NoodleTools in the Middle School

    Research assignments have long been a part of our Middle School curriculum.  Regardless of the subject or grade level, a research project asks students to draw information from a variety of sources, integrate that information into a cohesive whole and cite sources through a works cited page.  Traditionally, students have organized their research through note cards that record specific pertinent information from a source.  As various sources are used, note cards proliferate. When the project's conclusion draws near, cards are organized and used to write a research paper.
    This process has withstood the test of time for generations of students, but it is not without its pitfalls. Note cards can be lost or forgotten at home.  Sources are, often enough, based online and citing URLs accurately can be a challenge. Physically arranging note cards to organize the final paper often demands table space that might be in short supply. In short, the traditional process was ripe for a new, improved version. NoodleTools provides just such an improved version.
    NoodleTools is cloud-based software that allows students to take notes, organize them and keep citations accurately matched to source materials.  Because it's cloud-based, it is available on 24/7 basis; cards are never lost or forgotten.  Created virtual note cards can be edited, saved and grouped according to the demands of the assignment. It is a convenient time saver as well. When sources are used and entered, a Works Cited page is constantly updated, ready in an instant when research work is complete.

Lia Carruthers introduces NoodleTools to a seventh grade class.

     This year, as our 7th grade students begin their project on the U.S. Constitutional Convention, Middle School librarian Lia Carruthers has introduced students to NoodleTools to assist in their research work.  The assignment begins by matching students to actual delegates at the 1787 Convention. Students will then need to familiarize themselves with their delegate learning what state was he from, what his were positions on the issues of the day and why he might be undecided on certain issues. The issues of the day included Congressional representation, a Bill of Rights, the place of slavery in the new republic and states rights versus a powerful central government. You can see right away that keeping the researched information organized and clearly documented is important in a complex assignment like this one.
     How can NoodleTools help? Let's see by simulating some student note taking.  In NoodleTools, work would begin by logging in and starting a new project.

 

    Next step is to title your project, deciding which citation style you'll be using for the assignment and then select a citation level. The screenshot below shows the completed set-up form.

 

    The next step is to begin using NoodleTools for the project. Students will be brought to a dashboard screen and from there, five different options are made available. The screenshot below shows the options. Pictured below: the selected option to work with Notecards.

 

     Below, a picture of a note card.  In addition to places to enter source information, there are three editable boxes for information. One box (Copy, paste and annotate here) is designed to have students copy and paste text information from an e-source or simply write in directly taken information from a source. Another box (In your own words) is space for students to take the key ideas in the first box and put them into your own words.  The third box (Original thinking here) gives students a place to write thoughts and ideas that stem from the source material of the card.

 

    As multiple cards are created, NoodleTools is essentially building a database for the specific research project. This information can later be accessed to create a Works Cited page and easily retrieve notes and source information that has been acquired.

    Another valuable feature of NoodleTools is the ability of teachers to share account information with students.  In other words, teachers can easily have access to all of the students' work. Teachers can then comment on the note cards with suggestions or additional information.  These comments are archived in a time-lined history so a teacher can check to see if a comment has been made. Students have the ability to respond to comments.

    NoodleTools is a well thought out, easy to use software tool that helps students and teachers work smarter. It's not only being used for the 7th grade social studies project. It's also being used elsewhere in the Middle School and with our Upper School 9th grade seminar students as well. In the Lower School, NoodleTools is under consideration for possible use with our 4th grade. My feeling is NoodleTools can be helpful to students in a wide variety of research and note taking applications. 

    Teachers and students who need some additional help getting started will find our librarians ready to help.