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Paper or electronic planners?

24 replies

sweetfig · 22/06/2017 14:24

Do you have a preference? I've used both and the only advantage I can see to the paper version is you can't lose it if you forget to back it up! I do feel I should be using an electronic version in this new age but only have used a very simple excel spreadsheet. Can you recommend any good electronic ones to use?

OP posts:
cricketballs · 23/06/2017 06:11

I teach IT and I prefer a paper planner!

ASauvingnonADay · 23/06/2017 06:22

I prefer paper!

CauliflowerSqueeze · 23/06/2017 06:23

Paper. Always.

noblegiraffe · 23/06/2017 06:49

Electronic. I've got a school iPad and use Idoceo. It's great, would never go back to paper.

Legrandboucle · 24/06/2017 06:07

I have used the outlook calendar for years now. Our IT teacher creates Microsoft access database that you input your timetable in to and it updates outlook for the whole year. Its very quick and simple to use and can be accessed from anywhere. I can't believe people still use paper planners.

user1497480444 · 24/06/2017 06:20

paper, definitely. no doubt about it. Yo can't doodle on an electronic planner in a boring meeting.

cricketballs · 24/06/2017 06:41

user Grin

noblegiraffe · 24/06/2017 16:44

No, but you can go on MN! Grin

BizzyFizzy · 24/06/2017 16:46

Even though I am completely techie, I still prefer a paper planner. I would use an electronic one if I found one I liked, i.e. A duplicate of my paper one.

noblegiraffe · 24/06/2017 16:57

If you do have an electronic device like an ipad, really do investigate Idoceo. It syncs with the school outlook calendar so you don't need a separate note of when reports are due. It's got an electronic markbook which integrates with the seating plan section so you can instantly overlay test marks/PP status/SEN status onto your seating plan to check you haven't missed anything obvious and put a child with hearing difficulties on the back row.

And at the click of a button it can generate personalised student reports with their marks for the year which it will either email to parents or you can print it out to hand out at parents' evening.

YogiYoni · 24/06/2017 22:56

This is my kind of thread.

My handwriting is not neat enough for a paper planner (plus what happens when you change plan part way through the lesson or get through a bit more or a bit less than you expected? Does your paper planner not end up all crossed out?)

I just use word, but I'm definitely going to be checking out the Access / Ideceo options. Thank you.

QueenieGoldstein · 25/06/2017 08:05

I bullet journal in place of a traditional planner. All my planning is done electronically.

TheFallenMadonna · 25/06/2017 15:11

Electronic. I wrote in my paper planner for two weeks in September. That's it.

samlovesdilys · 25/06/2017 22:20

I use outlook and take great pleasure in colour coding my lessons!! Also then I get it in my phone too...

YogiYoni · 09/07/2017 20:23

So you got me all excited by Idoceo, but it only works on Apple and that seems daft as I'd need to take an iPad to school (iPads aren't normal in my school). Does anyone know of something similar that I could use on Windows, or am I best just using Access?

dinahmorris · 11/07/2017 14:42

Oooh, idoceo looks awesome. Can it link so you can plan a sequence of lessons with the same class (or will I need to suggest that for the next update)?

I've always had paper but I think I may need to move with the times a bit.

PumpkinPie2016 · 11/07/2017 17:48

I love my paper teacher's planner - I even buy a nicely coloured one with my name on it Grin

I can not things down in the lesson of needed e.g. Jenny needs to do her test next lesson, 5 pupils are on a trip next week etc - I'm not sure I would do it on an electronic version.

I second being able to doodle in meetings to Grin

Doomhutch · 11/07/2017 19:37

I've never been able to get my head around using paper diaries - real life or school! I dutifully put all the term dates in, and then just use it to make notes in staff meetings.

I use google calendar, and have a separate 'school' category. I can see it on my phone, school computer, home computer.

But then I don't use a planner to plan lessons, that's all just on the MTP and flipcharts at my school.

Fancyaruck · 11/07/2017 20:23

Is Idoceo worth the ££? I always get a free paper planner through school and I'm a tight arse so not sure if I want to invest...

Rosieposy4 · 11/07/2017 20:34

I have a school ipad and use idoceo for mark books, timetable, random student choice for questionning etc but have gone back to a paper planner for my actual planning notes. I much prefer it that way, i can idocey up and open with seating plan or mark book and paper planner with what is going on when at the same time. I did try totally electronic with ideoceo about three years and felt slighty out of control and off the pace all year.
On a side note i use pirongs but am desperate for a planner company that will sell a single planner with the dates pre entered.

Acopyofacopy · 11/07/2017 21:01

I am very techie but still prefer a paper planner!
Toying with the idea of making Showmyhomework my marbook, but have to work on a few issues still...

Re. planners with dates: schools can order these, weeks already named as well. One of my previous schools did this. It was fab.

Rosieposy4 · 11/07/2017 21:13

Yes acopy, my last school did, as did my current one until about 4 years ago. But they are only available in school sized orders. Since my school is an iPad school we no longer get paper planners and i cannot find anywhere that will sell you a single planner ( with the bits i need in terms of lesson per day etc) with the dates prepopulated.
First world problem tbh, but it irks me.

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FrogsLegs31 · 11/07/2017 21:15

So surprised at how many people still use paper!

I have to admit to finding mine buried in a stack of resources this afternoon as I cleared out my room.

Never even put my name on it... off to recycling it went.

I'm digital only. I use idoceo, wunderlist and a weekly excel file for the same jobs.

noblegiraffe · 12/07/2017 00:14

dinah yes, you can open a diary view for a class which shows you the dates of 6 lessons at a time with them, then plan the sequence. When you go back to calendar view that will then have those lessons put in on the normal week view with your other classes.

I use it to plan my life too, I have a 'sixth' lesson on my timetable where I write stuff like 'post mum's birthday card' or 'dentist 4pm'.

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