Apps to Help Get Things Done

I’m always looking for apps that keep my online work organized and efficient because I work from a variety of locations and on a number of different computers. Here’s a couple that have been a big help.

Foxmarks

I use multiple browsers for my online work as each has different qualities that appeal to me. Doing so has caused the unfortunate problem of not having the same bookmarks available to each browser. Though most can import bookmark files from other browsers, their implementation is often cumbersome and much editing has to be done upon uploading. For the last few years I’ve used a program called “Foxmarks” to sync bookmarks across the Firefox browser installed on my home office and workplace desktops and laptop. A new version of Foxmarks now syncs across Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer (if you unfortunately have to use it). Foxmarks has worked flawlessly for me and I highly recommend it. Check out the video below

Firefox Wired-Marker Extension

I’m a big fan of the Firefox browser largely because you can customize it to suit your needs. A number of browser add-ons or “extensions” have been created to do all sorts of things. One that I like is the “Wired-Marker” extension that lets you highlight text on a web page like you do in a print textbook and permanetly stored. Watch the video below to see how it can work with your online reading.

The downside is your highlights are stored on the computer that you make the highlights on. The highlighted web page text is not available if you move to a different computer. One way to get around this is to use the portable version of Firefox that can be installed on a flash drive. Students can take the USB drive to class with their laptop, fire up Portable Firefox, then highlight and annotate online lecture notes. No matter where they are at, their highlighted lecture notes are available on the USB flash drive.

Physical Geography Podcast

I am developing a set of podcasts for introductory physical geography. These are mostly aimed at procedures used in an introductory physical geography lab courses. They are free to download and use.

Podcasts currently available:

• Calculating Noon Sun Angle
• Map Scale
• Topographic Profiles

View them at my site or download free from the iTunes store

Landforms on Topographic Maps

 

The Unit 4 exam will include several questions dealing with the use of topographic maps. Many will ask you to identify  landforms created by fluvial and glacial processes. An extensive list of landforms depicted on topographic maps is available here. It serves a a good resource for studying for the exam.

Biome Characteristics Matrix

Unit 3 is another very comprehensive unit. You’ll be investigating spatial patterns found in the hydrosphere and biosphere. The goal of the unit is to have a basic understanding of what creates patterns of vegetation, animals and soils. These patterns are certainly related patterns of climate, particularly temperature and precipitation.

World Biomes will be a rather significant component of Unit 2. To aid in organizing your notes, create a “biome characteristics matrix”.  I’ve created a sample and filled in a few of the cells to give you an idea of what to enter. Create your own and fill in the cells as you read through your online textbook.

Google Calendar

I’ve been using Google Calendar (GCal) to manage my academic and personal life for several years. Having a calendar online and always accessible from any Internet-connected computer is a real convenience. With GCal you can create specific calendars for the various aspects of your life, I have one for each course I teach, one for my professional consulting work, and one for my personal life. All calendars are color coded and viewable within a neatly organized window. Calendars can be synced to many desktop applications and even calendar apps on your cell phone. Calendars can be kept private or shared.

I’ve added a GCal calendar widget to your D2L course portal. I have it set to “Agenda” view but you can also view by “Week” or “Month” by clicking on their tabs. At the bottom of the widget is a button to add the course calendar as one of your personal Google calendar. It will automatically update as I add or revise course activities.

Here’s a few links about Google Calendar:

• Google Calendar
• The 3 Best Ways to Use Google Calendar as a College Student
• Google Calendar for Educators
• Sync with Outlook – Windows only
• Sync calendars with Calgoo
• Top 8 Free Google Tools and Services for College Students

Studying World Climates – Climate Information Matrix

Maps courtesy of www.theodora.com/maps used with permission

There is a lot of material to cover for the second unit test as it covers global climates. One way to synthesize your notes on global climate is to create a climate information matrix (linked here). Each column to the right of the list of climates refers to controls over climate. These are:

Global Wind and Pressure Belts

Air Masses

Cyclones (meaning polar front (midlatitude) and arctic front cyclones)

Topography (e.g. leeward or windward influence)

Ocean Currents (cold or warm current influence)

Other (unique characteristics to remember)

Check it out, I hope it helps.

Web Apps for College Students

Photo credit: Dusan Jankovic

I’m a firm believer in the use of Web apps like Google docs.They are appealing because your data is stored online and thus accessible from any computer connected to the Internet. Having you data “in the cloud” as they say, makes it accessible if you are working in your dorm or apartment, the library, or in the Brewhaus. Some, like Google Docs, can make a copy of your data on your personal computer for offline access and then automatically sync any changes once you go back online.

The blog “ReadWriteWeb” has compiled their top 10 list of Web apps for college students. I use and endorse most of them. Check them out.

Hacking College Life

I’m all in favor of using the best the Web offers for getting by (or ahead) in school. The Lifehacker blog has a back to school roundup of web services that may make your school life easier and possibly more enjoyable. Make sure to check out the “Implement Stealth Studying” link.

Go to:  HackCollege’s Back-to-School Essential Student Know-How

Also check out the previous Geography 101 blog posting “Getting Things Done in Geography 101″

If you’ve found good a “life hacking” site, let me know!

Soil Moisture Budgets: Calculating Monthly Storage

I’m often asked for help in calculating soil moisture storage. Examine the soil moisture budget for Vancouver, Washington below while listening to the audio file.

Listen to the explanation by clicking on the player button below.

Is Distance Learning Right For You?

This blog is accessible to both my online and on-campus sections of Geography 101. Though the majority of the on-campus sections are conducted face-to-face, but an online component is required during the semester. The article Is Distance Learning Right For You? may be of interest to those considering taking this course totally online.