After

We are a geek family. There I said it. My husband is a former software engineer now a working photographer. My son is a software engineer. I was an Instructional Technology Specialist (computer teacher) for 5 years.So embracing new technology is kind of fun for me. I like to see if I can break software by asking it to do something on the edge of functionality. And yes, I know how geeky that sounds.This year, after using Word and Excel to create planbooks for myself, I am embracing the cloud. Evernote, dropbox, google docs.... whatever can make something created in one place visible and functional in another.I stumbled across two planbook packages that looked promising, but have decided to work with planbookedu. Here's what I like: I can pull out both Common Core and Massachusetts state (2004) standards and attach them to records, I can create a template, I can work on any of the platforms that I have access to (iPad, Mac, PC). I can easily share my planbook, something that I have had to do in the past when I worked as a Special Ed. inclusion partner classroom.What is still unknown - because our school is being rewired - is whether or not the planbookedu website will be blocked by our school filter. Dont' laugh, I assume nothing in all things involving the web and education.What I hope to accomplish through using planbookedu is a greener approach to lesson planning. Last year, each week's plans required 10 pages of paper (and laserjet toner). This year I should need zero paper. Even if the web address gets blocked by the school system's filter, I can download my plans to reside locally on my iPad. And when a substitute is needed, I can attach those same plans to the request made through the program our district uses for teacher attendance.This all seems like a workable solution to the huge notebook full of paper that I've had to keep in my classroom to prove I actually do make plans. Free versions of the software are available (no sharing functionality) and a full-function 14-day trial also available.