Evernote Feedback

Evernote provided us with a new, useful way to take notes in class.  The best part about Evernote is that it was mobile.  I could access my notes on the iPad, on the computer, or on my phone, depending where I was.  Evernote is extremely easy to use, and I used it continually in class.  Another thing that I like about Evernote is that I can be sure that I will never lose my notes.  A notebook can be lost, but on Evernote, I can access my notes even if I lose the device I originally wrote it on.  I also like the fact that it saves paper.  I don't have to worry about wasted paper in a notebook, but I can just type it up and save it, then access my notes from home. Typing up notes in class was much more efficient than writing as well.  Evernote is generally a useful note-taking device, especially in a school setting.

I didn't encounter any long-term problems using Evernote.  One of the only difficulties I had was it saved my username and password, so the other students who were using the iPad could have accessed my notes.  However, I think it was only because it was a shared device.  It was only like that for a few days, and then it allowed me to fully log out.  Another small issue that I faced while using Evernote was that if the internet was down, I wouldn't be able to view my notes.  That could cause a problem if I didn't have my notes saved anywhere else and I wasn't able to get onto the computer to complete an assignment. My experience using Evernote was positive aside from those issues.  Those were the only limitations I found while I was using it.

Evernote is already a very useful tool.  As a student, it is very helpful to be able to save my notes through the internet. My only suggestion is that notes that were previously written should be accessible without an internet connection.  I think that on devices that have the Evernote application should be able to pull up previous notes and type new notes without going onto the internet.  Then, once an internet connection is found, those notes that were typed can be sent to the other devices.  That would be useful in situations where there is not WiFi, so we can utilize our notes in that way.  Overall, using Evernote has been extremely useful and helpful this year.  I will continue to use it for personal notes or class notes when I need it.

iPad Use in the Classroom

The iPads were definitely a benefit to have in the classroom. It was a different learning experience, giving us the ability to follow along in class discussions and take notes in a new way. The iPad provided easy access to information right at our fingertips. We could search vocabulary words for the Word of the Day right away. Another Benefit of the iPad is the paperless work.  Using the iPad allowed me to type up papers and assignments in class that I normally would use a notebook to write. It was nice to be able to save papers and assignments on Dropbox so I could pull up them at home or on my phone.  Overall, the iPads provided a new, beneficial way to interact and learn in class.

There were a few drawbacks relating to the iPads. The main problem was our inability to bring the iPads home after school. I would have work saved on the iPad that I would forget to send to myself. There also were applications that I would use in class that would have been beneficial if I could use them at home as well as school. I think we didn't use the iPads as much as we could have in the class. However, I think that will improve over the years as adaptions are made to fit it into the classroom. These are the only drawbacks I found in the use of the iPad. However, the drawbacks don't outweigh the benefits.

I think that a 1:1 iPad situation would ultimately be beneficial in our high school. They could eventually replace textbooks, ultimately saving a huge amount of paper.  Eventually over time, it could probably save the schools money as well, due to the textbook updates that could be downloaded rather than purchasing new sets of expensive textbooks.  I think that the iPads would be beneficial 1:1 because then the students could have their notes and assignments everywhere with them.  We would be able to work on them wherever we are.  That may increase the amount of students that do their homework because they can fit in time to work on their homework even when they aren't at home.  As technology progresses, there might also be new ways for students to take lessons with them.  They might be able to watch a lesson over again if they don't remember how to do it. Overall, I think that giving each student an iPad would be an overall beneficial decision for the school system.