Do your students have papers falling out of their desks or backpacks?
When was the last time you said, “Get out the notes from yesterday” and at least one of your students doesn’t know where the notes disappeared to?
If your students are anything like mine were, then you are giggling to yourself and nodding your head right now thinking of one or maybe a few students in particular.
This article will give you some tips to help keep your students organized by introducing them to interactive digital notebooks.
What Are Interactive Digital Notebooks?
Well, I’m sure you have heard of regular interactive notebooks right? Interactive Digital Notebooks are the digital version of this popular teaching strategy.
The idea behind interactive notebooks is to encourage student engagement and participation as they are cutting, gluing, and taking notes, while organizing their work into one single space, i.e. the notebook.
An interactive digital notebook takes this concept a step further. Students organize ALL of their notes, guides, assignments, activities, etc. into this digital space provided by you.
This interactive digital notebook with dividers will help your students stay organized with all of their class notes. You will never have to hear “I can’t find that paper” again!
I call my Google slides interactive digital notebook an INFINITY Notebook. An INFINITY Notebook is a digital notebook that students can use for EVERY SUBJECT all in one!
Are Interactive Notebooks Effective?
Interactive Notebooks encourage students to be creative and design their own learning tools. This is no different with interactive digital notebooks. Students are simply changing the method in which they express their creativity to a digital form.
This method is all the more effective in meeting the rigor and goals of our modern 21st century educational system.
Not only are students organizing and completing assignments within the digital notebook, but they are essentially compiling a portfolio of all of their learning within this digital space.
Notes and lessons can easily be built upon digitally, as well as recalled when a student needs to revisit a concept later down the road.
There is also something to be said about how students can take ownership of a self designed and created portfolio by using an interactive virtual notebook.
How Do Students Use Digital Interactive Notebooks?
For students to be successful using interactive digital notebooks, the teacher must first introduce them to the layout, and if necessary the skills needed to navigate the digital platform. Then with practice and guidance, students learn to insert images and files directly into the notebook, as well as type their own notes into their digital space.
Why is Classroom Organization Important?
It is important to provide organization for students in order to help them maximize their learning potential.
Think about your own experiences. Visualize a messy desk area with papers strewn about and files stacked high with no apparent system for tracking them in place.
Now visualize a nice and neat desk area with a filing system detailing information by category, or even color coded.
Which work space do you prefer? Which one would make you feel, and ultimately be more productive?
While students may not realize, or be able to admit, they perform better and learn more effectively in an organized space.
That is what interactive digital notebooks provide for your students. A digital space for them to collect, store, and reference all of their notes, guides, assignments, etc.
So, are you convinced that you need to give interactive digital notebooks a try? Check out my templates on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Want to keep yourself organized, and in turn provide your students with this useful skill? Check out these Classroom Management Slides to promote organization in your classroom.
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