In September and October last year I wrote a few posts about assessing student reading on the iPad by taking running records using the GoodReader app and then saving the assessments in Evernote to have everything in the one spot. This process has worked well for me for more than a year but recently I was reminded of a Record of Reading app (thanks to @richielambert) which I had previously dismissed due to not being able to export the completed record to Evernote. Rich suggested taking a screen shot and saving it to Evernote that way, which would work and is a great suggestion but I found it to be a little clunky and fiddly when in the classroom and on the go. After playing around with the app a little more, I found that you are able to email a completed record as either a .jpeg or .pdf file. By doing this I was able to email it directly to my Evernote account in less clicks (or taps) than taking a screen shot, just a little more efficient.
The Record of Reading app is a nifty idea and unlike annotating a .pdf using GoodReader, it allows the teacher to complete a miscue analysis by simply tapping instead of spending time writing more. I would still suggest using a stylus rather than your finger to complete the annotations.
Another good feature of the app is being able to add all the data- words read, errors and self corrections and then it automatically calculates the accuracy rate. Very handy in a busy classroom!
Ok, after the pros, there must come some cons…I still prefer to record the audio of my students reading in Evernote, that way I can access all of my data the one place and the emailing part is a little annoying but no more annoying than what it was saving an annotated .pdf from GoodReader.
Between this app, Kustomnote and Evernote, paperless assessment in my classroom is getting even easier and more efficient!
I had a great first week back at school last week, as Melbourne schools prepare for their last term of the year!
Last week I tried something new (for me anyway) using Evernote and the iPad. As many readers of this blog are aware, I do not organise my paper work well and as a result have been trying ways to eliminate paper in my classroom. I have had so much success with using Evernote and Goodreader to complete running records and reading assessments/conferences that I know my quest to be a paperless organised teacher is only just beginning!
Many teachers may have different ways of recording a childs home reading habits and in the past, I have always used a checklist, where I would tick and sign if a student brought their reader in. Yesterday however, I created a simple checklist within Evernote. I started a new note, added each students name, the date and the checkbox feature in Evernote (See Evernote tips here- http://bit.ly/qdEByn ) . It was great, simple and took less than 5 minutes! Tonight I opened Evernote web and copied and pasted so my checklist is now set up for the next few weeks! (See picture below). I couldn’t believe how easy it was. No longer will I forget to photocopy a checklist, there is no need, it is now all on my iPad, iPhone or computer! I thought it was handy too as I could jot in some notes if a student had not brought their reader in, were absent or if they had changed the book box they choose their books from.
It got me thinking….How else could we as super organised teachers use the checkbox feature in Evernote? Have notes made with curriculum standards for each child, ready to be checked? Have a checklist of reading behaviours and check off what you notice a student doing? I think there are so many possibilities for using this feature. I can’t wait to try it out more!
What could you use the Evernote checkbox feature for? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I have had a fabulous response to my use of Evernote, Goodreader and the iPad. It has been great to hear from like minded educators about how they are using these tools in the classroom. Today however I have had lots of questions and Twitter conversations about how to save files from Goodreader in Evernote so thought I would do a quick ‘how to’ post to hopefully make it a bit easier on users. See video for step by step instructions.
Once I have my file in Evernote I copy and paste it to the selected student note, this however, I have only figured out how to do using Evernote on my computer, if anyone knows of an iPad way, please share. Depending on how you have your notes set up you could just rename and tag the note that has already been created.
Well 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!
Where to start…my first blog post…I have so many things running through my head to write about. But will start with the most recent changes to my use of tech in the classroom.
On Friday I purchased an iPad, since then I don’t think I have stopped thinking about all the things I could do / want to do / WILL DO! The possibilites are endless with such a nifty little gadget. I have not yet used my iPad in my IWB (only figured out how to do that today) but when I do I will be sure to post an update. One main thing I have been trying to do is organise myself….see I am not good with paper, I find keeping up to date with paper work really hard and I can’t stand the mess, it is a constant battle for me. Keeping anecdotal notes has never been a strong point for me either (again I think it has something to do with the paper). I needed a way that I could eliminate this problem…and I think I have found it! If you find yourself with a similar problem or just want to try something new read on…
1- Download Evernote http://www.evernote.com/ A handy program that you can use on multiple devices, which also syncs between the devices. In Evernote I have created different notebooks, anecdotal notes for reading, writing, maths etc (see pic), each notebook has a note dedicated to each student that I can continue to edit whether at home, school or on my iPad or iPhone.
Now I don’t have to print off any paper, I can easily type in any observations, it has been great. Today however I took it a step further and also completed running records on my iPad…
2- Goodreader- An app that allows you to annotate, highlight and add notes to PDF files. I scanned in my running record observation sheets and now have them stored in Goodreader. So using this app I was able to take a running record digitally….It was a bit tricky in the beginning but once I got used to using my finger instead of a pen it was great.
Putting it together- I saved my newly annotated PDF in Goodreader and ‘sent it to’ Evernote- so now not only do I have my anecdotal notes, I also have the running record that goes along with them, all in one place (See screen shot)….with no paper!!!!!
I have also used Evernote to record students reading in Guided Reading groups and Individual reading conferences, not only has this been helpful to go back and listen to students read but also a great self assessment tool!!!
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