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February 9, 2024 By Karen Kenjosian

Harnessing the Power of Time

In the dynamic world of education, time is an essential yet often overlooked component. Managing and using time effectively is not just a key life skill for students; it’s also a critical factor in the learning process. Timed assignments play a pivotal role in this arena, offering a range of benefits that extend far beyond mere time management.

The Need for Timed Assignments

Timed assignments are more than just deadlines. They create a structured environment where students can learn to prioritize, focus, and think critically under pressure. This is particularly important in an era where distractions are rampant, and attention spans are challenged. By incorporating timed elements into assignments, educators can simulate real-world scenarios and testing environments, such as Advanced Placement (AP) exams, where time management is crucial.

Benefits of Timed Assignments

  • Improved Time Management: Timed assignments teach students to allocate their time effectively, an invaluable skill in both academic and professional settings.
  • Enhanced Focus: With a set time limit, students are encouraged to concentrate and minimize distractions, leading to deeper engagement with the material.
  • Preparation for Standardized Tests: Many standardized tests, including AP exams, are timed. Regular exposure to timed assignments can help students perform better under similar conditions.
  • Development of Critical Thinking: Working within time constraints often requires quick thinking and decision-making, honing students’ critical thinking skills.

Scrible’s Solution

While Scrible doesn’t offer a direct timer function (yet😉), its ability to set specific start and end dates and times for assignments ingeniously addresses the need for timed educational activities. This feature allows educators to create a controlled, time-bound environment replicating students’ pressures and constraints in various academic, college, and career scenarios. Whether it’s for preparing for high-stakes exams, engaging in reflective writing, maintaining a consistent journaling practice, or tackling free response questions (FRQs), Scrible’s time-setting feature proves to be a versatile and effective tool.

Preparing for Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

AP exams are known for their stringent timing requirements. For example, the AP English Literature exam includes a free-response section where students are given 2 hours to write three essays. In a Scrible assignment, teachers can mimic this environment by setting a similar timeframe. They could create an assignment that starts at a specific time and ends exactly 2 hours later, providing students with practice in managing their time effectively under exam-like conditions.

Free Response Questions (FRQs)

Free-response questions are a common assessment tool in many subjects. They require students to construct their responses based on their knowledge and understanding of a topic. In Scrible, teachers can set up assignments with FRQs to be completed within a designated timeframe, mirroring the conditions of in-class tests. This helps students practice organizing their thoughts and writing under time constraints.

Reflection Writing

Reflection writing encourages students to think deeply about a topic or experience. In a classroom setting, giving students a set time to reflect can help them focus and engage more deeply without being overwhelmed. For instance, a teacher could set a 30-minute window in a Scrible assignment for students to reflect on a particular reading or class discussion. This limitation can encourage succinctness and clarity in their thoughts.

Journaling

Journaling in an educational context can be an excellent way for students to chronicle their learning journey or express thoughts and feelings about a subject. Teachers can encourage daily or weekly writing habits by setting a specific start and end time for a journaling assignment in Scrible. For example, a weekly journaling assignment might open every Monday morning and close on Friday evening, prompting students to engage with the material regularly.

Scrible’s ability to set assignments’ start and end times offers educators a versatile tool. It can be tailored to suit various educational activities, from rigorous exam preparation to reflective journaling, enhancing both the teaching and learning experience. This approach not only helps in time management but also prepares students for scenarios where they will have to work within time limits, a skill that is invaluable in both academic and real-world settings.

Filed Under: Product Tagged With: AP exam preparation, critical thinking in education, educational journaling, Educational Technology, free response questions, reflection writing, Scrible features, standardized test preparation, time management in education, timed assignments

February 1, 2024 By Karen Kenjosian

Revolutionizing Student Learning and Teacher Support at Downers Grove North High School

The Scrible team is thrilled to showcase the remarkable transformation at Downers Grove North High School, where our platform has significantly enhanced student learning and teacher support.

The Challenge of Organizational Efficiency in Education

Downers Grove North High School, nestled in Downers Grove, Illinois, faced a pivotal challenge: disorganization and lack of support for student learning. The school was searching for an effective solution to streamline its educational processes and bolster student and teacher performance.

The Impact of Scrible

Enter Scrible. With its introduction, the school experienced a revolutionary change in its approach to education. The platform enabled teachers to provide more focused support to students, and students found a structured and efficient way to manage their learning.

The Transformational Results

The Library Department Chair, Allison Bava, shares the phenomenal outcomes: “With Scrible, we’ve been able to accomplish growth…in student learning, teaching, and support for teachers…it’s been awesome.” The school witnessed an 80% improvement in student performance, a 40% growth in departmental development, and a significant 60% reduction in teacher preparation time.

Scrible: A Tool Beyond Comparison

One key advantage Ms. Bava highlights is Scrible’s ability to integrate seamlessly into the school’s existing framework. “Scrible helps us do so much for our students and teachers,” she notes, emphasizing how the tool has become an integral part of their educational toolkit.

A New Era in Education

The story of Downers Grove North High School is a testament to the transformative power of Scrible in the educational sector. It’s not just about improving grades or streamlining processes; it’s about creating an environment where students and teachers alike can thrive.

Watch the Full Story

Watch Allison Bava’s insightful discussion to learn more about how Downers Grove North High School revolutionized its educational approach with Scrible.

Join us in celebrating the success of Downers Grove North High School, and stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our Scrible Spotlight series. Whether you’re a Scrible newbie or a seasoned user, there’s always something new to discover and ways to enhance your educational journey with Scrible. Let’s keep Scribling towards a smarter future!

Filed Under: Scrible Spotlight Tagged With: Allison Bava, Downers Grove North High School, Education Process Improvement, Education Success, Education Technology, Education Transformation, Educational Development, Educational Efficiency, Educational Process Streamlining, Educational Solutions, Enhanced Learning Environment, Grade Improvement, High School Education, Library Department Innovation, scrible, Scrible Impact, Scrible Spotlight, Scrible Success Stories, Scrible Toolkit, Student Learning, Student Performance, Teacher Preparation, Teacher Support, Teaching Aids

January 23, 2024 By Karen Kenjosian

Color Coding: A Simple Tool for More Effective Academic Writing

The art of writing, particularly in academic settings, is a journey that can be both challenging and rewarding. One innovative approach garnering attention in recent years is using color coding in writing. This method, which involves assigning different colors to various elements of writing, has been shown to significantly enhance the effectiveness and organization of student writing (Ewoldt & Morgan, 2017; Room 213, 2019).

The Benefits of Color Coding in Writing

Color coding as a writing strategy offers a multitude of benefits. It helps organize thoughts and ideas, which makes complex writing tasks more manageable (Color Coding Your Writing, n.d.). According to the ZANCO Journal of Humanity Sciences (2021), color coding can improve academic writing skills, particularly in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes. This approach allows students to clearly distinguish between different types of information, such as arguments, evidence, and counterarguments, thereby enhancing the clarity and coherence of their writing.

Moreover, research by Geigle (n.d.) highlights how color coding can positively affect students’ emotional engagement with writing tasks. By reducing anxiety and increasing interest, color coding makes writing more enjoyable and less daunting for students.

Implementing Color Coding in the Classroom

In practice, color coding can be applied in various ways:

  1. Structuring Essays: Assign colors to different parts of an essay – introduction, main arguments, evidence, and conclusion – to help students visualize the structure of their writing (Thierolf, 2024).
  2. Highlighting Different Source Types: In literature reviews, different colors can be used for primary sources, secondary sources, and review articles, aiding in source organization (Kruse, 2019).
  3.  Revision Process: Students can use color coding to identify areas that need improvement, such as grammar, argument strength, or evidence support (The Writer’s Palette, n.d.).

Academic Research Supporting Color Coding

Various studies have supported the academic benefits of color coding. Ewoldt and Morgan (2017) discussed using color-coded graphic organizers to assist students with learning disabilities in writing, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing organization and structure. Additionally, the study by Zainal Abidin et al. (2022) in the International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences highlighted the positive impact of color coding in online learning environments, where it helped reduce stress and improve organization in academic writing.

Color coding in academic writing is more than just a visually appealing strategy; it is a practical tool that enhances students’ understanding, organization, and engagement with writing tasks. As educators continue to seek innovative ways to support student learning, color coding emerges as a valuable and research-backed technique that can transform the writing experience in classrooms.

To see how Scrible facilitates color-coding in the classroom, read Elevate Your Writing with Color Coding.

References

Color-code Strategy for Improving Writing Academic Paragraphs in EFL Classes. (2021). ZANCO Journal of Humanity Sciences, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.21271/zjhs.25.2.15

Color-coding your highlighting when reading articles and book chapters. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19, 2024, from www.raulpacheco.org/2015/10/color-coding-your-highlighting-when-reading-articles-and-book-chapters/

Ewoldt, K. B., & Morgan, J. J. (2017). Color-Coded Graphic Organizers for Teaching Writing to Students with Learning Disabilities. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 49(3), 175–184. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040059916681769

Geigle, B. A. (n.d.). How Color Coding Formulaic Writing Enhances Organization: A Qualitative Approach for Measuring Student Affect.

Geigle, B. A. (2014). How Color Coding Formulaic Writing Enhances Organization: A Qualitative Approach for Measuring Student Affect [Humphreys College]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED554555.pdf

Jacobs, E. (n.d.). Color Coding Your Writing. Https://Www.Brandeis.Edu/. Retrieved January 19, 2024, from www.brandeis.edu/writing-program/resources/faculty/wi-instructor-resources/color-coding.htmlColor Coding Your Writing. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19, 2024, from www.brandeis.edu/writing-program/resources/faculty/wi-instructor-resources/color-coding.html

Kruse, M. (2019, January 29). 11 Ways to Use Color-Coding Strategies in the Classroom – . Reading and Writing Haven. www.readingandwritinghaven.com/ways-to-use-color-coding-strategies-in-the-classroom

Rizky, W. (2018). THE EFFECT OF COLOR CODING STRATEGY IN STUDENTS’ WRITING PROCEDURE. State University for Islamic Studies.

Sherah. “The Writer’s Palette: Color-Coding as a Revision Strategy.” Https://Cambridgecoaching.Com/, blog.cambridgecoaching.com/the-writers-palette-color-coding-as-a-revision-strategy. Accessed 19 Jan. 2024.

Supporting Organization in Persuasive Writing. (n.d.). TWO WRITING TEACHERS. Retrieved January 19, 2024, from twowritingteachers.org/2014/04/07/supporting-organization-in-persuasive-writing/

The Research Is In — Color-Coded Writing Instruction Works | Essaypop Help Center. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://intercom.help/essaypop/en/articles/5330969-the-research-is-in-color-coded-writing-instruction-works

Thierolf, M. (n.d.). Rainbow it Up! The Color-Coded Essay. The Educators Room. Retrieved January 19, 2024, from theeducatorsroom.com/rainbow-color-coded-essay/

Visualizing Essay Elements: A Color-Coded Approach to Academic Writing | Essaypop Help Center. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19, 2024, from https://intercom.help/essaypop/en/articles/5330969-visualizing-essay-elements-a-color-coded-approach-to-academic-writing

“Visualizing Essay Elements: A Color-Coding Approach to Teaching First-year Writing” | Manifold @CUNY. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19, 2024, from cuny.manifoldapp.org/read/visualizing-essay-elements-a-color-coding-approach-to-teaching-first-year-writing-5e1beee3-eb79-410c-9ca7-9a3af4a3e636/section/ff7f752a-532c-46c6-8d86-4b144e132fc6

Zainal Abidin, N. S., Rahmat, N. H., Razlan, Z., Soon Sim, M., Adam, S., & Kamarulzaman, M. H. (2022). Colour Your Writing: The Case for Online Learning. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 12(7). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v12-i7/13930

Filed Under: Tip Tuesday Tagged With: academic writing, argumentative writing, cognitive difficulties, color coding, Educational Innovation, Educational Technology, effective writing techniques, essay planning, linguistic difficulties, memory enhancement, online learning, organizing academic work, physiology in writing, research paper organization, scrible, stress reduction, student challenges, Writing Process, writing strategies, writing tools

January 17, 2024 By Karen Kenjosian

Navigating the World of Research with Expanded Citation Styles

Hello, Scrible Community! In our journey of continuous improvement, we’re excited to bring you a significant update to Scrible Edu Pro’s citation capabilities. We understand the importance of accurate and diverse citation styles and haveexpanded our library to include a wide array of new formats to support this charge.

In the dynamic world of academic standards, citation styles continuously adapt, mirroring shifts in language and cultural practices. The Modern Language Association (MLA) has progressed to its 9th edition, and the American Psychological Association (APA) to its 7th, embodying the evolving landscape of research and technology. It’s imperative for scholars to keep pace with these developments.

Adhering to academic and professional norms, various disciplines favor distinct citation methods. Humanities predominantly use MLA, while the social sciences lean towards APA, and history along with some sciences often opt for the Chicago style. Employing the appropriate style transcends mere preference, representing a fundamental aspect of scholarly and professional discourse.

Scrible Edu Pro’s New Citation Styles

We’d like to highlight our new citation styles to support the most commonly used citation styles, including MLA 9, APA 7, and Chicago/Turabian, for all your research and writing needs.

  • Expanded Database Citations: Now, you can easily cite various database materials like articles, charts, and infographics with styles tailored for these sources.
  • Web Sources: With the digital age in full swing, citing blogs, tweets, and online interviews accurately is more important than ever. Our new web citation styles cover these needs perfectly.
  • Print and Non-Print Media: From traditional print books to modern non-print media like films and online videos, our expanded styles ensure you’re equipped for any source type.
  • Unique and Rare Sources: We’ve added styles for unique sources like conference proceedings and dissertations, ensuring that even the most unusual references are accurately cited.

*Pro Tip: Always choose the citation style that matches your source type. With Scrible Edu Pro’s expanded library, precision in your research is now easier than ever.

This expansion of our citation library is a testament to our commitment to meeting your diverse research needs and feedback. We’re always listening to our users and building requested features! Please reach out if you have thoughts, questions or suggestions. Your input could lead to Scrible’s next big leap forward in writing and research technology!

Related Articles:

  • Scrible Edu Pro’s Expanded Citation Styles – Inspired by YOU!
  • Import citations from a source in a database
  • How to Use In-Text Citations
  • How to Edit Scrible Citations
  • Capture Citations Automatically

Filed Under: New Features, Product Tagged With: academic writing, APA 7th edition, Chicago style, citation styles, database citations, MLA 9th edition, non-print media, print media, professional discourse, research technology, scholarly communication, Scrible Edu Pro, unique sources, web sources

January 12, 2024 By Karen Kenjosian

Salt Lake Center for Science Education Battles AI Plagiarism and Improves Student Writing with Scrible

In this Scrible Spotlight, we’re excited to feature Kelly Haakenson, a dedicated social studies and college and career prep teacher at Salt Lake Center for Science Education. Through her insightful video interview, Kelly shares her experiences with Scrible, highlighting its role in combating plagiarism, enhancing the research process, and fostering authentic student work.

Tackling Plagiarism with Scrible

Kelly emphasizes the challenge of plagiarism in education, both intentional and unintentional. She also highlights the importance of teaching students about academic integrity. Before Scrible, tools to check plagiarism were cumbersome and not consistently effective. With Scrible, Kelly found a more dynamic approach. The platform allowed her to monitor the students’ project processes, making it easier to spot authentic work and prevent plagiarism.

Scrible’s Role in the Writing Process

Kelly notes how Scrible has been instrumental in housing students’ documents, enabling her to observe their outlining processes and the development of their essays. This visibility ensures the authenticity of their work, reducing the reliance on AI-generated essays. She recounts an incident where a student compared an AI-generated essay to their work on Scrible and chose to submit his original work, recognizing the value of authenticity.

Balancing AI and Academic Integrity

Addressing the balance between AI use and academic integrity, Kelly describes how she empowers students to use AI productively while maintaining honesty in their work. She encourages using AI for feedback. She also emphasizes the importance of students conducting their research and outlining in Scrible, ensuring the originality of their essays.

Simplifying the Research Process

Kelly’s approach to teaching research involves starting with traditional methods like annotated printouts and then transitioning to Scrible for organizing and annotating digital sources. This method combines old and new, leveraging Scrible’s capabilities to simplify and streamline the research process.

The Intuitive Nature of Scrible

With Scrible’s user-friendliness, Kelly highlights its intuitive nature for teachers and students. This ease of use quickly converts skeptical students, who find that Scrible simplifies the research and writing process, making it more engaging and manageable.

Watch Kelly Haakenson’s Interview

To dive deeper into Kelly Haakenson’s innovative use of Scrible at Salt Lake Center for Science Education, watch her interview below. 


Whether you are new to Scrible or a power user, we’d like to invite you to start Scriblin’ and stay connected for more inspiring stories in our Scrible Spotlight series!

Filed Under: Scrible Spotlight Tagged With: academic integrity, academic writing tools, AI in education, digital annotation, Educational Innovation, Educational Technology, essay development, Kelly Haakenson, plagiarism prevention, research process, Salt Lake Center for Science Education, scrible, Scrible Spotlight, student writing, teaching research methods

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