What's your New Year’s Resolution? Many of us say, "This year I will stay organized." We all get our new shiny calendars with the best intentions to keep track of our tasks. What about those tasks that require working with others?
Say hello to Trello, an online collaboration tool to use in real time with your colleagues. Are you working on curriculum with other teachers or collaborating on student progress but can't meet in person? Have you been selected to be a building representative and need to plan a district-wide activity? Trello is a tool that organizes, allows you to invite your colleagues, work in real time, and use your web devices to execute a project. In the classroom, you can group students to work together on a project. Or students can work from home. This is especially effective when students cannot drive or unable to get a ride from a family member. All you need is a Trello app on your computer.
Trello is a collaboration tool that works using boards (collections of lists), lists and cards (tasks) to organize workflow. In a glance, you can see what is being worked on and who is working on what. Reduces the redundant emails!
- Set up an account online https://trello.com/
- Create a Board: e.g. Fourth Grade Curriculum
- Invite Members- can be made public or for members only
- Add cards for each task that needs to be done, e.g., Math Goals to meet Core Standards
- When a task is finished, move it to the Done board
Why? We all live in a hectic world with a lot of tasks to complete daily. Trello is one way to reduce the stress of meetings while keeping everyone organized and on the same page. Trello is free for the iPhone, iTouch and iPad. The app is in the beginning stages but be assured additional features are coming soon.Impress your staff at your next meeting - introduce Trello!
Vicki Windman is a special education teacher at Clarkstown High School South.
