My school is looking into going from paper/pencil lesson plan books to online lesson books. Do any of you already use online books? Any recommendations for us to check out?
We are using MIlestones at www.cengagelearning.com which is a combination of both. The online component can be accessed at any place with internet and the teacher can monitor the results anywhere there is internet. There is also an individual study component which allows kids to make up work they missed or need more practice in. Again this is online also. The series is geared to middle and high school.
Here is a free online tool to keep track of grades, lessons, quizzes, tests, emails to parents, etc. I have trained 3 teachers on its use at my site and they seem happy with it. I spent a few weekends "playing" with it until I felt comfortable enough explaining its use to other.
I don't think it is that high tech. I have embedded lessons, tests, quizzes. Student activities have deadlines though which my students need to learn:)
You have now given me a reason to poke around some more and see how high tech I can make this site!
Since I have students of all abilities crammed into my computer classes (and the cream skimmed off into other classes) I need to keep the beginning steps as simple as possible. I have been embedding Google Calendar into my blogs - it works, but I am looking for something with a bit more "ummph" so it is clearer for the students and parents who visit the site on a daily basis.
Well, I have a techie friend who is also an educator so I will run this by her for ideas. I am also taking a 1 week course on technology and ELLs (advanced) in August so I should pick up a few tricks there as well. Let me get back to you.
Cost does seem reasonable -- wish it were an online application rather than a downloadable tool. As I use multuple rooms (and multiple computers) this may prove problematic.