I decided that it was time to tackle another MAJOR problem in my tech world - organizing my lesson materials so that I can access them whenever I need to, where ever I need to on whatever laptop or computer or tablet is in front of me. That is a pretty major job considering the number of moving parts in my lessons, but I am willing to eat the elephant one bite at a time until it is done.
I started by backing up my external hard drive (my life support) to the server. It took three full days, but now I can rest easier knowing that my files are in more than one location.
I then decided to start with my September lessons and update them for this coming school year. I started a media file folder for each PowerPoint and linked the sound and video files right to that folder. My hope is that by setting things up this way I can easily transfer from one computer to another without having to re-link all of the media files. I'm not done yet. It's taking longer than I thought, but I am also doing a pretty major revamp of my first grade lessons, so that is taking a good chunk of time.
At this point I have enough space in Dropbox to save the files there. I am thinking that I will use Dropbox as my go between for the files I am using currently in my classroom and then back up to the server and my external hard drive when that month's worth of lessons is ready to be archived. Or maybe I'll just bite the bullet and buy more storage space...time will tell.
Does this sound like the best way to eat this elephant? Any ideas for upgrades?
Erica,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have accomplished a great deal! I feel like I am at the same point with my tech project. Just need the children (and for our project, a couple months of modelling)!
I have not yet explored Dropbox. Have you used it much in the past? You have prompted me to look into it as a potential organizing tool.
Wow, Erica! Sounds like you have been busy and are well on your way to consuming the whole elephant! You have inspired me to back up my files again. I haven't added to dropbox in a while and I do not have an external hard drive. Do you think I should get one?
ReplyDeleteErica, organization and backing up are indeed challenges. I'm wondering about the size of your backup on the server. We usually only backup documents there due to size allotments. I certainly understand wanting to have your files safely stored in more than one place. You are probably recommending DropBox to others to get more space there and having your own hard drive is a good plan. I know from Karen that organizing your Power Points so that the music is also transferrable is important.
ReplyDeleteYou are a creative teacher and I'm sure you are doing some valuable upgrades as you work on your curriculum. I also want to thank you for the labels on the large speaker setup at Rowe as Amber and I were able to use it on Friday for Community Meeting and I would have been lost without the labels.