Teaching in Higher Ed
#048: Using Evernote in Higher Ed [PODCAST]
Having a notebook application that goes with you everywhere and is available on every device can greatly enhance your teaching and productivity. On episode #048 of Teaching in Higher Ed, Scott Self and Bonni Stachowiak share how they each integrate Evernote into their classes and workflows. Even if you aren't an Evernote user, you're bound to pick up a few tips.
Podcast notes
Guest:
Scott Self
Director, University Access Programs, Abilene Christian University
Productive Nerd Blog
The landscape of options for notebook-type applications
Microsoft OneNote
Writing-specific applications, such as Ulysses or Scrivener
Circus Ponies Notebook
Guidance on maximizing the value of course assets
Linking smart post
LMS - keep the course assets out of it
Creating collaborative learning environments with Evernote
Use it in a uni-directional way, not necessarily a conversational tool...
Classroom becomes a kind of conversation around learning
Scott gives students the unique, Evernote email address to send notes to the class-specific evernote notebook
He sets permissions up so that he’s the only one who can edit the notes in the notebook - read-only
Getting started with Evernote
Scott’s posts
Evernote in Higher Ed Introduction
Evernote in the classroom
We both recommend
Brett Kelly's Evernote Essentials eBook
Big advantages of Evernote
Easy capture
On iOS - text, audio, sticky notes, documents (auto-size), photo
Web clipper
Drafts - iOS app - start typing
Email - lots of tricks to organize when you send
Search capabilities
Integration with other apps and services
Keeps one’s course out of the LMS environment - the instructor should own the material, not the LMS
Our advice
Grow with it (start with the basics and go from there)
Keep folder structure simple
Bonni uses just reference, work, and personal, along with a shared notebook and a couple required ones that store my LiveScribe pencasts
Scott has only a few notebooks. I do have one for each section of a course that I teach so that I can share lecture notes, resources, and “FYIs” with my students.
As a “Premium” user, we have access to the “Presenter” view. Scott says:
Students see my lecture notes in a clear and uncluttered presentation, and have access to the information in the shared notes. I prefer that students take notes about the lecture - rather than copying down what’s on the screen.
Use tags when you would have normally used a folder. Scott says:
Yes! The search function is so powerful, it is often faster to search for a note than to navigate through a tree of folders
Capture whiteboard brainstorms in meetings (will recognize your handwritten text). Scott says:
My students with disabilities have become infamous on campus for snapping pictures of whiteboards. This saves time (and frustration for the students with learning disabilities), and the snaps can be annotated.