NOTEBOOK/BINDER
Having a notebook/binder for each class that you teach is extremely helpful. The notebook/binder should include items, such as chapter notes, lesson plans, class syllabi, tests, quizzes, handouts, activities, etc. Most people store needed teaching materials electronically, but having a notebook/binder that consists of hard copy materials is a great backup plan in case something happens to your computer/printer. Notebooks/binders are thought to be a teaching resource that is "old school", but it has served to be very beneficial to me in more ways than one. When school equipment is down, instructors come to me wanting to know if I have a hard copy of this document and that document. I serve as a savior to them each time because I do not put all my dependency in electronics. Electronics are way too risky to depend on them solely. Always have a backup plan for needed class materials, such as a notebook/binder for each subject taught.
As a planning and preparation tool, I agree with you. It is much easier to be organized with all the assignments and tracking in a single place. Having the work organized helps to bolster student confidence in the learning process. They see that you too are very serious about their achievements.
In addition to having the prep work organized, I put as much in excel in the form of class achievement matrices so that I can use the information during the class session. Students often ask where they stand on a particular assignment. Although I use rubric that are passed out before and after the speech assignments, I use excel to demonstrate how to effectively translate information into graphs...or to make it visually appealing. The students tend to pick up on the techniques when they are asked to prepare a presentation.
I definitely agree with using both an Excel file and a notebook to keep track grades, attendance, notes, etc. The notebook is an excellent physical backup, and I keep one for each term I teach. I used binders all the time when I was a student, but they tended to get bulky. Since my classes aren't large, I have a dedicated back pack with many pockets for all my course material and graded papers.
At the same time, at our college, we also use Engrade as an online gradebook. Program directors and students can check their progress at any time. Usually Engrade has no server troubles, so if anything happens with our college's internet connection, students can check their grades at home or on their mobile devices. If available, Blackboard is also wonderful in my experience.
I too have notebooks and I rely on them. I can flip throuigh the documents to see exactly what a test might look like or handouts that I might want to use. If there is not time to access a computer, it is easier to share them. I do also have copies of my files on flash drive. I also use multi-pocket accordian folders. There are different colors and labeled for each class. These house the student documents and tests at least until the end of the semester.
I have a notebook/binder for each course I teach. There have been many times when access to a computer was limited and I had to rely on hardcopies. Also, as I read professional journals, I tend to discover articles that I want to share with the students. Copies of these go straight into the notebook for future reference. The notebooks also help when new faculty are brought on board. It gives them insight into what material is covered and comfort in seeing that most of the material is already at their fingertips.
I agree Patricia. As a new Instructor, one cannot always rely on technology. I have created a binder this term and plan to do so with other courses that I will teach in the future.
