Evernote

This year we are using Evernote to keep our anecdotal notes.

This is an amazing tool for teachers I couldn't speak highly enough of it to do it justice.

At first I found it really challenging to find the time to make the notes. With seniors it can be hard to find a moment to jot down comments and observations, before you are interrupted and it is lost. I have had to make a conscious effort to make the time and now I feel like I have been able to teach while making quick notes and taking photos for evidence.

Things I like about Evernote:

- Searching students names (great for when it comes to parent teacher interviews and reports)
- Annotating photos - You can highlight and write all over photos
- I can use the notes to help with planning - particularly when trying to decide how long to spend on a learning intention
- The evidence is visual, organised and accessible on a range of devices and locations (Home and School)
- The notes can be shared with fellow colleagues and management
- You can create notebooks to organise various topics and content. I have a notebook for Behaviour & Social, Planning Reflections, Testing Observations, Room 1 (2015) and then various notebooks for different curriculum ideas
- You can clip articles, photos and documents off the internet. This is a great way to never lose amazing resources!
- I can use it on my phone. I take the photos, type the notes and post these to my Evernote while I am sitting with a group
- You can set yourself checklists and reminders within your notes - e.g. Need to Gloss test ASAP - Look at Mult/Div

ICT Discovery Day

Today I had a whole days release. Normally I would use this time for testing, however last week half my class were out at a sports exchange in Taranaki and are still very tired. I realised that today would be a pointless day to test because I wouldn't be getting true results of where they are at.

I decided that I was going to have my own professional development day!
This was very exciting, I got the ULearn breakouts out and began looking and highlighting what interests me, as I was doing this I found a few programmes, apps and tools that I hadn't heard of. I then began to explore all of these.

I looked at the following tools:

- Booktrack Classroom
- Nearpod
- Adobe Voice (App)
- Google sites
- Pond



Booktrack - This website is a great concept.
I wanted to be able to use it with my current novel study, I didn't realize you have to have all the text typed out. I think it would be best used with a story they kids have written themselves. They can then use booktrack to set the mood for their story and include sound effects.

Nearpod - I need more time with this site.
I want to have a play when my class is in the room because it looks as though there is a lot of interaction. I like the concept of it. I would like to observe someone using it effectively.

Adobe Voice - A definite winner!!
Loved this. I played on it for 15 minutes, it was simple and effective. I made a quick PSA on social media and the current trend of having 1000+ friends.
I love this because I know all students in my class would have success with this app and its free!

Google Sites -  I have heard of and I know a lot of people that use them.
I decided to have play and create my own. I want to create one that is for my class to log on to and get extra support through a range of rich tasks.

Pond - I had been meaning to log on to this when I received the 'Pioneer Educator' package a few months back, today I had the time to look at the content on the site and add my own.