Hello! Welcome back to CGS ICT e-Tips.
For the month of February, we’re revisiting Microsoft One Note, but this time, it is OneNote for Classrooms! In this version of OneNote, Microsoft has included many more functions, which you’ll find really useful and suitable for your classroom teaching!
If you’ve not heard of what Microsoft OneNote is from us in 2015, you can read about it here!
So what’s new with OneNote Classroom?
Previously we mentioned how easy it was to create sections and pages for classes and students but this time, with OneNote Classroom, the application does it for you! Simply create a Notebook and start adding co-contributors/ editors and then pick the class or group you are making this Notebook for.
To start, name your Notebook! For easy referencing, I named the Notebook according to the topic I was teaching, and which class it was for.
After naming your Notebook, you will be shown what sections and pages are included in your Notebook.
Next, I added my co-contributor(s) / editor(s).
And then I proceeded to add the class this Notebook was intended for. [NEW FEATURE! YAY!]
After which, I had an option to choose what I would like to have in each student’s private space. I wasn’t setting any quizzes for the students, hence, I have unchecked the box for that category.
Then, I was shown what the preview would be like.
The application provided me with a link to use for easy access with my students. The application also sent an email to all the students that have been added to this Notebook to inform them that a Notebook has been created by me, for them. Of course, if you would like, you can follow-up with another email stating any further instructions for them pertaining to the Notebook.
To access the Notebooks I’ve created, I simply went to the top right hand corner of my Microsoft Outlook (on browser mode) and click on the Grid Icon to drop down a navigation bar to access my OneNote Online.
Upon clicking the Notebook I’ve created for the class, I was delighted to find a section that was dedicated to guiding any first-time users! It was a comprehensive guide to setting up and using the different functions available in this version. Every Notebook created under Microsoft OneNote Classroom would have this section featured too.
However, I felt that the guide wasn’t necessary to be left in my Notebook as it might confuse the students with the real lesson material I would be uploading later onto the Notebook, so I deleted the section entirely. (Disclaimer: you are advised to delete this only if you’ve read and understood the functions available. As once the section and pages have been deleted, it is no longer retrievable. Unless you create a new Notebook again.)
The pages under the “Welcome” Section has also included tips and ideas by Microsoft that are useful and interesting. I would recommend browsing through the contents if you have the time!
However, I felt that the guide wasn’t necessary to be left in my Notebook as it might confuse the students with the real lesson material I would be uploading later onto the Notebook, so I deleted the section entirely. (Disclaimer: you are advised to delete this only if you’ve read and understood the functions available. As once the section and pages have been deleted, it is no longer retrievable. Unless you create a new Notebook again.)
The pages under the “Welcome” Section has also included tips and ideas by Microsoft that are useful and interesting. I would recommend browsing through the contents if you have the time!
It was also a relief to know that in case I didn’t know what or how to tell my students the use of this Notebook, Microsoft has a page specially for my referral. It definitely is useful!
Under my sections, I’ve also found that there were pages that could be dedicated for Collaboration (21CLD) and the construction of knowledge. This function is especially useful for getting students to discuss.
Clicking on each individual student will drop down a navigation for either one of the Homework, Class Notes & Handouts. As a teacher, I could choose to upload assignment brief onto the Handouts Tab, where students can refer to easily.
Under my sections, I’ve also found that there were pages that could be dedicated for Collaboration (21CLD) and the construction of knowledge. This function is especially useful for getting students to discuss.
Clicking on each individual student will drop down a navigation for either one of the Homework, Class Notes & Handouts. As a teacher, I could choose to upload assignment brief onto the Handouts Tab, where students can refer to easily.
There were options for me to personalize the section as well as to delete or add new sections.
Here are some examples of how I have used OneNote Classroom for one of our Art Lessons on designing Personal Logo.
Students were asked to upload their completed image of their logos onto their personal tabs, under "Homework".
It made it convenient for me to access and have an overview of the entire class' submissions and also see their write-ups. It also helped me to keep up-to-date of any missing submissions.
Overall, OneNote Classroom is really a good way to get students to submit work or documents online. It eases the need to mark physical scripts and having to carry around stacks of paper!
We hope this eTip has given you a good introduction to how OneNote Classroom can be easily adapted to any lesson! Do try it out and share with us how you've used OneNote in your classroom! (^_^)
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