Backup, Backup, Backup (3-2-1 Rule)

Posted on August 26, 2010 by Mr. Heyer

Leo Laporte has mentioned this rule about backing up computer files a couple times. This week on Macbreak Weekly, he finally gave the website:

The 3-2-1 Rule

The simplest way to remember how to back up your images safely is to use the 3-2-1 rule.

  • We recommend keeping 3 copies of any important file (a primary and two backups)
  • We recommend having the files on 2 different media types (such as hard drive and optical media), to protect against different types of hazards.
  • 1 copy should be stored offsite (or at least offline).

I accomplish this by backing up my computer to both to a USB hard drive and to an online backup service like Mozy.com or Carbonite.

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Of Course Teachers Deserve Respect, Duh!

Posted on August 15, 2010 by Mr. Heyer

[portrait of Jamee Miller in her classroom]

Jamee Miller

Or: “What Don’t Teachers Do?”

Florida Teacher’s Essay Becomes Rallying Cry for Respect | NEA Today

When people were attacking her and her fellow dedicated public school teachers, Florida fourth-grade teacher Jamee Miller got mad. And then she got to typing.

The result? An essay called “I Am a Teacher” which caught fire in recent weeks on Facebook and blogs as supporters of teachers attacked by budget-slashing lawmakers and critics trying to score political points took it to heart and then took it online.

Glad to see this gets some attention. Teachers deserve as much (if mot more) respect as other professionals. We really are learning experts. Too bad everyone thinks they know best when it comes to kids. What would medicine look like if it were perceived like teaching is.

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Exploratorium Music

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Mr. Heyer

I’ve been a member of the Exploratorium hands-on science museum since I was a little kid. Here’s a video exploring a feature on their website, “Science of Music: Exploratorium’s Accidental Scientist.”

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Touch the Strings by Mark McCain and Erika Johnson – Album Review

Posted on August 1, 2010 by Mr. Heyer

[album cover]

modern classical, Celtic, bluegrass, and jazz

Album: Touch the Strings (CD) by Mark McCain and Erika Johnson.

I included a whole album suggestion because this CD is great for times when students need to work silently. Some pieces may help to keep up a student’s pace during journal writing. Other songs are good for silent reading.

Lyrics: None (instrumental).

Style: Guitarist and Cellist playing modern classical, Celtic, bluegrass, and jazz. Peaceful, positive, energizing, and uplifting.

Recommended Age: Any.

Genre: Strings.

Year: 2003.

Videos: Live performances from TouchTheStrings.com.

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Add A Due Date To Email Subject Lines

Posted on July 30, 2010 by Mr. Heyer

[email icon]

Time spent on a quality subject line will, in the long run, save you more time than you spend.

I have to admit I didn’t even read the suggestions for improved email communication (because I thought I already knew it all) in my CFISD Teacher Leadership Academy binder, but luckily another teacher did–and shared!

I’m big on using subject lines effectively and efficiently, so I think it’s a great idea to to put “(please respond by [date])” into the subject line of emails with a due date. No need to open the email to see if it’s urgent. It might even be a good idea to write “(reference only)” for email that is just for reference.

This complements something I’ve been doing a few years: I put “(takes X minutes)” into my subject lines, so I can get a quick response from something that should be quick.

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