There is a website http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/ that list several Web 2.0 tools based on various categories. I looked through the file sharing categories because I have my students complete various multimedia projects, but those types of file formats (wmv, mov, etc.) can take up a lot of space. Unfortunately, the school's server doesn't have a lot of space. I started using Dropbox last semester. It is a Web 2.0 tool that worked wonders for a while. We then started having some issues with it slowing down and not working, especially when several students at a time were in it trying to upload projects.
It works great otherwise. I have never had an issue with it personally and individual students never had issues with it. For a teacher, it makes grading a lot easier as assignments are easily accessible and there’s a time stamp on them so you know if it was turned in late. It also affords me the opportunity to hold on to those exemplary projects to be used as examples for future students.
For students, it can function as a flash drive as they can create their own Dropbox accounts; save work there and then access it from home. When/If they complete the work at home, it can be turned in directly to the class’s dropbox.
Another neat feature of Dropbox is the Events tab that shows any and every movement that takes place within the dropbox. If you or students deleted a file, turned in a file, made changes to a file, etc.; it gets logged. No more of the “I know I turned it in!” excuse.
You can also share files, so if there is something I want my students to view, but it’s in my personal Dropbox; I can share the folder with them and that folder (ONLY that folder) will be in their dropbox.
There are tutorials and FAQs if you ever need assistance with using Dropbox effectively. I highly recommend this tool for personal and professional use.
Alonia, thank you for the information on dropbox. I am always trying to figure a way for my students to submit work that I can organize. The other feature I like is the ability to use it as a flashdrive. The reason it slows down doesn't sound like a site problem, but the bandwith your school has available for the students to use. If all the students are using it at the same time, its like everyone trying to get on I77 at the same time and causing a traffic jam. Maybe have assigned times to submit work? By the way, I live just east of Charlotte in Union County NC :)
ReplyDeleteI usually use this or Blackboard for them to turn in assignments. I can also share exemplary examples of previous projects and make them accessible as well. You are very right; it could be the bandwith. Never really thought of that. Now there was a time when the site itself was down. I like the idea of having assigned times to submit so as not to create a "traffic jam." Thanks for your post!
ReplyDeleteP.S. - Really? I'm in Columbia, SC - road trip! LOL