Tag Archives: PDF

The Write Way to Go

It’s the second half of the semester and for students required to hand in a semester-long research paper or write up a paper for a final, now may be a good time to begin reading all the literature and journal articles found weeks ago.  Nothing sounds more tedious to a penny-pinching student than having to print out 30-page articles, and that task doesn’t exactly go along with the goal of “Greener Earth”.

Check out this amazing tool that will help organize information in articles and allow users to type notes on PDFs. PDF Annotator is a tool that will allow users to open their previously saved PDF files and add text, images, stamps, freely written notes, or highlight the text on the page. We knew apps like this were available for use on iPads and such, but this is a great tool for a PC user. Download PDF Annotator and use the free 30 day trial to organize all those notes for that paper due at the end of the semester and save money and trees from printing those endless articles.

Save a Tree-Use Technology!

No, it is not Earth Day, (although we could all use a little spring weather in our lives right now) but we should always make an effort to reduce waste and find alternative ways to carry out our daily routines. And as members of a campus community, it’s pretty safe to say we may use paper like it’s water. So why not use some of the great technology we have to help reduce the amount of paper used in class? Here are a few ways you can reduce waste and add a little ease and convenience to your busy schedule.

Get SMART

Use your SMARTBoards! Not only will these boards mesmerize your students like they are magic, but they are fun, convenient, and extremely useful. Instead of writing notes on paper or distributing endless copies of exam reviews, use the SMARTBoard to write on internet pages, documents, PDFs, PowerPoints (really anything!), and then SMARTBoard can capture your notes so you can upload them to BlackBoard or send them to your students in PDF format.

Poll Away

Ahh Turning Point, another tool that may mesmerize your students. Do you use paper for quizzes? Attendance? Participation responses? All of these can be easily incorporated into a presentation and used through Turning Point. This audience response system allows instructors to ask questions in a presentation and receive responses from students. The best part is Turning Point actually reduces the work for you! No more having to fumble through papers to grade quizzes-simply import the results into Blackboard and your grading is complete!

Make your classes a little greener and check out how these quick tips (all available to you!) can help save some trees while making your life a little easier. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn how to start using these tools in your classroom.