Teaching in Higher Ed

Teaching in Higher Ed


#048: Using Evernote in Higher Ed [PODCAST]

May 14, 2015

 

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.