Organizers
Finding an organizer for to keep you organized can be a daunting task since there are so many applications out there. Here are a few of the apps that I found that can help with organizing your schedule and task.
Wunderlist is a nice organizer that allows you to have list on different topics. You are able to assigned list to students if they also sign up to Wunderlist. If it is an assignment that must be done, you can remind your students of the due date, give them reminders, add notes, and even attach any file that you would like. This application can also be downloaded in the various formats for mobile phones. Since most kids have phones, this would be a great way for them to keep up with their assignments. I tried sending myself an invitation just to test this app. I sent it to another of my emails, and I was able to go into Wunderlist and view any attachments on that item and was able to edit it, too. An orginal was kept in the username in which I orinigally sent the item. I think this is great so that you are able to compare and see what changes were made. In Wunderlist, you are able to change the background of your page as many times as you want. These backgrounds are bright and pleasing to the eye as you are woking with your list.
Remember the Milk is ver similar to Wunderlist. You are able to have different list topics. You are able to add as many items that you want on each topic. You are also able to add due dates and notes. The only thing is that you will not be able to upload a file to the notes. You can add a URL if you need the students to go to that page. With this app, you are also able to place tags on list items so that later on if you are looking for it, you can simply do a search, and it will pull out those items with the same tag. A problem with this app is that there is a lot of clear space and the section where you add information is small and not appealing. Because of this, I think some students will get bored easily with this application enven though it does the job.
Remember the Milk
Remember the Milk is ver similar to Wunderlist. You are able to have different list topics. You are able to add as many items that you want on each topic. You are also able to add due dates and notes. The only thing is that you will not be able to upload a file to the notes. You can add a URL if you need the students to go to that page. With this app, you are also able to place tags on list items so that later on if you are looking for it, you can simply do a search, and it will pull out those items with the same tag. A problem with this app is that there is a lot of clear space and the section where you add information is small and not appealing. Because of this, I think some students will get bored easily with this application enven though it does the job.
WorkFlowy
WorkFlowy is a nice organizer that helps you organize your task and schedules in an outline format. It is simple just to type the topics and then click on the bullet next to the topic name, and it will expand that section allowing you to type a sub-list under that topic, and you could go on making sub topics. A nice feature of WorkFlowy is how you are able to write # and a word and be able to do searches and groupings to your list because it places a tag to words whenever you use the # and groups those items together. The only thing about this app that concerns me is that it has lots of empty space and is mostly in a white background. I don't think it will keep the attention of the middle school students.
Scribbless
Sribbless is much simpler to use than Remember the Milk, WorkFlowy, and Wunderlist. You simply create a list and add your subtopics. You are able to check off each item as you are getting them done. You are able to print your list and share it with whomever you want as long as they have email. You can also just send them a list they cannot edit or one that they are able to make changes. It is very simple, but it gets the job done. It also looks more friendly than the other apps. I think students will be able to work better with this list since they do not have so many options.
In order to use Evernote, you must download it as an application. You do not need to be on the web to use this program. This list app will also allow you to make a list with topics and subtopic. You are able to insert files or pictures to your list, so it catches your attention. You can share a list simply by emailing or you can Twitter it, Facebook it, and Linkendln. You can add tags and add a map that shows where you are located. Evernote has a lot more options as the other organizers, and I feel these program has a lot more to offer. It also seems very user friendly. It is easy to navigate. Evernote would be the program that I would use with my students as an organizer. It has so many options and can be used with other aplications. With this program, you can share with your students and include files that you would like for them to work on and submit. I think this would work great with Google Chrome and its forms. You can make a quiz and send it through Evernote and give it a deadline. They would be sent a reminder of the task so they can get it done on time.
Pinterest is a place where you can create boards by "Pinning" pages that you like into a board. These pages are created by a variety of people on many topics. You can look for a topic that you like. You can learn how to create a variety of things. I think this would be useful to students by having them create their own account. They can look up boards that deal with an assignment that was given to them and create a paper or a product by reading and following instructions on those boards. The teacher can look at other teacher's boards and find ways to make this assignment more interesting for the students. The teacher can also create a board with pins that are all related to the topic being discussed in the class. He/She can simply pull it up on the web and discuss those pins with the students.
