After going back to a paper planner after trying an excel planner, I’m also tempted to go back to a paper mark book, for the simple reason of being able to take it round the class with me. At the moment I print of a list of names write the marks down then I have the task of entering that into the markbook later (or not) as another piece of admin that just bogs me down.
There are other advantages (or disadvantages): I think I’m less likely to forget my book especially if its in the same book as my planner whereas my memory stick lives down at my feet in the machine on the floor (I have made a speciality of forgeting it on Friday night which complicates planning). Back up once a month by photocopying (just slightly more complicated than the stick)
The only thing is my penmanship on such documents is not accurate and mistakes could be costly.
Heya mate. I have an excel planner now as my old fashioned paper markbook was getting scrappy, especially where I have changed marks.
Do you not have any network space? I keep mine on the PC at school and then back up to my stick and home once a week.
Also why do you print off the names to put the marks in? Why not put them straight into excel??
I tend to mark at home. If I left the spreadsheets on the network then I would have to copy the new versions across which can be a chore.
If you are doing on screen assessment and looking at folders I find it easier to go round myself. Do you get the kids to bring the work to you?
Oh, I can’t upload a file
I found that paper assessment was soooo much better than electronic. I came to the conclusion that automatic assessment (moodle/pupils assessing themselves etc) was fine to be on a computer.
But nothing beats paper for reliability, ease of use and taking around the classroom.
I’ll email you a copy of what I used. Simply edit the class list and it will update the attendance/afl/behaviour sheets for you ready to print. My dept has put it into a nicely binded markbook complete with photos of the kids
Have you tried the TPIM software ~ from Chris Farmer? http://www.csfsoftware.co.uk about £40 for a single user license, tho’ you can trial it free for 30 days ~ brilliant planner record keeper, seating plans, register, incident sheets etc. Altogether a great site with lots to download.