help with overall posture.

I am not the expert in this area. Luckily, I know one. If you have any questions you can reach out and ask him questions. I know he also likes to speak at schools, workshops, and events.
Here is his contact information:

• Twitter - https://twitter.com/DrMarkWellness 
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Advantage.Chiro
• Email -  drmark@advantagechiro.net 
• Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+AdvantageChiropracticSaintCloud/about 

Trip to ISTE

I did it! I just registered for #iste2015. 

How exciting! 

I am looking forward to the trip. 

Now I have a lot of question.

For those of you who have been to ISTE in the past:

• Who should I make sure I see?
• What vendors are you looking forward to checking out?
• What have been your favorite sessions to attend?
• Do you go to only sessions or do you take time to go to the vendor area? If you do go, how much time do you spend there?
• Have you volunteered? If so, what did you do and would you do it again?
• I love my shoes and tech T-shirts, but what other things did you pack with you?

For those of you who have been to Philadelphia:

• What should I make sure I see while in town?
• Any food that I should not miss out on?
• How is the airport? How much time do I need to add to get through security and check in on the way back?

Any tips on:

• Money, it is very expensive to go to ISTE!  I have received a $200 scholarship but would love more. Where do you get grants/scholarships to attend conferences?
• I want to meet my PLN in person. What are some meet ups I should be aware of?

I am super excited to go!! If you are going let me know so we can connect!! 

Getting Going with your Personal Learning Network (PLN)! - Part 1

Where to start? When people are first starting to build their Personal Learning Network (PLN), it can be a bit overwhelming. Common questions are

• Whose blogs should I read?
• Who should I follow on Twitter?
• Do I need to be active on all social networks?
• How can I stay organized?
• Doesn't your neck hurt if you are always on your devices?

All are great questions. Here are my answers:

Whose blogs should I read?

Find blogs that are of interest to you in your teaching area.

If you are an elementary teachers here are a few to get started with:

• The Techie Teachers
• http://thetechieteachers.blogspot.com/
• Sara Norman
• http://teachernorman.blogspot.com/
• Kayla Delzer
• http://topdogteaching.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in technology integration, here are a few to get started with:

• Jennie Magiera
• http://www.teachinglikeits2999.com/
• Shake Up Learning
• http://www.shakeuplearning.com/
• Edudemic
• http://www.edudemic.com/
• Alice Keeler
• http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/

Who should I follow on Twitter?

All of the above people are great to follow on Twitter. In addition to them, I find inspiration through the following in the areas of leadership, education, innovation:

• https://twitter.com/simonsinek
• https://twitter.com/lesliefisher
• https://twitter.com/sherylsandberg
• https://twitter.com/soledadobrien
• https://twitter.com/naomiharm 
• https://twitter.com/gcouros
• https://twitter.com/E_Sheninger 

I have had the privilege to meet a few of them in person and look forward to the day when I can say I have met all of them. They are world wide speakers and have a lot of experience to share. At a more local level here are a few people I interact with on a regular basis:

• https://twitter.com/wilsandrea
• https://twitter.com/ersimmons
• https://twitter.com/ESM_Erin
• https://twitter.com/mgaukler
• https://twitter.com/MissField5
• https://twitter.com/jenhegna

9349 top-100-social-k12-ci os-2015-v2 from Vala Afshar

You can find more people to follow in the presentation Above

Do I need to be active on all social networks?

No! When I first started to build my PLN I started on Twitter. At the very beginning stages I was a lurker. I just would go on and read other peoples posts. It took awhile for me to even being posting my own thoughts. Other than Twitter, Google+ is where I go. Twitter and Google+ are my two go to places for connecting with other educators. Instagram and Facebook are where I go to connect with others on a more personal level. I keep Facebook for family and friends and Instagram for gym/jeep/travel related pictures. Everything I post would be appropriate for all, but I feel like I go to different areas for different things. It is just the way I stay organized. I feel like my family and friends don't want to see all of my edtech updates and my gym buddies don't want to see my family pictures. 

I will continue to give my thoughts on the rest of the questions in blog post Part 2! If you have any questions in the mean time you can find me on Twitter @MrsKalthoff

Google Drive and iOS

When I First started using Google Drive on my iPad, the only needed app was Google Drive.

• Google Drive
• Here is the description from the app store:
• Get started with Google Drive for free and have all your files within reach from any smartphone, tablet, or computer. All your files in Drive – like your videos, photos, and documents – are backed up safely so you can’t lose them. Easily invite others to view, edit, or leave comments on any of your files or folders.
  
  With Drive, you can:
  
  • View documents, PDFs, photos, videos, and more
  • Search for files by name and content
  • Easily share files and folders with others
  • Set sharing permissions to view, comment, or edit
  • Quickly access recent files
  • See file details and activity 
  • Enable viewing of files offline

However, now in order for Google Drive to function properly on your iPad now, you will need three more apps. Here they are!

• Google Slides
• Here is the description from the app store:

• Create, edit, and collaborate with others on presentations from your iPod, iPhone, or iPad with the free Google Slides app. With Google Slides you can:
  
  * Create new presentations or edit any that were created on the web or on another device
  * Share presentations and work together with others in the same presentation at the same time
  * Open, edit, and save Microsoft PowerPoint files
  * Get stuff done anytime -- even without an internet connection
  * Add and rearrange slides, format text and shapes, and more
  * Present right from your device
  * Never worry about losing your work -- everything is automatically saved as you type
• Google Docs
• Here is the description from the app store:
• Create, edit, and collaborate with others on documents from your iPod, iPhone, or iPad with the free Google Docs app. With Google Docs you can:
  
  * Create new documents or edit any that were created on the web or on another device 
  * Share documents and work together with others in the same document at the same time
  * Open, edit, and save Microsoft Word documents
  * Get stuff done anytime -- even without an internet connection
  * Add and respond to comments
  * Never worry about losing your work -- everything is automatically saved as you type 
  * Protect your documents with a 4-digit passcode
• Google Sheets
• Here is the description from the app store:
• Create, edit, and collaborate with others on spreadsheets from your iPod, iPhone, or iPad with the free Google Sheets app. With Google Sheets you can:
  
  * Create new spreadsheets or edit any that were created on the web or on another device 
  * Share spreadsheets and work together with others in the same spreadsheet at the same time
  * Open, edit, and save Microsoft Excel files
  * Get stuff done anytime -- even without an internet connection
  * Format cells, enter/sort data, view charts, insert formulas, use find/replace, and more
  * Never worry about losing your work -- everything is automatically saved as you type 
  * Protect your spreadsheets with a 4-digit passcode

When I use a Google Docs, Google Sheets, or  Google Slides on my iPad I typically start in Google Drive to find what I am looking for. After finding the document and touching it to open, Google will take you out of the Google Drive app and into the specific app for the type of document you are working with. Below is an image of this workflow.