Jul 03

Just had to post this. When you make online purchases and you get right towards the end and you see something like: "Enter Promotional Code" I hope you take five minutes to do a Google search for possible savings. Today I was buying credits at iStockPhoto (for website pictures) and there was a line about entering a code. istock1. I did a quick Google Search, copied the code, and saved $7! Doesn’t always work that way but sometimes worth the search.

Jun 14

Well, it finally hit me tonight.  I spend so much time searching for what others are using their iPhones for that maybe it’s time I post some of what I’m using.  As an educational administrator (Dean of Students and Activities Director) I use my iPhone more than any other tool.  Each day I have to charge it as I drain through the battery.  A common theme I find from the apps I use is their ease of use and web accesability options.  By web accessible I mean an alternate version is available for me to grab from my laptop or desktop.  I always have copies of information I need available with an internet connection and when I don’t have that I can access the info directly from my iPhone’s data connection.  The only information I can think of that I don’t have direct access to are items that present a data privacy concern (suspension records, specific student related communication pieces, etc.).  These are still housed on our in district network and I have to access them from my desktop.  Our student information system is accessible from my phone but does not meet the "ease of use" condition I mentioned earlier.  I usually only use it to check student schedules.

 

Here are a few screen shots of my first couple pages as well as the Google App:

page 1 of iPhone

iPhone page 2

iPhone google app image

 

 Here’s a short list of the apps I use the most:

  • Google App
    • I use this to access my email through my gMail account, I forward my school email to it and keep a copy on that platform as well.
    • My iPhone calendar is synced to my Google Calendar.  Adding an item to either one updates the other and allows it to be accessible on the web.  I also have my Google Calendar set to send me a text message the week before and a half an hour before scheduled events.
    • I post all of the information I need to access (that doesn’t contain sensitive data or items that pose a privacy concern) directly into Google Docs and almost all of my time is spent enteriing directly into Google Docs. I can access from the iPhone, my computers, and have sharing capability with the many groups that I work with.
  • Toodledo
    • A to do list that allows me to sort by priority as well as due date.  It also automatically updates and posts to the online toodledo website.  I have this site as one of my start pages on my laptop and desktop so that each time I log in to my machines I have instant access to my updated to do list.  If I make a change online it also updates on my phone.
  • Evernote
    • I use this to take longer notes be they text, voice, or pictures.  This is another site that I have set as one of my start pages on my laptop and desktop.  Again, each time I log in to my machines I have instant access to my updated notes.  I have them sorted by category so I can take personal notes, Dean of Student Notes, Activities Director notes, etc.  Again, if I make a change online it also updates on my phone.
  • TWC – Weather Bug
    • I’ve used both to track the weather, especially important when I have to make weather related decisions for events and scheduling.  You have to love the radar features that allow you to track the path and duration of storms.
  • Facebook
    • I keep in contact with friends, family, and colleagues from around the world at a level I could never maintain through traditional mediums.
  • White Pages
    • I’ll search out contacts and use the built-in app to get directions and update/add directly to my contact list.
  • At Bat 2009
    • How else does a mobile guy keep up with his favorite team (MINNESOTA TWINS!!!)?
  • NEWS Sites (each showing different world views through text, photo, and video).
    • BBC Reader
    • AP News
    • New York Times
  • Twitterific
    • Much like my blogging, I go in spurts with Twitter.  I use twitter to network with colleagues around the globe who are in similar professional positions or share a common education and technology interests.
  • TED
    • I love this app, it pulls audio and video presentations from the TED conferences.
  • Wikipanion
    • Direct access to the Wikipedia.
  • Clock
    • One draw back to this dang phone.  It has a use for everything… I even use it as my alarm clock to wake me up with Beatles or Kid Rock songs that I’ve created ringtones for with Garage Band.  I rarely turn my phone off…. I do try to utilize airplane mode at night though….
  • BlogPress
    •  For the websites I’ve setup in our district (www.isd317.org) I try to use Joomla or Wordress as the platform.  Each of which tie in with this app that allows you to add and edit content to your websites with a rich editor directly from your phone.  SWEET.  I don’t use it too often but it came in handy when posting updates when our teams were in playoffs or at state competitions.

 If you have any questions about what I use my iPhone for in my postions please feel free to contact me or post a comment below.

 

:-)

Sean Martinson

 

Dec 22

Blogpress

Uncategorized No Comments »

Blogpress. An application for the iPhone. I am writing this post on my iPhone utilizing this app.

I like that it’s easy to use, easy to setup, has a nice image “editing” tool, and Feng gets back to you immediately if you need help. It also works with my Joomla sites!!!!

– Post From My iPhone

Dec 22

Test

Uncategorized No Comments »

This post was written using blogpress for the iPhone.


– Post From My iPhone

Dec 15

ASCD talk by Kohn.

Dec 15

Quick book talk on the Homework Myth from EyeOnBooks.

Dec 12

You never saw this when I was in school… Kids hanging out just to charge their gadgets! ;-) This is from DRHS….

Dec 11

My Sunday/Tuesday session (longer version) from TIES:

 

 

Dec 11

My Monday session at TIES:

 

 

Sorry but you had to be there for the discussion portion.  ;-)

Dec 11

@wfryer I posted a few book suggestions before I sign off. Night. Happy reading!