Apps – Notability and GoToMeeting

Apps – Notability and GoToMeeting

The last couple of weeks, in the ipad class, I had the opportunity to actually utilize two apps.  The first was Notability. We were asked to work with partners from a different grade level.  I worked with Tina and we imported the PDF of the app rubric from Edmodo into Notability.  We first opened the PDF in Edmodo and had to send the document to the app Notability.  Once in Notability, we were able to highlight, erase, hand write type on the PDF.  We filled out the rubric and was able to send the PDF back to Edmodo and turn it in for the assignment.  Going back later, I looked at the cut and paste feature in Notability.  I did notice I could only cut, copy or paste what I had added to the PDF, none of the original document was affected.  I also created a new note in the app for the Book Spine Poetry, I had my sixth graders work on.  I was able to import pictures of their poetry.  Tina and I were able to record ourselves reading the poetry within the app.  I would be able to have the students sign their names or we could opt to have their names typed.  I see potential for a math class as a student could record how they solved their problem and voice record themselves detailing the step they took.  I do not see this as a way to present a final project but as an app to dissect the process of an activity.  I hope to look at Haiku Deck app as a possible app for presenting a final project.  Tina posted a link in Edmodo on how one teacher used Notability to weed a library.  I will need to take time to view this link.

The class held a virtual meeting using the app GoToMeeting.  Several tasks had to be completed before the meeting could be successfully attended.  I helped a couple of my fellow librarians set up their work email on the iPad.  The steps for this should be recorded so we may help others (teachers).  Students currently do not have email accounts through the district and I feel it will be a long time before they do.  We then made sure the school email account was linked to their calendar.  The instructor had sent the directions to the meeting through the calendar in OutLook.  The next step was to help them create iTunes accounts without credit cards on their iPads.  For the class, they used their work emails as their Apple IDS.  As we look to add free apps we will need to create Apple IDs for school library use only so not to inadvertently use our personal accounts.  Once this was done, they could then download the app GoToMeeting which is free.  The meeting time was then visible in the app and we could select it to join the meeting at 5:00.  It appeared that everyone was able to join the meeting.  A feature we noted was that you could mute the iPad during the meeting, this is a plus as many of us need to multitask.  The presenter could either allow us to view him or see his desktop.  It seems this as a great way to teach various apps.  There was possible mention that the presenter could record themselves for archival purposes.  Participants could also interject their own video feed if need be.  My favorite feature was the ability to message either the group as a whole, or individual participants.  An echo was present through most of the meeting which it ended up being from the presenter side as the microphone was picking up the speaker.  Though I see the potential use of this app, I am concerned with the yearly subscription for the presenter.  With tight library budgets which must be spent on books, we would need to try to seek alternative funding sources.  I heard of another meeting tool  appear.in for PCs however the school browser does not support that tool.  I did experiment with FaceTime with another librarian Peggy.  She walked around the library and we explored ways to hold small group to small group.  At this time, the best option for us would be FaceTime as it is free.