When it comes to teachers, we’re usually the planning type. I know that I am OBSESSED with planners. But over the past couple school years, I found that I loved using a digital planner. Here’s 6 reasons why I love using a digital planner and why you should give it a try too! Plus I have a free planner template for you!
1. Easy revisions
Because the planner is digital, it makes changing my plans so easy! Just delete and re-type. Or what’s even better off copy and paste if I just need to shift the dates around! So much easier than erasing and rewriting in a physical planner.
2. Quick access to online sources
I often use documents, videos, or even full lessons that are online or saved within my Google Drive. With my digital planner, I am able to link those directly to the day so I can access them quickly. This makes getting set up for classes easy, finding the originals for copies is lightning fast, and makes my prep so much more productive! Plus I can also link my presentations on the calendar as well, so they’re just a click away.
3. Shareable
Another amazing aspect of using a digital planner is it is easily shareable with other staff members. If I have a para educator assigned to my class, I can share my planner with them so they can have access to what we’ll be learning in advance (and the resources because of number 2!). Along with sharing with para educators, I can also share with my planning cohort so that we can make sure we’re at a similar pace in the curriculum!
4. Makes reflecting easy
After each day of teaching, it’s super easy to write a quick note to myself under the lesson for that day for future reference. That way, when I come back to my planner, I can remember what went well and what needs some tweaks!
5. Unlimited space
With a digital planner, I can make the boxes as big or little as I want! And I never run out of room either! For someone as wordy as me, knowing I can do a complete reflection or add as much information as I need to make me feel much more confident than using a paper planner.
6. Simple color-coding
I love to color code my preps, so with a digital planner, it’s so easy to highlight or change the color of the text! Or I can highlight entire days to different colors if I need to bring attention to them – grades being due, weird schedule day, planned observations, etc!
When it comes to a digital planner, I will always use one as it streamlines teaching for me and recommend it to others regularly. To encourage you to try it out, I have made a digital planner calendar template for you to have for free! So try it for a week and see if you enjoy it, if not, no worries!
1 Comment
Great ideas! This year, I transitioned to a digital planner for personal use, but I like how it could be used to manage teaching better.