I had the opportunity to attend this year’s ECOO (Educational Computing Organization of Ontario) in Richmond Hill this past weekend. I went with the mission of learning as much as I could about how teachers are currently maximizing student assessment and feedback with technology, particularly with the iPads. It was also an opportunity to hear about how the education paradigm is shifting...from the top-down, hierarchical “Sage on the Stage” model that most of us probably experienced in our elementary and high school to one where the teacher is a facilitator and coach; students can access anything they need to know in a matter of seconds, but they still need to learn how to be effective in their search for, and use, of information.
But, to my concern at hand. I learned about two apps frequently being used to collect student work and allow the ongoing feedback with peers and teacher, and even parents. Edmodo (@edmodo) (http://www.edmodo.com) is a Facebook-like social media platform that teachers are using with their classes to collect assignments, provide automatic and digital feedback, and post in a safe, social way. I was familiar with Edmodo a few years ago but the format seemed difficult. I’m sure the honest reason is that I was afraid of the learning curve I would have to work on. I will be having my students create accounts and join my site this week.
Evernote (@evernote) (http://evernote.com/) is an amazing app, available for tablets and traditional computers, with the mission of “Remember Everything.” As a teacher struggling to keep track of anecdotal feedback using the Notes app on the iPad...read that as, I could handwrite this just as quickly but I wouldn’t be able to read it later on, and I’d probably lose the paper...I was immediately interested in Evernote. It was easy to find to download to my MacBook Pro and I also found the app easily enough through iTunes. There are several add-ons for Evernote but I won’t get in to them this early on. I can’t really describe Evernote with justice, so immediately from the application itself, “Put everything in one place - your notes, images, documents, web clips and audio notes. Find what you're looking for using our powerful search. Sync makes your notes accessible across your devices.” Again, the app looks daunting. I’m sure I will find myself frustrated at times this year as I will be learning Evernote alongside my students. I think it will be good for us as a class though, and good to see that even as I experience frustration and the desire to quit, I need to stick with it for the good of the group. Part of my contribution to this blog will be to document my learning and trials with these, and other, apps.
But, to my concern at hand. I learned about two apps frequently being used to collect student work and allow the ongoing feedback with peers and teacher, and even parents. Edmodo (@edmodo) (http://www.edmodo.com) is a Facebook-like social media platform that teachers are using with their classes to collect assignments, provide automatic and digital feedback, and post in a safe, social way. I was familiar with Edmodo a few years ago but the format seemed difficult. I’m sure the honest reason is that I was afraid of the learning curve I would have to work on. I will be having my students create accounts and join my site this week.
Evernote (@evernote) (http://evernote.com/) is an amazing app, available for tablets and traditional computers, with the mission of “Remember Everything.” As a teacher struggling to keep track of anecdotal feedback using the Notes app on the iPad...read that as, I could handwrite this just as quickly but I wouldn’t be able to read it later on, and I’d probably lose the paper...I was immediately interested in Evernote. It was easy to find to download to my MacBook Pro and I also found the app easily enough through iTunes. There are several add-ons for Evernote but I won’t get in to them this early on. I can’t really describe Evernote with justice, so immediately from the application itself, “Put everything in one place - your notes, images, documents, web clips and audio notes. Find what you're looking for using our powerful search. Sync makes your notes accessible across your devices.” Again, the app looks daunting. I’m sure I will find myself frustrated at times this year as I will be learning Evernote alongside my students. I think it will be good for us as a class though, and good to see that even as I experience frustration and the desire to quit, I need to stick with it for the good of the group. Part of my contribution to this blog will be to document my learning and trials with these, and other, apps.
All in all, this was a good conference, with some presentations that floored me, and others that underwhelmed me. I came away with a lot of information that I am still trying to distill. Please use the hashtag #ECOO12 to read the ongoing commentary that happened with, and among, educators and presenters over the length of the conference.
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