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Today's learners must access, evaluate, and apply information from a wide variety of resources. Use these pencasts to learn about the research process and a notetaking strategy that supports each step of the process.
Research Gridbrought to you by Livescribe
These pencasts were created with a Livescribe pen. Click the tag below to see all my posts about this amazing tool!
To learn more about the research process, check out the online version of my presentation titled " Revolutionize the Research Process."
I was wandering through the electronic department at Target yesterday, starting to think about Christmas gifts for my very techie family, and found the Pulse Smartpen by Livescribe. After checking out the display and researching it online, I thought, "Wow, this is an amazing piece of technology!" Of course, I had to get one for myself so I could test it out and ensure it would be a quality gift for my loved ones. (That's my excuse, and I'm stickin' to it!) Here's an overview of what the Pulse does, potential applications to education, and issues it raises for teachers and districts. What it Does: - Digitally captures notes: The Pulse digitally captures notes you record on paper (special paper required). These notes are synchronized to your computer using the Livescribe software that comes with it. Your notes are then entirely searchable - it does an amazing job at recognizing even the worst chicken scratch!
- Records audio: If desired, while you are taking notes with the pen, you can also capture audio at the same time. The audio is synchronized to your notes. So later, if you tap your pen on any part of your notes, you can hear the audio that was recorded at the time you wrote the note! The audio is also synchronized to the copy of your notes on the computer - using the software, you can see your notes being "re-written" as it plays the audio.
- Provides sharing capabilities: The Livescribe software allows users to share their notes and associated audio recordings online with others - "pencasting" is born! Here's an example.
Applications to Education: - Capture Notes: How many times have you reviewed your notes from a class session and felt confused, perhaps because you missed something, didn't write a complete enough note to jog your memory, or can't read the hasty scribble? No worries! Just tap the pen on that part of your notes and hear what the teacher was saying when you wrote it! This technology brings together both auditory and visual recall to provide a truly powerful study session!
- Record Observations: I always walked around my classroom with a clipboard or notepad to record observations of student learning and behavior. Later, I would transfer them to my recordkeeping software - if I had the time! With the Pulse pen, all your notes are synchronized in your computer and searchable. Find every instance that you wrote about Johnny in your notebook. (Hint: Use a different notebook for each class to keep your notes separate.)
- Model Notetaking: Imagine how much more effective your lectures might be if you used this technology to model note-taking. Rather than just a podcast, you could pencast your lectures to provide both visual and auditory review of your lessons. You could also apply this technology to the drawing strategies presented in Jon Pearson's trainings, by capturing the auditory to accompany the drawings. You can model, then have a student use the pen to draw and tell what they know and share it with others!
- Capture Drawings: Once your notes are synchronized to your computer, you can copy-paste an image of your notes into another application. Perhaps you drew a diagram of a molecule or an icon for critical thinking - you can capture that artistic rendering and use it in a document or presentation.
- Record Meeting Minutes: Record your notes from meetings, phone calls, or your personal brainstorm sessions. Later, you can quickly search your notes to find that critical information you need right when you need it! Of course, you can also record audio, if appropriate, so all the details are captured.
Issues This Raises: - Do you have a right to record others? There's mixed information about whether you have the right to covertly record a conversation of which you are a member. Best practice - notify/ask participants, explain the purpose and intended uses of your recording.
- Do students have a right to record in the classroom? Ed Code 51512 states they cannot record without the permission of the teacher and principal. This addresses all recording devices including cell phones, ipods, a recording pen, etc.
- Do students have a right to make recordings public? Even if a teacher gives a student permission for a lecture to be recorded, making this recording available online for others is another matter entirely and requires additional approval. If you plan to share your audio recordings, get permission first.
- Does our Acceptable Use Policy cover this? While Ed Code states that students cannot record without permission, clearly communicating these expectations to students and parents in light of new technologies is important. Our Educational Technology Committee and District administrators will need to address this concern and determine if a revision to the AUP is necessary.
- What should I know and do as a teacher? Be aware of the fact that students may be using various types of personal devices to record audio and/or video. Inform your students of the Ed Code policy. Encourage their use of technology to support learning, but also teach personal accountability. Finally, explore the potential this technology has as an instructional tool in your classroom. Embrace new technology and make it work for you!
UPDATE! Technical Tip: If you install the software on your work computer/laptop, you'll get an error message indicating it can't use a network path. Go to this website to download the patch. Be sure your computer has at least 4GB of storage space on the C drive.
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