Let’s talk tips for using Digital Notes
There are many reasons people make the move from paper-based to digital notes. In the 202-21 school year, more teachers than ever are making the move due to absolute necessity.
The good news is that if you’ve been using paper-based interactive notebooks, using digital notes mirrors traditional paper-based notes in most ways. However, there are a few tips to consider when implementing digital notes.
Let’s dig into 10 tips to consider when using digital notes. These tips will help you get the most out of digital interactive notebooks.
1- Record a screencast video
First of all, use digital notes in conjunction with videos. Record a screencast video, which is a voice over your screen, of you teaching with the notes. This way, students can go at their own pace. It’s especially helpful when students are absent or learning remotely. (Loom is screencasting software that is free for teachers. Another popular choice is Screencastify)
2- Show the video in chunks
Secondly, it’s helpful to chunk out the note-taking process for students. Go one slide at a time. Show the short video clip and then have students go to their notes page and work. Then, discuss the page with them. Next, go to the next short chunk of video. Finally, if students are watching on their own, add visual cues to the video to indicate when students should pause and complete their notes.
3- Have students store their notes in a virtual folder
When assigning notes to students online, it’s easiest to assign them by unit. To help students keep all their notes in one place, walk students through the process of creating a folder to put all of their notes into. Have them keep a collection of their notes. While students won’t have printed notes pages jammed in the bottom of their backpacks, it’s still worth taking time to help them organize their files.
4- Use digital notes with in-person instruction
If you have computers that students are using when you’re in-person, consider using digital notes. This way you can present the notes using a projector like normal and they can work along on their computers.
5- Use Digital Notes as a practice activity.
If you already have a note taking process, but you are looking for more activities for a certain topic, consider using our digital notes for practice, review, homework, or fast finishers. They include multiple digital activities that will teach or reinforce content. You can assign just one or two slides at a time for independent work.
6- Have students turn in their notes periodically.
One way to show students that taking notes is important is to have them turn-in their notes periodically. You can have them turn-in their notes through your learning management system and give them feedback on how their notes are going.
7- Have filled out notes and/or a video available for absent students and students with special needs
After you’ve worked through the process of giving notes, make sure students have access to a filled out page or answer key. This is important for absent students who will be lost because they weren’t there, as well as students who need the experience slowed down.
8-Model, Model, Model
Whether you are giving the notes live or recording them ahead of time don’t forget to model, model, model. Students are new to digital assignments and notes just like you. You can model the functionality of the notes, the math process you are teaching, and how to write responses that are a complete thought. The more you model the more successful the students will be.
9-Watch out for math symbols
As I’m creating digital notes units, I’m very aware of which math symbols to have already written for students. Fractions are the most common. While you can type using an equation editor in Google Slides (Equat10 for example), it can be a lot to try to teach students if you’re teaching from a distance.
There are some easy shortcuts in Google Docs to be aware of. For example, to make an exponent you can hold the Ctrl key and the period and then the next thing you type will be an exponent. (neat trick, huh?)
10- Give students the opportunity to add to their notes
One final tip- let students have a chance to add to their digital notes. Many times they have ideas about the topic that make sense to them. Encourage them to add text boxes with these ideas to their notes. You could even have everybody add something to the notes that one student suggests.
In our digital notes, this would be great to do on the Cheat Sheet which is really an anchor chart. Plus, it’s really easy to add a slide to the digital notes and have them write ideas there.
Check out ready-to-go Digital Notes
We’ve created complete sets of notes for 7th and 8th grade, and now they’re available in both printable AND digital formats. They’re low-prep and ready to go. Whether you’re having students use composition notebooks or take their notes online, you have the flexibility to use these notes in either format.
Check them out here:
7th Grade Interactive Notes (Printable & Digital)
8th Grade Interactive Notes (Printable & Digital)
Thanks for reading! Until next time!
