I really want to get this blog going, but there never seems to be enough time in the day. I think I am going to have to make a time commitment each day. I have started my EdD studies so, not only am I being physically crafty I have been learning to be digitally crafty. I promise more to come and sooner posts.

Saving Time

It seems that in order to connect to everyone online you have to have multiple personas. Not only do you have to post to multiple sites, but you have to read the posts to stay connected. In order to free up more time while staying/ getting I am trying HootSuite. I am hoping if it works well for my personal accounts I will try it with my school accounts. If this works it will give me a lot more time to work on the things I enjoy. Do you have a favorite way to organize your social networks?

Creative Technology

For class today I watched the 2014 Tech Share opening speakers. Now why as a crafty person with a crafty blog would I be writing to tell you about my homework about a tech conference....because of an awesome app I learned about and the family has spent the day playing with. The app is called coLAR and can be found at www.colarapp.com . With this app you print pictures to color then using the app you are able to see your coloring in 3D. Hard to explain here, but go to the site and watch the video. Once you see it you have to try it yourself. The app and some of the coloring pages are free. Other coloring packages are $2.99. Technology and creativity together is awesome!

The nice thing about taking classes in instructional technology is that I get to learn about and try out a lot of new programs and apps. Maybe you have seen Bit Strips on Facebook or other social media. They are fun little comic strips you create yourself. They have a web site for schools/ educators which is nice because it does not limit the amount you write (at least not that I have found) and allows the teacher to preview before anything is posted. Here is the Bit Strip I created for an assignment The instructor wanted us to create our report/ paper using web 2.0 tools. I want to try Bit Strips with my students, but I think I am going to have to be very specific with time limits so they do not waste time creating characters. Which I have to admit is fun.

I am in my second semester as a doctoral student. This is a new challenge with work and family, but it is something I have wanted for a long time. What it is really forcing me to do is sit down and learn all the tools that are available to help me stay organized and connected. I was also made the social administrator for my school and I have decided with a birthday approaching I better take my health seriously so I have started working out. This does not mean the crafting is stopping it just means I will be trying some new things digitally. My newest love is Google+. It has so many features I am finding helpful as a teacher and student. Have you tried any Google Communities?