Thinkbinder

Probably I saw this on FreeTech4Teachers, but regardless of the source, I decided to check out ThinkBinder as a tool for my school tech committee.

After signing up, I took it for a spin as much as I could sitting at my parents’ computer. I really like the tools and interface. The top navigation area is general for groups, messages, etc.

Within the thinkbinder window, there are tabs for feed, files, whiteboard, and search. In the feed window, there are  sort by and posting tools. The whiteboard brings up a collaborative whiteboard, and the files window allows for adding files. Binder settings and the chat pane are located to the right. It is a very clean interface that should be a fun place to organize my tech group around what we need to do for the rest of the year. I have tried out the binder button I added to the browser, and it works like a charm. It allows for comments and tags. I even played with the video chat option. Lots of power in a very simple interface.

I could do the same through any number of collaborative suites and even Google Docs, but I just felt like trying something new.


Drawing Outside the Lines or Cells

 I was thinking about having my third graders learn how to use a spreadsheet, and I still think I’ll do that. However, a tool from freetech4teachers caught my eye.

I may intro data using Many Eyes, a data visualizer powered by IBM. This is way beyond Wordle, but my iPad at home can’t access it very well. I can’t wait to develop some curriculum tomorrow at school!