It was once a nightmare of students to lose their files to a faulty disk or
malfunctioned computer. Today there are dozens of companies that offer the
service of storing your files on their servers, giving you the ability to
upload and download your files from anyplace that has an internet connection as
well as any necessary software for transferring the files. Dropbox is one such
tool that allow you the flexibility to access and use your digital material no
matter where you are.
Dropbox is a site and a program that allows you to quickly
and easily upload and download your files to and from their servers. It is as
simple as clicking on your file and dragging to the Dropbox folder when you
wish to upload. To download, open Dropbox or access it online (dropbox.com) and
drag or download the file, depending on the device you are using. Dropbox can
be used on computers, tablets, and smartphones. A pdf file that provides a quick
tutorial for usage is waiting in the folder once you download the software.
Concerning pedagogical use, I see Dropbox being most
advantageous for providing safe storage of files for both teachers as well as
older students. Assignments will not typically be as complex for elementary
aged students to justify storage of large projects to be regularly accessed
from places outside of school. That said, there are benefits to introducing
students to new technologies at a younger age, even if some resources won’t be
fully realized or utilized until they are older. For secondary, undergraduate
and graduate students, however, this tool is valuable for providing the student
the access and reliability required to be flexible in navigating their academic
pursuits. Teachers will see the same benefit in being able to access their work
beyond the classroom.
Here’s a screenshot of me saving myself a ton of gray hair
should my computer fail and memory keys suddenly disappear:
As with many popular sites, finding this tool is as easy as
typing its name in an app store or going to www.dropbox.com
The cost of Dropbox is free in its basic form, providing you
with 2 GB of storage. However, recommending friends can get you up to 16GB. If
you wish to upgrade to Dropbox Pro, the price is 9.99 a month (or $99/year) for
a 1 TB (1,000 GB). Dropbox also offers a business package, giving a minimum of
5 users 1 TB each at $12.50 a month per user.
Teachers would want to take the 5 minutes to learn this tool
for one simple reason: piece of mind. As convenient as technology has made our
lives, it can also bring problems and frustrations when it fails. Having
another place to store your valuable digital material is a valuable insurance
that costs only the few minutes you’re willing to invest in using it.
(Click on the link above for descriptions of the following standards this tool can address.)
Creativity and innovation (a. b.)
Communication and collaboration (a. b. d.)
Research and information fluency (b)
Digital citizenship (a. b.)
Technology operations and concepts (a. b. c. d.)
(Click on the link above for descriptions of the following standards this tool can address.)
Facilitate and Inspire student learning and
creativity (a. b)
Model digital age work and learning (a. b.)
Promote and model digital citizenship and
responsibility (a.)
Engage in professional growth and leadership (a.)
Resources:
Information on Dropbox:
Pricing information: https://www.dropbox.com/pro , https://www.dropbox.com/business/pricing ,
ISTE standards for Teachers http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-teachers
ISTE Standards for Students http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-students
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