Microsoft OneNote has optimized collaboration across all boards, especially education. OneNote is an effective tool that can be utilized by educators, school administration, students, as well as parents or guardians. This blog post will cover the key features of this web tool and highlight ways this web tool can be implemented throughout the spheres of education.
Features
Cloud-based sharing
All documents shared in OneNote are accessible across wifi-enabled devices such as laptops, mobile phones, and desktop computers. There is also an option to view documents offline by exporting them. All that is required is a Microsoft account.
Cloud-based sharing makes information accessible for users without demanding they be in a physical place at a given time. This feature saves time and gives opportunities for better productivity.
Note-taking
Similar to a multiple-subject notebook, OneNote has the feature to add multiple Notebooks within its system. Users can organize each Notebook into specific sections, and within each section, pages can be added and labeled. Notes are added to each page with limitless options for formatting, similar to the features found in Microsoft word. In addition, media such as videos, links, pictures, documents, and audio recordings can be added to OneNote with ease.
Editing
Notebooks can be shared with other users for editing. Users who have access to a Notebook can collaborate on assignments or projects as if they were their own. To turn off a shared Notebook, users can adjust who has access to it. Edits can be added in the form of grammar revisions, added media, voice messages, comments, and much more.
Collaboration Examples Using OneNote
In a history classroom, a teacher assigned a group project for students to create a presentation of an assigned country’s culture. Group members come together to create a Notebook in OneNote to collaborate on the assignment together during class and at home. As students work on the project and add their data, they simultaneously review their group member’s notes, leaving comments or questions if necessary. Come presentation day,
A student will be absent from class for an extended amount of time. To keep this student from falling behind, the teacher shares a Notebook with class content, activities, and scanned textbook pages. As the student keeps up with their work, the teacher leaves messages of encouragement and praise by editing the Notebook and adding audio input. If the student has any questions, they add a comment or audio message within the Notebook.
School administration has come up with an idea to implement a mentorship program within its staff where seasoned educators give guidance to first-year teachers. Admin creates a Notebook and shares it with two teachers to collaborate on together throughout the school year. First-year teachers input their lesson plans for revision, student behavior logs for advice, and documents to review together. As soon as these notes are added, the experienced teacher can view them and offer immediate support which is exactly what the first-year teacher is in need of! Instead of relying on emails, phone calls, or physical meetings, both educators can collaborate more quickly, which not only saves time for them but also for their student’s learning.