For years now I've been recommending that teachers use DropBox.  As with Edmodo some teachers have begun using DropBox at my suggestion, others have not.  However, the idea of using tools such as DropBox and Edmodo is beginning to gain traction. 

I understand that all NHS teachers were set up with DropBox accounts at a recent teacher's meeting.  At AHS I was in attendance at a teacher's meeting when the recommendation was made that teacher's use DropBox.  By now, if you aren't familiar with DropBox, you might be wondering what it is?  DropBox is one of those websites which offers online (cloud) storage.  Online storage is a way to back up your files so that if your computer crashes beyond repair, you don't lose these files.  An added benefit is that your files can be accessed from any Internet connected computer.   DropBox offers 2 GB of storage free.

You could establish an account, and take advantage of it in its simplest form--you could open your browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) go to dropbox.com, log in and upload a file of any kind.  

A better way to accomplish the same thing is to install the DropBox program on your computer.  If you do that, DropBox creates a folder on your computer.  Anything you store in this folder (or subfolder) is automatically synchronized to your DropBox account on the web.  Your browser doesn't even need to be open; DropBox just uploads it to the web while you continue to work on something else.  If you do not have an internet connection, DropBox will upload it next time you are connected to the web.  If you are working on a computer other than your own--say a library computer, you can upload to your online DropBox account and the next time you boot up your computer it will automatically download that file to your computer--your online DropBox folder and the folder on your computer are kept in sync.  

Although in the above paragraph I repeatedly refer to “your computer,” I should point out that there are DropBox apps for any IOS or Android device.  You can have DropBox on your phone, your pad and your computer all at the same time.  The DropBox folders on each of these devices will automatically stay in sync.

In addition to these features, there are a couple more really neat things you can do with DropBox.  Within your DropBox folder there is a subfolder named “public”.  Any file you place in the public folder has a public link--a web address you can share with students (or friends) allowing them to access that folder.  This is useful for sharing worksheets, etc. with your students.  

DropBox also allows you to create a subfolder which students can upload to, thus allowing them to turn in homework on the web.  To take advantage of this you go to dropitto.me and establish an account there.  DropItToMe creates a folder within your DropBox.  A student who goes to your drop it to me internet page can enter a password and upload a file to that particular DropBox subfolder – without having access to your DropBox other than the ability to upload a file to it.  They never see the contents of your DropBox.

Finally, DropBox can also be useful for photo sharing--you can share a whole folder full of pictures with your friends and relatives.  

You might want to go to DropBox and establish an account right now, or, you can send me an email stating your interest--I’ll send you an invitation to join DropBox.  There will be a link in the invitation, if you use that link to establish your account I’ll get additional free 500 MG of storage space in my DropBox.  So, now you see that I just might have an ulterior motive--not only will this be a benefit to you, but it will benefit ME as well.