Highly Recommend the Use of OneNote

 

It has been a week since I have researched OneNote as an academic software for the Teaching and Learning platform. It seems that Microsoft is keeping up to date with checks and fixing of any problems that may arise on the software. That is a plus as it shows the creators and those running the software listens to complaints from the users and try as best as possible to rectify it.

 

Below is my Software Review for perusal.

ACADEMIC SOFTWARE EVALUATION RUBRIC

Evaluate the academic software by rating the features listed below. Selecting the cell that best reflects your opinion and record the total

Software: OneNote

Description: OneNote is a digital note taking app that allows the user to store all their notes in one place. The allows users to categorize, organized and interfaces with other Microsoft apps.

Vendor: Microsoft software

Notes on Use: this software allows you to take notes, categorise documents, use video/audio content, add links and it is easily accessible on any devices.

Name of Participant: Dionne Browne

SOFTWARE FEATURES	1 Poor	2 Below Average	3 Average	4 Above Average	5 Excellent	Score
Documentation	Documentation is excessively technical and/or difficult to follow	Documentation is generally understandable but not very user friendly	Documentation is easy to follow and understand; includes all necessary components	Clear documentation that is logical and easy to follow	Very clear easy to read, logical and complete documentation	4
Site License	No licensing available	Site license are available but limited to limited options	Site license available at reasonable cost	Special, low site licensing pricing for education	Educators may use for free without a site license	4.5
Installation	Complex to install; poor installation instructions	Installation somewhat difficult; instructions minimal	Installation process typical; instructions fairly clear and complete	Easy to install, clear easy to understand instructions	Self-installation; step by step instructions included	5
Technical Support	No toll free telephone or online support available	No local support or online support. Phone support available for an hourly rate	Local support and phone support available for moderate fee. Limited online support	Local tech help is available for a few hours per day, no-charge phone support. Online support is available	Local help and to free phone support readily available at no charge. 24 hours online support	3
Help Features	No online or text based help available	A read Me text file is included; no online help	Online help is context sensitive and provides clear assistance	Automatic online help available for every feature,  online chat  available for 12 hours	Automatic online help available for every feature,  online chat available for 24 hours	4
Grade Level	Not suited for intended grade level	Some features unsuitable for intended grade level	Majority of features suitable for intended grade level	Most features appropriate and suitable for intended grade level	All features both suitable and appropriate for grade level	4.5
Standards	Does not address target standards	Few standards addressed; Many standards ignored	A majority of the standards are addressed	Most of the desired standards are addressed	All of the target standards and others are addressed	4
Active Learning	Interaction is passive; no active learning encouraged	Interaction mostly passive; a few active learning activities included	Interaction offers average learning opportunities; some activities too passive	Good active interaction provided through a majority of hardware	Students are actively engaged during all components of software	4.5
Save Features	Students cannot interrupt and save work	Student work can be saved to external storage but it cannot be reused	Students can save their work to continue working on it in the future	Automatically saves the student’s work when the program is closed	Both automatically and manually, student’s work can be saved and restarted at the same point later	5
Hardware Compatibility	Works on relatively few available computers; requires additional hardware	Works at several machines; requires upgrade to some available computers	Will work on most machines with minimal or no hardware upgrades or additions	Works on most available machines without hardware upgrades or additions	Works on all available machines without hardware upgrades or additions	4
Cost	High cost relative to features	Somewhat expensive relative to features	Average cost for features offered	Reasonably priced with numerous features for the cost	Special low pricing for educational users for abundant features	4
TOTAL						46.5/55

Extracted from myeducation kit- Teaching and Learning with Technology

 

I will highly recommend OneNote for schools as a tool to be used within teaching and learning. The ability to save content for future use as an educator is a major plus for me. This software allows the educator to assess the notes students have, share information and comment on students notes in real time. No longer will students have to wait in class to review notes or grades with the teacher, but they can go away and see the comments from their tutors, listen (if available) to comments made by the tutor and engage in learning outside of books.

I especially like that it is available on any device. Therefore, students are not at a disadvantage if they do not have a desktop or laptop to view notes.

Under the OneNote, there is also an application for Classroom OneNote where the teacher can assess students, grade assignments, peer tutor and allow students to focus in on aspects of the notes in real time by zooming in on content while teaching online.

The installation process is quick and not drawn out. It is supported by Microsoft 365, so some microsoft devices may already have this application available under the Microsoft app. Moreover, the save features are the same as all Microsoft feature, in that, the information is saved automatically when you are logged into your onedrive account.

My only set back will be the lack of local support, however, when the Ministry of Education by-in process, they can train ITC’s as well as others within the Ministry of Education to become local support for the use of this product. However, Microsoft walks you through any challenges using the software using algorithms and coded words which actives videos.

 

I would advocate for OneNote as another tool within our Education system in Barbados.