Thinking about what I teach and why I teach it

I am working on a unit on adaptations right now and students are watching Life - Hunters and Hunted.  It's a fantastic video and I am willing to commit the 50 minutes of class time to it because I don't know of a better way for students to see so many evolved adaptations and analyze them.  One thing that I have taken to doing is pausing the video after a specific scene



After this scene I always share how curious it is to me that everyone feels bad that the rabbit gets caught (spoiler alert if you didn't watch the video)  I point out that rarely does anyone say "Oh!... poor stoat its going to starve if the rabbit gets away"  But people don't I try to open up perspectives that animals aren't mean or nasty just hungry! Why do I do this?  I guess I really do want students to think differently than the did before my class.  I am biased.  I want them to behave differently.

I am biased

http://readingagency.org.uk/news/blog/neil-gaiman-lecture-in-full.html 

New Grant opportunities

The link to the STEM camps and competition grant application is finally available on our website. Please pass on this information to students, parents and teachers so they can apply for available funds. We would love to help as many students as possible as they prepare for their projects.

The link can be found at the following website http://business.utah.gov/programs/STEM/.  Applicants need to click on the link labeled “ STEM Camps and Competitions Application.”

If you need additional information contact:

The STEM Action Center

801-538-8678

STEM@utah.gov

Hawkwatch

Raptor Biology Through the Seasons: Fall Migration, Winter Survival, and Spring Nesting Outreach Program

(9-12 Biology classes in public and charter schools) This is a FREE program provided with State iSEE RFP funds. 

This outreach program makes use of HWI’s 30 plus years of raptor migration data, scientific research, and our live education raptors to discuss topics including migration, evolution, adaptations, the food chain, predator-prey relationships, data interpretation, understanding different kinds of data, natural selection, the life cycle of raptors, and the use of field guides and dichotomous keys to align with the Utah Core Standards. The program includes a hands-on data element, utilizing real HWI data gathered from our Goshute Mountains raptor migration research site. The use of “live” data encourages critical thinking about what data tell us. Examples include comparing both numerical and categorical data to evaluate correlation, relativity, and comparison of variables to make inferences.

We will be providing programs north of Provo along the Wasatch front including Provo, Alpine, Wasatch, Canyons, Jordan, Murray, Canyons, Granite, Park City, North and South Summit, Morgan, Salt Lake, Davis, Ogden, Weber, Cache, Logan, Rich, Box Elder, and Tooele for this school year.  

We are planning a specific visit for outreach to St. George January 23 – February 6, 2014 and would like to set up visits with high schools in that vicinity during that time period.

Contact Nikki Wayment at nwayment@hawkwatch.org to schedule a FREE program for your Biology classes.

HawkWatch International is a non-profit scientific conservation organization whose mission is to conserve the environment through education, long-term monitoring, and scientific research on raptors as indicators of ecosystem health.  The Education Department at HawkWatch International (HWI) works to inspire the public’s passion for raptors, translating that passion into increased appreciation of and participation in conservation and science.  The purpose of our education programs is to help build a more environmentally literate general public that understands the responsibilities we have to wildlife and the environment we share, and understand the challenges humans face in protecting and conserving the environment to sustain a healthy ecosystem for all living creatures for future generations. Our school-based education programs work to address the science and math gaps among students, and assist teachers in providing tools that inspire passion for learning these topics through real

world examples and career opportunities.

Please share this opportunity with educators who have Biology courses in your community.  If you have questions about Hawkwatch or this specific program, please contact  

Nikki Wayment ‎[nwayment@hawkwatch.org]‎. If you have questions about iSEE programs please visit the website: www.iSEEUtah.org for more information about our current iSEE institutions.

More science stuff

Science Community Opportunities
October 16, 2013

Here are more great opportunities for our community! Check out the experiences below to become more engaged in the science community around us:

·         Outstanding Educator Award

·         REFUGES Part-Time Job Opportunity

·         Tundra Connections

·         Hour of Code

·         U-S2TEM Scholars Program

·         Engineering is Elementary Scholarship

·         Engineering Day

·         Botany Bins Teacher Resource Kit and Workshop

·         Water Education Workshop

·         Innovation Studio: Design Thinking & 21st Century Learning

·         Salt Lake Valley Science and Engineering Fair: Call for Volunteers

·         Free Posters

·         Goings on at the Department of Physics and Astronomy

Scroll down for details.

PLT Outstanding Educator Award

What: USEE’s recognition for educators’ efforts and commitment to environmental education
When: The deadline for submissions is October 18th

Notes: Nominees must be trained in PLT, anyone can nominate an educator, and self-nomination is encouraged

Website: http://www.usee.org/get-involved/awards-program

Contact: Charice Bourdeaux, charice@usee.org

The Utah Society for Environmental Education (USEE) is calling for nominations for their PLT Outstanding Educator Award. All Outstanding Educator Honorees will receive an invitation to the Annual Environmental Educator Conference, recognition at the conference luncheon, certificate, and feature on the USEE website. Utah Outstanding Educators will receive paid registration to the conference, recognition at the luncheon, an award, nomination to the National PLT’s Outstanding Educator Award, and a feature in the USEE e-newsletter and website.

REFUGES Employment Opportunity

What: Part-time employment

Where: REFUGES (Refugees Exploring the Foundations of Undergraduate Education in Science

Recommendation: Background as a math or science teacher a plus

Website: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/27551

REFUGES (Refugees Exploring the Foundations of Undergraduate Education in Science) is looking for a licensed teacher to serve as the Program Supervisor and liaison between our program and 5 area high schools. The REFUGES program supports science and math workshops, homework help and tutoring in afterschool programs for Sudanese Youth in Action (SYA), Transitions for Refugee Youth (TRY), the Utah international Charter school, and Horizonte Instruction and Training Center.  We would like to develop our collaborations so that we can positively impact high school graduation rates and student success.

The position is part time, 10 hours per week, pays $35/hour, and includes partial benefits from the University of Utah. Interested candidates may apply at https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/27551.

Job Title:  Associate Instructor - Hourly

Job Posting Number: PRN02709N

Department:  01400 - Center for Science& Math Educ

Tundra Connections

What: Polar Bear International presents a free webcast series during the peak of polar bear migration
When: Webcasts begin Wednesday, October 23
Resource: See the attached PDF
Registration: Free registration at http://surveymonkey.com/s/tcregistrationfall2013

Website: http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/

Hour of Code

What: A one-hour intro to CS presented by Computer Science Education Week
When: December 9-15, 2013

Where: In the classroom

Registration: Deadline to register is October 31

Website: http://csedweek.org/

Share this with everyone in your school!

Prizes for EVERY Educator!
Every educator who hosts an Hour of Code will get a gift of 10GB of free DropBox storage. And I will personally donate a full class-set of laptops to one school in every state that hosts an Hour of Code for all its grades. Just register your school’s participation by Nov. 1 to qualify. http://csedweek.org/

To celebrate Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 9-15), Code.org and dozens of supporting partners are organizing the largest initiative of its kind: a campaign to get 10 million students of all ages to try computer science for one hour. I’m writing to ask your help.

What is the Hour of Code? No experience needed
It’s a one-hour intro to CS -- on a browser, smartphone, or unplugged. We expect teachers from all disciplines to host it in classrooms, and we’ll provide tutorials that require no prior experience. We’ll announce an amazing list of partners over the coming weeks, but we need your help.

Recruit your entire school to participate
Most students are intimidated by CS; this campaign is a chance to inspire them to try. Please recruit your principal and other teachers to get involved. Share this brochure, or this homemade how-to video. Or get creative and define your own “Hour of Code” activities.

More information see "Hour of Code" website: http://csedweek.org/

Please, start planning now and help make a difference.

U-S2TEM Scholars Program

What: STEM scholar program
Where: University of Utah
Registration: Priority application due by November 1st; however, the program will except applicants up to February 1st
Website: http://csme.utah.edu/s2stem-scholarships-for-sustainability-in-stem/

Our program provides a truly interdisciplinary experience with scholarship funds, cohort activities, mentoring and research opportunities, and an amazing opportunity to become part of the Honors College (including housing benefits).  We're looking for academically talented, yet financially challenged students.  The priority application date is Nov. 1 (highly recommended) but we will take applicants up to Feb. 1.

Engineering is Elementary Scholarships

What: Raytheon-EiE Teacher Scholarships
Resource: See Attached PDF
Registration: Deadline is November 1

Website: http://eie.org/ and http://eie.org/sites/default/files/linked_flyer_for_site.pdf

Engineering Day

What: The University of Utah celebrates Engineering Day
When: Saturday, November 9^th from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Where: Warnock Engineering Building at the University of Utah
Resource: See attached PDF
Registration: Registration opens Oct. 15^th, and space is limited

Website: http://www.coe.utah.edu/eng_day

Contact: Morgan Boyack, morgan.boyack@utah.edu

For your information, students who attend will have the opportunity to visit with academic advisors, see student research projects and tour three different engineering labs.  Please target students that are interested in Engineering, Math, Science and are interested in designing creative solutions to new technologies.  Please pass along this information to all math and science teachers.   Registration opens Oct. 15^th and space is limited.  For more detailed information please visitCoe.utah.edu/eng_day.

Botany Bins Teacher Resource Kit and Workshop

What: Red Butte Gardens’ first module of the Botany Bins Program launches with a workshop
When: Saturday, November 16th at 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Where: Red Butte Gardens

Recommendation: This will focus on a module titled “Ethnobotony: People and Plants”
Resource: See attached PDF
Website: http://www.redbuttegarden.org/

Contact: Email Sara Sorensen, education@redbutte.utah.edu

Water Education Workshop

What: “Water Energy in Action,” a teacher workshop for 4th-12th grade Utah educators
When: Tuesday, November 19

Where: Hogle Zoo, 2600 Sunnyside Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Recommendation: Participants will be eligible to receive a free Water Energy in Action kit and instructional binder, substitute stipend, and travel/hotel stipend
Resource: See attached PDF
Registration: The workshop is limited to 60 participants

Website: http://nef1.org/water/

Contact: Janet Hatch, janet@nef1.org

Innovation Studio: Design Thinking & 21st Century Learning

What: A two-day workshop for teachers in grades 6-12 classrooms
When: January 23-24, 2014

Where: The Utah museum of Natural History
Resource: See attached PDFs for registration form and brochure
Registration: Early registration ends on November 30, 2013, Try to apply as a team (2-3 members)

Contact: Dr. Christelle Estrada & the Utah Design Team, Christelle.estrada@schools.utah.gov

Salt Lake Valley Science and Engineering Fair: Call for Volunteers

What: Salt Lake Valley Science and Engineering Fair Judges
When: March 18-20, 2014

Where: Rice Eccles Stadium, University of Utah

Notes: You don’t have to attend the full three days to be a judge, you can decide which categories fit you best and volunteer for them.
Registration: http://slvsef.org/judges/register, Please try to register by early March

Website: http://slvsef.org/

Contact: Jody Oostema, jody@slvsef.org

It’s that time of year again!  The Salt Lake Valley Science and Engineering Fair (SLVSEF) would like to ask you once again to volunteer your time and share your expertise with some of the brightest, young scientists and engineers from Salt Lake, Tooele and Park City!

SLVSEF 2014 will be held at Rice Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah on March 18-20, 2014.  (*Please note this is not only a week earlier than normal due to an early spring break for three of the six participating school districts, but judging for the fair will be held this year on Tuesday through Thursday!) Elementary students in grades 5 and 6 will set up their projects for a judge preview on Tuesday, March 18^th and be judged on the morning of Wednesday, March 19^th.  Secondary students in grades 7 through 12 will set up their projects for a judge preview on Wednesday, March 19^th and participate in judging on Thursday, March 20^th.  The Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, March 21^st.

You can register now for SLVSEF at http://slvsef.org/judges/register  Since the fair will be split into two days, you will have the option to volunteer as an elementary division judge on Wednesday, March 19^thor as a secondary division judge on Thursday, March 20^th.  If you’re really enthusiastic about science fair you can, of course, do both!  

The online registration is for Category Judges ONLY.  If you have participated as a Special Awards Judge in the past, you will be contacted by Whitney Heileson-Knight or Polly Creveling, SLVSEF’s Special Awards Coordinators and Interns! 

2013 SLVSEF had 581 projects and we expect to have over 600 projects at the 2014 SLVSEF.  Please pass this email along to friends, co-workers and colleagues who may be interested in volunteering as a judge. And don’t forget to tell them how much fun it is! 

Free Posters

What: Free posters from the Sports ‘n Science program

Where: University of Utah’s Center for Science and Mathematics Education
Notes: Fill out an online form to request a poster or visit the CSME table at the UEA conferenct

Website: http://sportsnscience.utah.edu/posters/sns-poster-request/

Contact: outreach@csme.utah.edu

The Sports ‘n Science program at the University of Utah’s Center for Science and Mathematics Education (CSME) is offering FREE posters for your classroom!

Sports ‘n Science is a collaborative effort between the CSME and the University of Utah Athletics Department. Through outreach programs and educational offerings, Sports ‘n Science attracts students to science and math careers while building bridges between sports and science.

Each year, Sports ‘n Science creates posters that depict the science behind the sport.  Posters are 11"x17" and are available for free to K-12 schools and teachers. Each poster has a link to an online feedback survey; students and teachers are encouraged to complete the survey for a chance to win a prize drawing.

Poster quantities are limited. For more information or to request posters for your classroom, school, or after school club, visit http://sportsnscience.utah.edu/posters/ or stop by the CSME table at the UEA conference at the South Towne Expo Center, October 17-18, 2013.

The CSME offers many programs that link the University of Utah to the community.  To learn more, visit csme.utah.edu or sign up for our monthly e-newsletter by emailing outreach@csme.utah.edu

Goings on at the Department of Physics and Astronomy

What: Information galore

Where: The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Utah
Resource: See the attached folder for program brochures and information

Website: http://www.physics.utah.edu/

Contact:  Lynn Higgs, higgs@physics.utah.edu

Attached is some information indicating the incredible things going on in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Utah. Please bring it to the attention of your students and have those interested contact Lynn Higgs directly <higgs@physics.utah.edu>.

Please note:  These are opportunities that have been requested to be shared with the Utah science teacher community.  The Utah State Office of Education has not specifically vetted or endorsed the programs shared.  Any concerns or questions should be directed at the organizations associated specifically with the event.

_______________________________________________ 

Science mailing list Science@lists.uen.org https://lists.uen.org/mailman/listinfo/science

Hour of Code

I got this email from Code.org:

Yesterday, we announced the Hour of Code: a movement to recruit 10 million students of all ages to try computer science for one hour. This will be the largest initiative of its kind, ever.

Backed by Microsoft, Google, Apple, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, the Boys & Girls Clubs, and over 100 other partners, we want to bring computer science to every child, in every school, during Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 9-15).

Welcome to the 21st Century

Computer science is foundational for all students today. Yet 90% of schools don’t teach it. Fewer kids learn to program than 10 years ago.

What’s an Hour of Code?

It’s an introduction to computer science designed to demystify code and show that anyone can learn the basics. We’ll provide hour-long tutorials featuring Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Angry Birds, and Plants vs. Zombies -- for your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

How can you help?

1) Ask your local school to participate - share this handout and video with your teacher.
2) Participate yourself (or with your child). Set aside one hour to learn, during Dec. 9-15.
3) Ask your employer to schedule a 1-hour team-building event to learn together.
4) Get together a local group in your community. Or host an Hour of Code "block party."

No experience needed

We owe it to today’s students to start with one hour. Let’s make history.
Please get started now at http://hourofcode.com

- Hadi Partovi, founder, Code.org

Educational Bloggers challenge

Web Address: http://teacherchallenge.edublogs.org/2013/10/15/week-1/

The above link shows a great idea for using classroom blogs with students or starting a personal education blog.  So take a look at the rules and try out your own blog.  Need a place to try out this blogging stuff.  Here's a few

1. my.uen - There's a great blogging tool as part of your my.uen.  You can also get help on the blogging tool.
2. edublogs - A Word Press powered blogging platform for educators.
3. edutecher - A platform for blogging and a variety of other educational sharing tools.
4. edmodo - More like facebook for teachers than a blog, it allows you to post items and allow students to comment on them.  Still a great potential resource for interacting safely with students.

Bookmarking Tools

There are some great tools for online bookmarking.  Try one of these out:

1. my.uen - has a bookmarking tool where you can save your favorite websites and then publish them on your public page if you choose
2. diigo - social bookmarking and highlighting
3. delicious - social bookmarking and sharing
4. symbaloo - visual bookmarking. There is also a special edu version http://www.symbalooedu.com
5. google.com/bookmarks - Chrome keeps your bookmarks in sync across devices, but Google Bookmarks allows you to access them on whatever browser you are on and also allows you to share them.
6. Pinterest - Visual bookmarking and can be unsafe for work but there are some great education Pin Boards too.
7. Pearltrees - Another visual bookmarking and mind mapping tool

Where are you saving bookmarks and sharing bookmarks?

Rounding

Rounding and estimating are two very important skills in our day when exact numbers are easy to get with calculators and computers but we still need to know if the numbers on the calculator make sense. Check out this video helping people learn to round:

Math Practice

With almost any gadget you happen to pick up equipped with a calculator math facts may seem less of a priority, but for calculators to be meaningful it is necessary to have some sense of whether the answers that show up on the calculator make sense.  So instead of just one site with resources here's a list of a few sites that can help practice math facts.

• http://www.math-drills.com/ This site has limited numbers of worksheets in each area , but there are a wide array different topics all aligned  to grade levels.
• http://www.mathfactcafe.com/home/ This site is a great resource because it can randomly generate a variety of worksheets and their answer sheets.
• http://www.mathworksheetsland.com/ Another site that has a good array of content in both grade levels and topics
• http://xtramath.org/ is the last one and is not a worksheet generator but a way of allow students to practice math facts at home while parents and teachers get feedback.

So learn some math.

Talk Moves

The video above stood out to me for two reasons. The first being the excellent techniques for encouraging and yet managing discussion in the classroom.  We need better dialogue but also more polite and civil conversations.  The techniques you can see in the video do a lot to encourage that. The second item that is worth consideration is the use of silent signals.  The idea of silent signals is a great one and one that could be utilized in a variety of ways.  What are some of your ideas for silent signals?  Post them in the comments

en.linoit.com

Web Address: http://en.linoit.com 

There are a variety of tools available to take notes online and to keep track of favorite websites.  en.linoit is one more.  It allows you to create online sticky notes.  There are apps for smartphones and all of this helps you keep track of the things you most want.

Scan it

In our modern day and age it is becoming ever more useful to get rid of paper.  Recently I have been using a tool that I love.  We upgraded our copy machine with a module that allows it to send PDF files instead of just making paper copies.  I have gone through over 2000 pages of old materials and scanned them in as PDF's.  Some of these are materials that I could probably find doing a Google Search or using Pioneer Library to look through old Journals and Magazines, but in this case I had taken notes on items and had handwritten notes to go along with them.  Most of these I haven't referred to for a while but they still matter to me so I wanted to keep them available. This new add-on on the copier has been a wonderful tool and allowed me to scan multiple sheets all at once.  It even does double sided and larger sized documents.  Our system was about $200.00 to add on to the current copier we had.  This is relatively inexpensive for a scanner that can be shared by all who have access to the copier.

 

There are other ways also, there are several apps that allow a Smartphone to take a snapshot and turn it into a PDF.  I have talked about that in a previous post but you can also do a search in your favorite App store to find and compare them.

Mixing Art + Politics

Integrating curriculum is a valuable way to effectively reach the whole student. This video for this week shows an effective method for doing just that.

You can learn more about this at: http://www.edutopia.org/stw-integrated-studies-york-resources-video  as well as seeing instructions for downloading the video from iTunes if you are having trouble viewing the video above.

Utah Governor's Summit

Web Address: http://www.uen.org/govedsummit/

In just under a month Governor Gary R. Herbert will be hosting and educational summit.  This summit will address issues of education and instruction here in Utah.  This will be a unique opportunity because there will be a chance to gather together at local schools to view the event live as well as to have conversations with your local colleagues.  UEN will be streaming the event live as will Utah.org so that people from all over will be able to participate and see what Utah is doing to accelerate learning.

Improving Utah Schools

Most people agree that we want to see education improved, but it is difficult to agree on what that means.  Doug Fabrizio and @RadioWest have been broadcasting a series about Improving Utah Schools.  The issues facing Utah schools are similar to schools throughout the United States.  The series has one more episode yet to come but the first two are worth a listen.

web address: http://radiowest.kuer.org/topic/improving-utah-schools

Center for Science and Mathematics Education

Web Address: http://csme.utah.edu

The University of Utah is the home of the Center for Science and Mathematic Education.  A group dedicated to improving Science and Math education by enhancing teacher preparation.  The CSME has programs both for Undergraduates and for those pursuing a Graduate work.  There are also a wide variety of  resources and materials for enhancing education.  Take a look around the site and see what you  think.

Geology songs

@lauhun forwarded the first video in this playlist to me so I took a look around the interwebs and found the above playlist full of geology songs and it got me thinking about two things?

First, how could we use playlists as teachers.  I have suggested creating playlists on YouTube before in a course I teach and I still think it can be great.  There are lots of sites out there that let you create and share playlists: UEN's eMedia, YouTube, TeacherTube, SchoolTube.  But it could also be simply creating a list.  I often thought when teaching that I couldn't show all the amazing movies, documentaries and videos. So I developed the idea of Enrichments.  I would ask students to watch and summarize videos (or books, or other materials). These assignments were extra and allowed students to engage with materials I couldn't make time for in class.

Second, I loved the parody element in several of these videos and although it wasn't something I did, it is a terrific strategy for getting students to engage with the content.  Having students produce these kinds of videos with accurate science or history or whichever topic necessary.

What are your ideas for using video or writing parodies?

Science Friday via @iraflatow and @scifri

Web Address: http:://www.sciencefriday.com

The theme this week seems to be science.  There are a variety of science websites available.  Lots of good ones. But one of the exceptional ones has to be Science Friday.  The site is a complement to the NPR Radio program of the same name which airs Friday's ( I know, a shocker right!) my favorite feature is the exceptional Video Pick of the Week


Enjoy a visit around the site.

Cloud Features you didn't know about.

I am not always a fan of countdowns, but here are 9 cloud features you may not know about and could be hugely helpful:

1. Cloud Favorites.  For Android, and iOS users your favorite browser can keep your favorites together.  When you sign in to the Chrome Browser your favorites are kept in sync.  The same is true of Safari.  An iPad user with a Windows computer, never fear Safari is available for Windows and is an option when you download iTunes. Added Bonus: When you are logged in to two devices on Chrome or Safari you can open tabs that are open on other devices.
2. Photo Storage: When you turn on PhotoStream on iOS devices it allows you to see and then download to your device photos taken on other devices.  For example if I snap a shot with my iPhone I can see it and edit on my iPad and then share it to Facebook from my computer.  Similar to this is Google+ this app on iOS devices allows you to choose to upload your photos automatically as a backup.  Every photo you take is added to a private folder that allows you to share to Google+.  If you are an Amazon fan their app will automatically back up photos also.
3. Notes - There are several services that will keep notes in sync.  Apple's Notes does this with iCloud, but also if you enable the feature with other accounts it will let you store notes in a Google account or an Exchange account. Others include Catch notes and Evernote.
4. Music - Apple has a service for this and will make all of your music available on any device.  The cost is about $30 a year.  Google and Amazon both have free services with varying limits.  Amazon allows you to listen to anything you have purchased from them and upload a limited amount of other music.  Google handles things similarly, but with a much higher limit on what you can upload.
5. Books - Books have changed from a commodity to a resource.  Formerly you purchased a physical book that belonged to you but now largely your are licensing the rights to access that material.  Services like Amazon's Kindle, Kobo, iBooks and Nook make your books available on a variety of devices.
6. Movies - There are many services that allow you to stream you movies and Apple is good about allowing you to access iTunes purchases on your devices, but are there others?  Ultraviolet allows you to access movies in several apps including Flixster, and from the VUDU website.  Amazon Instant video allows you to purchase from Amazon and view on a variety of devices as well.
7. Website updates: With apps like Blogsy, WordPress, Blogger, EduBlogs and EduTecher you can update resources and information on your website from a mobile device or any internet connected computer.
8. Mail - We don't often think about this anymore, but since most of us are using a web based email system our email is cloud based.  Outlook.com is a major update for Hotmail, Live, and MSN users and allows you to claim a clean @outlook.com mail alias without having to get used to a new inbox.  Gmail has long been cloud based and with the ability to rapidly switch between several accounts also allow you to keep up with more than one inbox.
9. Audiobooks - ok so I am fudging a little since this is sort of covered by #5 but Audible is a great service with apps on both iOS and Android that allows you to listen to your books on any device directly from the device.  It does download the file to your device so it is best to do the downloading over WiFi but once you do you can earn awards, badges and achievements for how much you listen.  It will even keep different devices in sync and sync with Kindle copies of the text for certain books. Pretty amazing?

So, what cloud based features and services are your favorites? What are the cloud features you can't live without.