I just wanted to update this. While the app looks very nice if you don't already have something, I do have HST+. I just wanted something that was easier to take with me, and more streamlined. What I've decided to do for now is to use a free app called LogMeIn, which allows me to remotely access my PC. That way I can keep tracker, but have it with me without hauling around a laptop. I think it will meet my needs, but I'll try it for a while and then come back and update this. If I do decide to purchase the app after all I'll update as well. I wish I'd have thought about remote access before now! I have to have wifi, since I use an ipod touch, not an iphone, but I think we can limp along like that.... We'll see!
HST+ is HomeSchool Tracker Plus. This is the full, paid version of HomeSchool Tracker which is a free download that helps with scheduling lesson plans, keeping records and such. I've never used it myself, but I've looked at it several times. If I had a laptop, or room at my desk for the desktop, I'd probably use it. But right now my spiral notebook is working for me, so...
I admire you, Lindina. I would love to use a notebook but I'm just too anal. I annoy myself but can't seem to get over it.
Interesting. I'm not super detailed with things like that. But next year I'll have two in school, so I may need to find something to help me be more organized and detailed with record keeping and planning.
I wanted to update this because I did end up giving the app a shot. In a nutshell, my advice is to wait for further development. There is just not much room for customization - everything is pretty simple right now and it could use a lot of work in terms of usability, IMO. I'm pretty disappointed. I ended up finding a screaming deal on a used iPad, so the larger screen makes logmein better, but it's still not my ideal solution. I don't think my ideal solution exists! One thing the app is somewhat useful for is developing your own lesson plans on the go. If you do a lot of that you might like it. I did sit down with a health book and I created some lesson plans that I can email to myself or print for later tweaking and inputting into HST+. If you aren't picky, the app may work for you, but at this time I think a simple excel spreadsheet is more functional than the app. Bummer.
Hey, my spiral notebook is useful BECAUSE I'm so OCD about it! I grid each page off with a row for each subject (plus Language Arts Enhancement - like Daily Grams, Sequential Spelling, extra reading, whatever - and a row for Other, which could include discipline notes, FIELD TRIP, attitude problems, illness/medicine given and time, calls to parents, whatever) and a column for each kid. And it's so much more easily changeable than a preprinted teacher-plan-book with set columns and rows. Mostly my "plans" consist of things like "pp 42-45 Quiz" which means after p 45 the next thing is a quiz. Or Quiz which means the quiz is today. Or (H) which means it didn't get done today and was sent home for homework. DISCUSS means Today Without Fail! A checkmark in the box means "done", an X means "not done", or a red NF means worked on but not finished and can wait til tomorrow. A grade for a quiz or test is in red and circled in the box, next to the word Quiz or Test. If a kid comes in late, I note the time in red next to his name, and if he's absent, I put a big A in a circle and a red squiggle down his column for that day. So I have attendance, plans, and gradebook all right there handy on one sheet! I also reproduce the plans part on a whiteboard, so they can just look up and see what there is to do that day. ETA: Since I'm doing a school and not a family, my enrollment and other stuff can and does easily change from one day to the next. And I don't DARE plan more than "tomorrow" because as sure as I do, somebody is absent or otherwise screws it up! I use LOTS of wite-out!!!
