The Class Nerd

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A podcast and blog discussing how to use Apple devices to get work done in your classroom.

The Class Nerd


    • Jun 9, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 23 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Class Nerd

    The Final Exam

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2020


    Music Ed Tech Talk Robby on Twitter - @robbyburns Craig on Twitter - @craigmcclellan

    Semester 2 Episode 10 - The Wrap Up Grab Bag

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2019


    In the final episode of Semester 2, Robby and Craig revisit lesson planning. Then they get into a discussion of “Sticky Tech,” or apps and services that they keep coming back to. Previous Lesson Planning Episode Agenda - iOS, Mac Bear - iOS, Mac KeepIt - iOS, KeepIt GoodNotes 5 OmniOutliner - iOS, Mac DayOne - iOS, Mac Calendar Episode BusyCal RSS eMac Feedly FeedBin Reeder Fiery Feeds PDF Expert - iOS, Mac Overcast Exit Ticket Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 2 Episode 9 - Mind Mapping

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2019


    In today’s episode, Craig and Robby explorer tools for mind mapping and how it can be useful for teachers in the classroom. Show Outline in MindNode MindNode iThoughts Linea Sketch Paper Concepts OmniOutliner OmniFocus OmniGraffle MarginNote 3 Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    blog micro castro concepts semester pocket casts mind mapping omnifocus mindnode show outline omnigraffle omnioutliner ithoughts blog rss
    Semester 2 Episode 8 - Shortcuts

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2019


    In this week’s episode, Craig and Robby try to explain what Shortcuts are (though Apple’s naming doesn’t make it easy), share several of their favorite shortcuts as inspiration, and then get to some listener questions. Also, Craig’s kids were home during the recording of this episode…and you can definitely tell. Apologies. MacStories Workflow Review GoodNotes 5 Shortcuts App on the App Store Drafts Episode Number Talks Book Number Talks Shortcut Podcast Posting Blog Post Robby’s Seating Chart Shortcuts OmniGraffle OmniOutliner Start Concert Band Craig’s Instagram Shortcut Robby’s Wake Up Shortcut Robby’s Coffee Shortcut Robby’s Go to Work Shortcut Robby’s Good Night Shortcut Craig’s Makeup Work Shortcut Variables Tutorial Canvas Workflow Series Episode 1 MacSparky Video Field Guide Matthew Cassinelli Twitter Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 2 Episode 7 - Calendars and Time Management

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2019


    In this episode, Craig and Robby discuss the differences between task and time management, then get into the apps and workflows they use to manage their busy teacher schedules. The Class Nerd - Semester 2 Episode 3 - Task, Reminder, Project, and Habit Apps, Oh My! Timepage Calendar 366 BusyCal - Mac, iOS Fantastical - iPhone, iPad, Mac Fantastically Good Event Parser Drafts Action Google Calendar Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 2 Episode 6 - Parent Communication

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2019


    In this week’s episode, Craig and Robby dive deep into ways to make parent communication easier using technology. Robby gives helpful tips, and Craig goes off the JavaScript deep end. Canvas Synergy Drafts 5 Drafts Episode Ulysses Byword Squarespace Remind Band Drafts Action To Automate or Not Episode Textexpander TextCase PopClip Email Episode of TCN Scriptable Scriptable Script for Saving Contacts to Contact Group on iOS Spark Cardhop FileMaker Episode Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 2 Episode 5 - Research and Reading Apps

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2019


    Teachers (and hopefully people in other professions) should always be lifelong learners. In this week’s episode, Craig and Robby share their workflows, primarily on iPad, to help make continuing education and learning easier. PDF/Research Apps LiquidText MarginNote 3 MindNode OmniOutliner Book Reading Apps Kindle Apple Books Club MacStories Everything Buckets (Again) Evernote Keep-it Scrivener Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 2 Episode 4 - Handwritten Note Apps

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2019


    In this week’s episode, Craig makes Robby’s editing job difficult, and we discuss apps for taking handwritten notes on iPad. The Class Nerd - Semester 1, Episode 4 - Drafts The Class Nerd - Semester 1, Episode 3 - Notes Notability GoodNotes 5 Penultimate Linea Sketch Paper DayOne Noteshelf OneNote Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 2 Episode 3 - Task, Reminder, Project, and Habit Apps, Oh My!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2019


    In this week’s episode, Craig and Robby get into a listen requested topic discussing the differences between different types of apps in the productivity category and how we use them. OmniFocus (iOS), (Mac) Things 3 (iPhone) (iPad) Craig’s Things Blog Post “Getting Things Done” by David Allen GoodTask Due Streaks Productive Habitica (Robby referred to this in episode as Habit RPG) Shortcut for Note Tasks Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 2 Episode 2 - To Automate or Note to Automate

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2019


    Craig and Robby wax philosophical about automation, and then turn to everything bucket apps. Semester 1 Episode 3 - Notes Bear Drafts 5 Semester 1 Episode 4 - Drafts OmniFocus Robby's Book Devonthink Keep It Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 2 Episode 1 - Apple Watch in the Classroom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2019


    In the first episode of a new semester, Robby and Craig discuss their new iPad Pros and then how they use their Apple Watches in the classroom. Robby Blog Post about iPads Semester 1 Health Episode Apple Watch Complication Semester 1 Drafts Episode Craig’s Watch Face Modular Date Things Calendar Activity Robby’s Watch Face Infograph Face Alarm OmniFocus Date Calendar Timer Activity Drafts 5 Carrot Weather Waterminder Apps 1Password Due Things OmniFocus Mail Slack Timelogger Spire Breathe Tempo Tonal Energy Tacit (pulse tempo) Keynote Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Extra Credit Episode 1 - Apple's Big September

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2018


    In this bonus episode, Craig and Robby talk a bit (ok, a lot) about the products Apple is releasing in September, and then move on to their favorite features and apps of watchOS 5 and iOS 12. MacStories watchOS 5 Semester 1 Exit Ticket Apps Keep It Carrot Weather Waterminder OmniFocus 3 Things 3 Bear OmniOutliner Ulysses Drafts 5 Overcast Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 1, Episode 10 - Student Data

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2018


    STOP! Before you read on, please make sure to take our Semester 1 EXIT TICKET so that we can better improve our show for Semester 2. Show Notes: This week The Class Nerd talks about apps they use to gather, process, manage, and reflect on student data. Bear Drafts Workflow Drafts/Workflow Action to Append a Bear Note Drafts Action, Workflow Action OmniGraffle Notability Dropbox Canvas forScore Airtable Craig’s Airtable Notes Script Agenda FileMaker Pro TAKE OUR SEMESTER 1 EXIT TICKET! Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Twitter, Micro.blog Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 1, Episode 9 - Making Stuff

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2018


    Show Notes: This week The Class Nerd talks about the apps they use to make letters, posters, worksheets, documents, and other classroom related documents. Robby says the word “artifact” in this one. Pages Microsoft Word Keynote OmniGraffle Craig’s Classroom in OmniGraffle Adobe Apps Affinity Designer Affinity Photo Pixelmator - iOS, Mac Sketchnoting Linea Sketch Paper Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Twitter, Micro.blog Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 1, Episode 8: Going Paperless

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2018


    This week, The Class Nerd breaks down their paperless process. In this one, we cover scanning apps, file organization, PDF annotation apps, and handwritten note apps. Show Notes: Scannable Scanner Pro Scanbot PDF Expert PDF Viewer Notability Goodnotes Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Twitter, Micro.blog Robby - Twitter, Blog

    blog micro castro semester pocket casts notability goodnotes going paperless scannable pdf expert scanner pro scanbot blog rss
    Semester 1, Episode 7 - Lesson Planning

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2018


    The Class Nerd breaks down five of their favorite apps for lesson planning. OmniOutliner - Mac, iOS forScore Keynote - Mac - iOS Bear The Class Nerd Podcast Episode 3 - Note Taking Drafts Episode with Markdown Discussion Agenda - Mac, iOS MailTags FileMaker Excel Numbers - Mac, iOS

    Semester 1, Episode 6 - Mental and Physical Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2018


    This week The Class Nerd takes a moment to reflect on the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health in the teaching profession. This episode isn’t as focused on productivity, but it is still 100 percent nerdy! Every app we discuss is perfect for fostering self care, but also tracking data in charts, chaining apps together, and monitoring your every movement. Built in Apps Apple Health Website Diet and Exercise Workouts++ MyFitnessPal WaterMinder Caffiend Workflow (Ron Swanson Gifs Workflow) Robby’s Caffiene Workflow Robby’s Water Workflow Sleep Tracking Sleep Cycle AutoSleep Sleep Watch Sleep++ Beddit Mindfulness Breathe Headspace Calm Lasting Spire Spire App Bonus Apps (Not discussed in episode) Hidrate Spark Smart Watter Bottle Pinnacle Climbing App Pocket Yoga Streaks Habit-forming to-do list Gymatic Workout Tracker Auto Rep Counting Gym Log Fit Weightlift Golfshot 7 Minute Workout Pedometer++ Runkeeper Cardiogram Heart Rate Monitor for Apple Watch Strava Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Blog, Twitter

    Semester 1, Episode 5 - Team Collaboration and Communication

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2018


    Though we spent the first two episodes of this semester discussing tools to manage email, there is a better way! In this week’s episode, Robby and Craig discuss tools that can take you beyond email to better collaborate and communicate with your teams at school. Apple Pay Square Cash Venmo Slack Songshare Workflow Slack Pricing Todoist Todoist Education Pricing Semester 1 Episode 4: Drafts Trello Kanban Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 1, Episode 4 - Drafts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2018


    In our nerdiest episode yet, we do a deep dive into our most used iOS app, Drafts 5. We share how we use this app in the classroom, and how it can save you time and mental energy. Drafts 5 API Evernote X-callback-url OmniFocus Markdown David Sparks Markdown Field Guide Episode 3: Notes Bear Robby’s Repertoire Idea Action Note/Omnifocus/Mail Action Bear Task Reference Action Airtable Airtable Drafts Action - Scroll Down to the readme area for instructions on where to download the Airtable template and how to install this action. Code Academy Swift Playgrounds Drafts Episode of Robby Burns and Friends Automation Episode of Robbie Burns and Friends MacStories Review of Drafts 5 Subscribe Apple Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS Follow The Class Nerd - Blog RSS, Micro.blog, Twitter Craig - Micro.blog, Twitter Robby - Twitter, Blog

    Semester 1, Episode 3 - Notes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2018


    In this week’s episode, Robby and Craig share (and debate) about their favorite note taking apps. Evernote - macOS, iOS API Drafts 5 OCR TaskClone Skitch Penultimate Scannable Bear - macOS, iOS Workflow Siri Shortcuts Scanbot GoodNotes Linea Sketch

    Semester 1, Episode 2 - 3rd Party Email Apps

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2018


    In this episode, Craig and Robby finish their discussion of email by sharing some 3rd Party apps you can use to help you manage your mail. Craig - Blog, Twitter Robby - Blog, Twitter Semester 1, Episode 1: Email with Apple Mail Airmail for iOS Airmail 3 for Mac Spark for iOS Spark for Mac PDF Expert Outlook

    Semester 1, Episode 1 - Email With Apple Mail

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2018


    In the first official episode of The Class Nerd Podcast, Craig and Robby discuss Apple’s default mail app on iOS and macOS, and how they use it to manage their email. Craig - Blog, Twitter Robby - Blog, Twitter The Class Nerd Returning to Apple Mail on iOS — The Class Nerd Mail Act-On Mail Tags Thoughts on SaneBox — The Class Nerd

    Episode 0 - Tech Origin Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2018


    Craig - Blog, Twitter Robby - Blog, Twitter The Class Nerd Automation Episode of RB&F

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