+ me? Circle me? Getting to know Google+

With all the recent hype about Google+, my curiosity could not wait to get an invite to join! Waiting, waiting, waiting....then, it finally happened. I received 2 invitations within minutes of each other. (Thank you Jeremy and Kristen!) With excitement, I signed on (at about 12:45 am EST) and was immediately overwhelmed: What to do? Where to go? Who to circle? For that matter, what was a circle? Who goes in my circle and once they are there, what does than mean?!?!

Here are a few of the recent resources about Google+ that have come across my twitter or facebook feeds. (Thanks to all the great people I follow who are so willing to share this info!) If you are new to Google+, like me, these should help you being to navigate this new networking tool. I know I'm still struggling!

So, if you decide to join Google+, be sure to look me up and "circle me".


http://edreach.us/2011/07/10/going-mobile-with-google/
http://www.marketingprofessor.com/social-marketing/40-google-plus-tips-for-newbies/

http//www.networkworld.com/news/2011/070611-google-privacy-5-settings-you.html

http://http//momswithapps.com/2011/07/10/where-are-we-going-with-google/

http://www.localseoguide.com/google-plus-shortcuts-tips/

Looking for some fun activities??

If you are looking for some fun activities to do with your kids, check out this site.  If gives ideas for simple sensory activities that can be done almost anywhere and in any space. Great for home, classroom, or almost anywhere kids need a sensory break. And we know that ALL kids need a sensory break sometime!

• 99 Sensory Activities For Any Child | Mommy Poppins - Things to Do in NYC with Kids
  tags: sensoryautismsped

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Don't Leave Your device in the sun/heat!!!

Read this post from Lillie's Pad about leaving iPad's in the heat! (I'm pretty sure that goes for any electronic device, such as iPod, cell phones, talkers. Extreme temperatures can harm electronic devices and limit the performance!)

Please take good care of all of your electronic devices and do NOT leave those devices (talkers, iPads, camera, etc.) in the car!

http://lilliespad.squarespace.com/special-needs-ipad-blog/2011/7/6/important-an-ipad-iphone-warning-you-will-want-to-avoid.html

Stay cool my friends!

~Melanie

Free APP

I received an email from HarperCollins announcing a new free app companion to WARRIORS, the cat adventure fantasy series from author Erin Hunter. The WARRIORS app is currently listed on Apple's New and Noteworthy section in the App Store. The app includes facts about cats and clans, information on how to download WARRIORS ebooks, plus WARRIOR trivia. 

I am not familiar with the WARRIORS series, but if I was or if I had a big cat lover in the house, I think this app would be a nice addition to my app collection.....and it's FREE! I have not previewed this app as of this post, but I look forward to checking it out!

Click here for WARRIORS app in the itunes store.

~ Melanie

Survey says....

HI! 

I am creating a presentation about using iPads/apps within the classroom. I would like to get some (VERY INFORMAL) data on what you think are important characteristics of various apps or what is the first thing you think of for a specific type of app. 

If you have a few minutes, please fill out this survey and submit. Once the answers are collected, I will be creating visuals to use within my presentation. By no means is this scientific...I just wanted a chance to get information for my presentation and officially use Google forms for the first time! 

**update** survey will be available until July 11th**

Thank you for your time! 

Melanie 

@teachwtechbrox