Back to School 101: Stay in the Know, on the Go

     Back to school can be exciting, but also an overwhelming time for students, family members and teachers. Getting back into the swing of things always takes some adjustment, whether you have kids or not. Technology can help transition you to getting back into the groove of your fall and winter routines with you and your younger family members going back to school organized as the back to school season kicks off, as well as enabling better moments through simplifying and enhancing your lives. 


      Whether students forget to check for homework assignments or miss class due to illness, students don’t want to fall behind.  Access to information and connecting with teachers and other students is just a click away with the help of smartphones and tablets.

     According to a recent survey by U.S. Cellular, 74 percent of households with children under the age of 18 have at least one tablet. Tablets and smartphones are becoming a simple tool to ensure students keep making the grade.

     According to a recent Student Mobile Device Survey conducted by Harris Interactive, 87 percent of students would like to use digital textbooks so they don’t have to carry so much in their backpacks.  And half of those students surveyed use their pocket-friendly smartphones instead of tablets.  With the size of high school textbooks, I think my son's fellow students might agree.


     Tablets are also being used in the classroom; learning apps, eBooks, online educational videos and internet access can all enhance the learning experience. My son's school district has a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy in place that both students and parents sign off on to ensure available technology is safely used and monitored, while utilizing the district wireless internet access network so students can use their personal devices for educational purposes with parent and teacher permission.

     Our local school district also debuted a school district mobile app that I promptly downloaded on my iPhone 5s.  It's their website full of information now at the touch of an app on my phone.
     Students, teachers and parents can optimize their connected learning experience with the help of the following apps recommended by U.S. Cellular:

Skype (Android) / Facetime (iOS): These free Internet video calling services allow teachers and students to collaborate wherever they are.  Teachers can bring guest speakers into class to discuss their expertise, thereby demonstrating how school subjects are relevant to real life.  Students can take virtual field trips anywhere in the world.  No permission slip required.

Teacher’s Assistant Pro: Featured in USA Today as one of the best teacher apps, Teacher’s Assistant Pro ($3.99 download) allows teachers to keep track of student actions, behaviors and achievements in the classroom. Using an iPhone or iPad, teachers can record student infractions and accolades, create a detailed written description of the event, and communicate with parents, reducing time consuming paperwork.

Notability: This powerful note-taker app is free and allows iOS and Android users to complete worksheets, sketch ideas, keep a journal, integrate photos and record a lecture, and keep it all in one place.  Use the search feature to quickly locate notes by title or content.  Share with others using iCloud or Google Drive.  My son's last school utilized Google Drive to share files several students collaborated on.

DropBox: This cloud-based file sharing and storage free app lets users circulate files from different locations over different networks.  Turn in and return assignments, provide up-to-date syllabi from different locations quickly, and post grades securely and easily.

      U.S. Cellular is donating $1 million to fund teacher classroom projects through its Calling All Teachers program. Last year, the company contributed $500,000 towards educational materials for improved classroom experiences. U.S. Cellular is working with DonorsChoose.org for a fourth time and encourages teachers to post their projects on the site for potential funding. DonorsChoose.org is a charity website that helps teachers identify funds from corporate and individual donations for classroom projects.

     Through U.S. Cellular's ongoing commitment to the community and education, the company has contributed more than $7 million through this and other philanthropic programming. Starting today K-12 public school teachers can register online at DonorsChoose.org and affiliate as a U.S. Cellular teacher. Then beginning August 11, they can post their classroom projects for funding consideration. Through DonorsChoose.org U.S. Cellular has funded more than 4,500 classroom projects to date, which included technology tools, art equipment and science experiments. All projects must be submitted by September 21 to be eligible for this year’s funding.  Selected projects will be in announced in October.

     And we enjoy better moments as well through after school activities.  My son plays football and using his iPhone 5s, he can let me know if it's practice as usual, or a change in time for me to pick him up after school.

     Don't forget about the Device Workshops in your area.  Check out these upcoming events in the WI area.

     And another helpful back-to-school idea is using a Parent-Child Agreement to ensure both you and your child are on the same page for phone usage.

Disclosure:  I have been compensated by U.S. Cellular for my post.  All opinions expressed are my own.

July is National Cellphone Courtesy month

Have you ever found yourself at a store checkout and the person in front of you is on the phone and making the cashier (and you) wait?

Just today, a lady had the music on her phone blasting while she shopped. Really.

How about the movies? We watch the previews and the dancing characters tell us to turn off our phones. So why all of a sudden does the person a few rows down need to check for messages and blind you with that bright phone light? And where there's one, more follow suit.

July is National Cellphone Courtesy month and U.S. Cellular is celebrating by promoting positive cell phone etiquette.

Technology can enable better moments through simplifying and enhancing your life. We all want to be able to reached by family members and friends.

In my own personal life, when visiting with my mom who is in assisted living, we are concentrating on spending time with her and no one talks on their phone and texts can wait until we leave. When my son and I go for a neighborhood walk, he does get text messages but generally waits to talk/text to friends until we are back home, avoiding the evil eye.

My husband is self-employed so he relies on his U.S. Cellular iPhone 5s and 4G LTE network to be connected to his customers.

According to a recent U.S. Cellular survey, 37 percent of users say others get upset with them for phone use, while 63 percent say they get upset at others for phone use.  {Between Nov. 15 and Dec. 2, 2013, 500 nationally representative online interviews were conducted among smartphone users in partnership with Maritz Research.]

A Pew Research survey found that 67 percent of cellphone owners find themselves checking their phones for messages, alerts or calls – even when they don’t notice their phone ringing or vibrating. That means a lot of people are checking devices at any given time or place, and since July is National Cellphone Courtesy Month it is the perfect time to talk about the expectations and practices of wireless device users of all ages.

As may be expected smartphone owners who are over the age of 54 have stronger etiquette beliefs than younger users. Among adults 55-64, 82 percent think it is rude to check your phone while talking with someone else, and 80 percent think it is rude to check while dining.

63 percent of users 18-34 think it is rude to be on your phone while talking to someone else, while 57 percent think it is rude to check while dining.

Women are more likely to prefer texting over men. They are also more likely to have checked or used their phone to avoid conversations.

63 percent of people believe that no one gets upset at them for their phone use.This is the same proportion that sometimes gets upset with others for using their phone or tablet.

Tips for improving courtesy by busy cellphone users:

Set the ground rules. If you have plans to meet a relative for dinner or spend happy hour with a group of friends, discuss expectations for phone use. By determining technology use before the gathering, everyone is able to enjoy the occasion. We're making plans to celebrate a relative's birthday at a restaurant and we plan on leaving the phones off. Enjoy better moments with your family!

Seek to understand. Focus on similarities instead of differences and set a goal to understand those around you. By understanding other’s wireless device use, you’ll be more courteous of their expectations.

Don’t be a buzz kill. Putting a phone on vibrate during a meeting or event can be a good idea, as vibration mode is meant to alert only you. However, it can distract others if the phone is placed on a table in a meeting or meal. Put the phone in a pocket, where it can alert you to a call but isn’t disturbing others, please!. If you forget to turn off the ringer and get an unexpected call, phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S5 stop ringing by simply flipping over the device.

Avoid being blinded by the light. Adjust screen brightness prior to entering a dimly lit space, such as a restaurant, recital or school play. This allows you to use the device to take photos or use social media without disturbing those around you. Now, I don't use social media at a school function, only taking photos if allowed and sharing them when function is over. At my son's school open house last year, a father took a phone call during one of the classroom teacher information sessions. He walked to the side of the room, should have left the classroom. There is a reason phones have an off, or silent button. Great reason to use it. Went to a school play and proud parents recording the video, but their phone is in others way of enjoying the show and hard work on the part of the kids as well. I know they want to share it with others, but be respectful of those around you.

Do you have any tips to add to this list? Please share them with me below in the comments section.

And don't forget last months post! Use a parent-child cellphone agreement that you can customize.

Disclosure: I have been compensated for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

U.S. Cellular's Better Day - Milwaukee Brewers and WI State Fair Ticket Giveaway

U.S. Cellular will visit communities throughout the U.S. to enhance summer and provide residents with unique experiences at their favorite local businesses, block parties, community parks and major events as part of the Better Day program.  U. S. Cellular's Band of Better, a community outreach team are making appearances to promote it's Better Day initiative in 15 cities across the country at more than 360 events.   U.S. Cellular is providing me with the opportunity to give away 2 tickets to my blog readers to 2 local events, Milwaukee Brewer's Game, Friday, July  25th at Miller Park and the Wisconsin State Fair (July 31-Aug 10).  U.S. Cellular’s “Band of Better,” the company’s community outreach team, will surprise residents in a variety of ways, including giveaways and other items to help enjoy summer to its fullest.

The initiative will be capped off by a community beautification project meant to leave an impression in select cities to further showcase U.S. Cellular’s commitment to the community.

U.S. Cellular is excited to provide communities with everything they need to create better moments together this summer.

I’m offering two tickets to one lucky blog reader for a Milwaukee Brewers game and 2 tickets to a second winner for the Wisconsin State Fair!

I'm excited as I am also being given tickets for these events.  I plan on attending the Brewers game with my teenage son.  Hopefully he won't be texting his friends the entire time!  We will be sure to tweet a picture of us, @shouldhavetho.  Who knows, maybe we will run into Hank the dog.  I look forward to also meeting my winning blog reader as well as U.S. Cellular's Band of Better!

Another great local event to be sure to attend this summer is the Great Wisconsin State Fair.   11 days of fun, food, exhibits and more.  There is something for everyone to eat or buy or watch.  I'll post pictures from my day there as well.  I look forward to the fair every year.  With U.S. Cellular, these 2 local events for me will surely make for a #BetterDay!

Please comment below how you plan on creating Better Moments with your family this summer and which event you would like a chance to win: Milwaukee Brewer tickets for Friday, July 25th or Wisconsin State Fair Tickets.  Please include your email address in the comments to be used only to contact the winners.  You may comment up to 2 times, one for each event. Deadline is: July 14th at noon, CDT, winners will be contacted at email address provided and have 48 hours to respond with mailing address.   Winners will be picked via random number generator. If winner doesn't respond, an alternate will be picked, as I want to ensure the tickets arrive in time.

Disclosure:  I have been compensated by U.S. Cellular for my post.  All opinions expressed are my own.


GIVEAWAY IS OVER!

·       

U.S. Cellular Better Moments Parent Child Agreement

Last July, I shared U.S. Cellular's Customizable Parent-Child Agreement.  This agreement focuses on safety and etiquette and summer is once again the perfect time to consider if your child is old enough for a cell phone and perhaps implement you own customizable Better Moments Parent-Child Agreement to be set in place for you and your kids. Now that my own child has a smartphone, having an agreement between us helps set boundaries for safe usage. No one else is allowed to use his phone, except in case of emergency to phone their parents.

 In a recent U.S. Cellular survey, respondents indicated that 13 was an appropriate age for a child to receive their first mobile phone, whereas five years ago this age was 15.[Disclaimer: Between Nov. 15 and Dec. 2, 2013, 500 nationally representative online interviews were conducted among smartphone users in partnership with Maritz Research.]

For parents who have just purchased a new mobile device for their child, U.S. Cellular recommends the following tips to help ensure their children’s usage is both safe and courteous:

Establish guidelines: According to the U.S. Cellular Better Moments survey, 72% of families have rules regarding child’s cell phone use.  [Between Nov. 15 and Dec. 2, 2013, 500 nationally representative online interviews were conducted among smartphone users in partnership with Maritz Research.] To help make this conversation as easy as possible for all parents, U.S. Cellular’s Parent-Child Agreement provides customizable suggestions on safety and etiquette that focus on creating better moments within families. The intention is to make this work for each individual family, and to show how technology can enhance time spent together as a family.  We also keep in touch via phone or text if the family is away from home.

Set up their phone: Take the time to set up your child’s phone to ensure they only have access to phone features and apps that are appropriate for their age. The U.S. Cellular Family Protector App provides safety and security by allowing parents to block websites, restrict the downloading of applications, and more.  My son asks me if it's ok to put certain apps on his phone.

Monitor usage: Regularly checking in on your child’s mobile phone usage can ensure they are using their phone safely and responsibly. The Family Protector app allows parents to monitor call content including text messages, contacts and call history. It can also set schedules for usage to ensure children are not using their device at school and can also set time limits for using the internet once home.  Many schools limit cell phone usage so this can come in very handy.

Have you ever checked out U.S. Cellular Device Workshops?  You can learn more about cutting-edge devices like the iPhone 5s or Samsung Galaxy S5 and the reliability of U.S. Cellulars's 4G LTE network.

And, as far as the Parent Child Agreement, U.S. Cellular will offer free Device Workshops in July that focus on this very topic. At the workshops, U.S. Cellular associates will offer families tips on setting phone guidelines and share suggestions to help with the decision of getting their child their first cell phone. 

For a list of Device Workshops in your area, visit www.uscellular.com/events.

Please let me know if the comments if you plan on using this handy Better Moments Parent Child Agreement in your family.

Disclosure:  I have been provided this information by U.S.Cellular and have been compensated for my posts.  All opinions expressed are my own.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 in IMAX

Looking for an action-packed weekend of fun for the whole family? Head to your local IMAX® Theater for the premiere of How to Train Your Dragon 2!



Starting this Friday, June 13th, the second chapter of DreamWorks Animation's belovedHow to Train Your Dragon franchise is soaring to all IMAX theatres domestically in select engagements. The IMAX 3D release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience®, creating a unique environment that will make audiences feel as though they are flying alongside heroic Viking Hiccup and his faithful dragon, Toothless.

Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, T.J. Miller, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Kristen Wiig reprise their respective voice roles, joined this time by Academy Award® winner Cate Blanchett, Djimon Honsou and Kit Harington.

For more information about How to Train Your Dragon 2, please visit DreamWorks Animation's official website.

For IMAX Theater locations and local showtimes click here! 

Disclosure:  This information has been provided to me by IMAX.