After looking into the tool I decided this way of planning is amazing compared to my old fashion ways. You can create a template that fits your schedule. You can access your plans from anywhere anytime. You can upload files into your plans. You can even share your plans with a colleague, substitute teacher, or even your principal. You can even print your plans if you need a hard copy to rely on. The best thing is that this tool is free!
I could possibly be the only person in this program that hasn't started using a tool like this, but not for long. I plan on starting to use it next week, my picture above was just a trial. I will also be sharing this with the other 1st grade teacher, who is my mentor and could benefit from this tool as well. So if you are like me and need to save some time with lesson plans and make them more accessible to others give this web 2.0 Tool a try. There is a fantastic video on website that explains all the features very clearly.
Hiya Ashlee.
ReplyDeleteI read your post and immediately surfed out to planbook.edu to see what it could do for me. I jumped in with two feet as I always do and began posting my plans.
We have such a wacky schedule that it doesn't exactly work as smoothly as I'd like it to, but that's no fault of the tool -- it's a fault in our schedule.
I like the standards feature, but found it a bit awkward to use. I'm sure if I invested the time, it would become second nature.
I love the collaborative part of it. Right now in our school, only the deans get the full picture. It would be great to have all, let's say Spanish 1 teachers, share their plans. I go back to Kevin Kelly's "no one is as smart as all of us" idea. Each member of the department has a good idea, but when you compile them all, the synergy ignites greatness.
I'll continue to dabble -- and at the very least, this tool has lead me to explore others. Good find.
Great find, Ashlee! I so some instant potential too and signed up. This planner gives me a way stay up-to-date with my alternating (as well as non-alternating) classes. I can have the planner up during my classes so that when my A-Day 2nd block class is finishing up for a given day, I can notate (update that days lesson) how far they got during the block. With no planning period this year and 4 classes that are A-B schedule, I find myself constantly asking the students how far we got two days ago. Using this planner would alleviate that in an online and instantly editable manner.
ReplyDeleteIt will also help with submitting plans and units to colleagues at other schools (I am a singleton at my school). We share plans and ideas often and this would be a great way to do that.
Thanks again.
Ashlee,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, don't feel bad, I am still using stone aged paper grade books as well. I go back and forth between home and school with my lesson planning, so the only way I could do that before is with a laptop. This website could help me tremendously. I really like how it gives you flexibility in the design and it is not one standard layout. After exploring this site a little more, I can see even more benefits to it. I am trying to shift into a paperless environment as much as possible, and with the ability to attach files to the plans, I don't have to have an extra copy of the assignment on hand. I also like the ability to share with anyone. This feature can be really nice if I get stuck at home and I don't have lesson plans on my desk, I could simply ask my colleague to print out the lesson plans to give to the sub. Finally, the one major aspect that caught my eye was the Common Core Standards. My principal is requiring us to include our standards in every lesson plan, and with this tool it won't be such a nightmare to do for every lesson! Thank you very much for sharing this valuable tool with us, I have already signed up and I am considering purchasing the upgraded version.
Thanks Ashlee for this post. I too am from the dark ages of lesson planning with pencil and paper. I love it, but it is now inefficient and wastes a lot of time because my lessons, timeframes, and student issues change moment to moment! I am going to study this site and see if it is what I've been searching for in terms of flexibility, rewriting, adding info, comments, and observations. I also really want the information linked with standards. The common core are the up and coming new thing....so I'm off to PlanbookEdu.com. I'll be in touch.
ReplyDeleteAshlee,
ReplyDeleteYou and me both! For years I hunted for that perfect lesson plan format. I have designed so many different permutations on my computer that I can't even count them anymore. They either don't address a certain need, or they become too clunky to use over the long haul. My intentions are always good when I create a new design, but it always lasts a few weeks before it becomes too much of a hassle. Then I'm back to just a standard lesson plan again, and the cycle starts all over. I will shoot on over to your discovery and take it for a test drive. Thanks!