"Beginnings are always messy." ~John Galsworthy

I ran into a problem last week and have wondered since then how exactly to fix it.  I am a fixer.  I find that my kids know what to do once they get to a website but they forget their password.  OR they cannot find an APP.  So today we are going to work on getting things organized.  I have some ideas.

1.  Bookmarks on Homepage - The websites we use the most need to have their own bookmark on the homepage of our iPads.  I would like this bookmark to be cute.  I am not sure how to send a cute picture of a self made icon out to everyone.  BUT - Here is the place where I found step by step directions on how to make a website have a bookmark on the home screen of your iPad.

How to bookmark MOST used websites on your iPad.

After following the easy directions above, I have found that sending the "CUTE" app that I created - may take time.  It IS easy to create a bookmark with a screenshot of the page.  It takes minutes.  Cute takes time.

2.  Digital Access Folder - Even with the shortcuts to the websites, my students are having a difficult time remembering ALL of the passwords they need to remember.  I try to encourage them to use the same passwords for things, but sometimes it isn't possible.  I also wanted something that was portable.  They cannot take their ipads home, but they can take a folder home if they need to.

So, today in my classroom we made a "digital access folder".  I used brightly colored file folders and had the kids make a chart inside.  They glued the QR code, wrote their personal username and password.  The QR code is included in case they just want to scan the code to get to the site.

QR Code Card for the Wall

3.  Resource Wall - As with everything - teachers like things up on the wall.  I am adding a larger picture of the QR codes we use most often on a bulletin board on the wall.  If a child cannot find their folder - they can use the QR code wall to navigate quickly.  I will also have hints to the passwords for the site on the back of the QR code card.

4.  Edmodo - There is always more than one way to organize.  Another way I organize my kids is to put links to sites inside our private classroom Edmodo page.  Edmodo looks like Facebook.  It is more like a digital backpack for my students.  They are able to go in and see newsletters, bookmarked sites, respond to questions or discussion, and even earn badges.



5.  Finding Apps - We are going to put our apps in the same order on our iPads.  This will make everything easier to find.  Also, if a friend helps - they know exactly where to look.  To move apps, hold one app down until they all wiggle and then touch and drag it to where you want it to be.

It is also ok to use the search.  If you open to your homepage and swipe your finger to the right - you will see a search box.  Type in the app you are looking for and the ipad will find the app for you.