This past August, I was able to attend #edcampks in Wichita, KS. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn from other educators, to expand my professional network, and to meet those I converse with on Twitter. One of the most beneficial sessions I attended was on the use of Evernote. I have to admit, at first, I was very skeptical of Evernote. I mean, on the surface, I thought Evernote was essentially a glorified version of Apple's Notes or Google Drive. Oh, how wrong I was! I've totally bought into Evernote and have been able to benefit from it each day. More importantly, I'm seeing it's value for student use.
While I was sitting in the Christian Brothers Automotive waiting area, patiently wondering how much it was going to cost to fix my wife's car, I decided I would use this time to work on my grad school book review assignment. I decided to use Evernote's checkbox option to begin my review outline. As I continue to read the book, I will add items to the checklist. I will then use this checklist to ensure my thoughts are included in my essay.
I've attached a screenshot of my "note" to give you a visual of what I am talking about. Just imagine, this app could essentially replace the note cards use we've all used in the past when writing essays. Additionally, this app can be accessed on the phone, tablet, and computer. Students/staff can easily have access to their work, anywhere there is an internet connection.
On Monday, September 16, 2013, I led a professional learning session with district staff regarding Evernote. We discussed the student use of this product. It is my belief that this tool could be valuable for all students, in this capacity. They would need an email to start up an account. Our secondary students have a district Gmail account as we are a Google Apps for Education District. The potential for student use is there, just waiting to happen. I can easily see our students buying into trading their three ring binders and spiral notebooks for Evernote. The technology component alone will trigger their interest.
Yes, I am still sold on Google Drive. However, I am making room for Evernote!
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