Being organised with Evernote and Goodreader…
Posted by missspink in Education, tags: assessment, conferring, Daily5, evernote, good reader, iPad, reading, teachers using EvernoteWell it has been a few days since my last post and I thought I would write an update to how I am going with my new found tools!
Let’s just say I don’t think I have ever felt so organised when it comes to assessment notes and running records….not to mention saving so much paper! I have really enjoyed having everything ready to go and accessible in such a short amount of time. I have noticed that I am even becoming much more aware of writing my observations as soon as I notice something about a student.
Using Goodreader to annotate running record sheets has allowed me to eliminate photocopying and have all my student assessment records stored in the same place. As I mentioned in my last post it was a little tricky using my finger to annotate and thanks to a colleague, I was able to test out an iPad stylus. This was fantastic, although my writing is a little bigger than usual it was much more accurate and easier to write with.
I also thought that I would share a screen capture of how I have my Evernote notes set up- I would love some feedback from this, interested in seeing how other teachers are being organised!
If you have an ipad I would seriously suggest giving it a go! Let me know how you go! 
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I use evernote aswell for anecdotal reading notes. I save the kids names as tags, so when I do a note on a child, I just add their tag! So at the end of the term, there will be a pile of notes for each child sorted by their tags. I also have a tag for each reading group!
Thanks for the tip on running records!
Hi Jarryd, thanks for your comments. I like the idea of using tags, will have to start doing that! Have you ever used the record feature to record them reading? I find this helps too as I can go back and listen and see if I have missed anything. It is also a great self assessment tool too!!
I like the setup but I would agree that perhaps the number of notebooks you currently have could become cumbersome. Tags are definitely going to help, but it may be worth spending some time working through a system like GTD which gives some great guides on organizing your workflow based on context.
Hi, I’d set up Evernote to use during reading, but hadn’t really got into it, but now that I have an ipad it will be a lot easier I hope. I made one notebook and put all the children into that notebook with tags. I’m hoping it will be efficient.
My kids record themselves reading on Evernote too, using the ipodtouches and it gives a good record of fluency and self-monitoring.
It’s good to see what others are doing.
Judy
Thanks Michael, will see how I go and if I find I need GTD, I will get on to it. Thanks.
Hi Judy,
Thanks for your comments. I hope you enjoy the use of Evernote on your iPad. I like the idea of having the kids record themselves on the iPod touches! I might have to look into that! I think the recording features are fabulous, I like being able to go back and listen to see if I missed anything. I especially like how good it as self assessment for the teacher as well.
Thanks again,
Bec
Hi…Our principal posted your link. I like the idea of going paperless when administering running records. I have a practice that might be helpful. I don’t put a check above each word read correctly. I put a vertical line between words to mark the reader’s fluency (I make a slash or line when the reader pauses) which is helpful when sharing the running record with parents and others. I keep track of all other miscues and self corrections as usual but making that one change in my practice has been invaluable.
Hi Lynne, thanks for your comment. I do like your ideas about the running record annotations, and would probably be easier when entering on the ipad. Thanks, will give it a go when school goes back from holidays.
I had never heard of Evernote before. Someone suggested using it for Daily 5. Do you have to have an iPad to use it?
Hi,
Sorry for the late reply, I have been on holidays! No you do not have to have an iPad for Evernote. You can use it on the Internet or download it to your computer. There is also and iPhone app and I am pretty sure there is an android one too.
Regards,
Bec
[...] Running Records – record the audio at the same time and keep everything in the same place. No more paper. You can even play back the audio to the student. There is a terrific example here: Evernote and Running Records [...]