Sorry this has taken me so long to post. Below is my original question, along with the responses I received.
Original question:
We have been using Noodletools for the past 4 years and like the new additions to it.
We are looking at Easy Bib for next year. I am looking for opinions/experience from people who have used Noodletools but switched to Easy Bib or vice versa.
Our decision-We plan to stay with Noodletools this year because of the sharing feature that Noodletools has, but Easy Bib does not. We will continue to look at Easy Bib and possible do a pilot next year.
Responses
Similar to other
teachers, I prefer several of Noodletools' features, especially as they lend
themselves to the whole research process, not just citing and note-taking. My
favorite features are student collaboration, teacher feedback, and dashboard
components.
In a survey I did
last year, many students responded they preferred Easybib. I was fortunate to
be able to offer both Noodletools and Easybib for the first time this year. In
lessons in which library instruction is embedded, I require students to use
Noodletools and share with me. Otherwise, they can use whichever one they
prefer.
If I had to choose just one, I would reassess
and compare Easybib's collaboration and feedback features to Noodletools.
I was able to run a trial of the Easybib premium
account as well as participate in a webinar- if you haven't arranged a trial
yet, you should. This will allow you see what the difference will be to
teachers and students.
Nella Szilagyi
Wethersfield High School
We just purchased easybib. But I did look at Noodletools - it just seemed easybib had a lot more famiarlity amongst our students. Just what I didn't need, was one more 'tool' which students haven't heard of! Easybib was able to tell m, even though we hadn't subscribed yet, how many of my students used their free service last year! - 600 - that's well over half of my school!
Sue Lantelme
School Librarian Ledyard High School
We used Noodle Bib for years, and switched over to Easy Bib last year. It's so much easier to use. I also appreciate the research features.
I am using Noodletools, and I love it--especially the student collaboration feature, which Easy Bib currently doesn't have (but I think they are working on).Out of curiosity, I did ask for a price with the CLC discount, and Easy Bib came out twice as much.There are some reviews out there, but tend to compare the Easy Bib upgrades with the older version of NoodleTools.
My daughter's school uses Easy Bib, and I am not a fan on the user end, either. Auto-citation feature seems nice, but defaults to np and nd.
Damon Abilock is pretty amazing at responding to any questions. We got a discount with subscription by all secondary schools.
Mrs. Sara Kaluzynski
Stratford High School
I second this request. I've been following a similar discussion over at this blog.
I've been using Noodletools for the past 7 or so years and have been hesitant to make the switch to EasyBib. I don't like some of its features - autociting and the evaluation extension you could add in chrome. It seems students that we are working with cannot identify mistakes/omissions in these automated processes. If they don't know that something is missing, how can they fix it? Sure, I've heard plenty of people say noodletools is harder for students to use, but I think it is worth it. It forces them to look at all of the components of a source--which I also ask them to do when evaluating sources. I see it as a kill two birds with one stone: evaluate + make a citation.
We do use the notecards extensively. This year, with some teachers, we are requiring every notecard to have a paraphrase. Then the students are using the notecards to create their outlines. We have them output the outlines with just the paraphrases. With that, they essentially have their paper started. It is a series of their words/ideas, organized by idea/topic. With the addition of a intro / conclusion, some formatting adjustments, transitions and editing for flow, they basically have a paper.
Janet Kenney, Library Media Specialist, Webmaster,
& Instructional Technology Coordinator
Bristol Eastern High School
I love the student (and teacher) collaboration function on Noodletools as well as the notecard feature. I think the notecards could cut down on plagiarizing by encouraging kids to use the spaces for paraphrasing and direct quote.
I agree that it can be cumbersome to use (especially for younger students), but that's because they don't have the perspective of creating one by hand! (How many of you have them create them manually before using a citation creator? I've often wanted to just so they appreciate it!)
Sue Crean
Mrs. Sue Crean
21st Century Skills Teacher
Whisconier Middle School
We just had some major issues with Noodletools last week, did anyone else experience this?
People couldn't log in, some of their work was lost, Noodle blamed Google, then said it was their server.
Christine Bairos
Library Media Specialist
Old Saybrook High School
My school is making the switch to EasyBib School Edition (not the less powerful free version) from NoodleTools. I am at a K - 9 school and NoodleTools just was not working for our population (faculty and students). Having used both, so far I'm finding that EasyBib is working better at my school. We only started our subscription in December and I'm working on training faculty during this spring semester. In my opinion, NoodleTools is an excellent tool, but has a steeper learning curve.
EasyBib School Edition does allow students to share their projects with faculty and/or classmates. (I give my teachers a hint and have them tell students to name their projects in a way that the teachers can easily identify which class a student is in; for example, English_period 5). I find that it does an excellent job helping students evaluate sources. I also love the LearnCite feature. The outline and note card feature looks and works similarly to NoodleTools feature.
When making these decisions, I always try to look at what's best for my population, and I'm sure that's what all of you do as well!
Hope this is helpful. Have a good day.
Valerie DiLorenzo,
Rumsey Hall School , Washington Depot, Connecticut
We use NT in Weth at the middle school and love it. I send kids comments electronically and can view changes made (or not made). We do have them do a batch of old fashioned index notecards first which makes the transition easier to the electronic if they choose. The kids and I love the newer features for ISBN import and copying and pasting preformatted citations. Also we start with the easier junior level in seventh and move them to the advanced level in 8th grade.
I have been comparing the two and quickly created a spreadsheet. I've attached my findings, although many of you may be able to add based upon your own experience.
Michele Lane
Library Media Specialist
William J. Johnston Middle School
I would love to see the responses people give to you. I actually had a trial of Easy Bib earlier this year because we were considering switching also. We ultimately decided not to because Easy Bib is not yet as robust as NoodleBib. The game changer for us is the fact that Easy Bib does not allow you to create a virtual classroom for a class so you can easily check on student work. We do this all the time. Easy Bib requires each student to share with you individually which is a real hassle for the librarian to get back to. Other reasons also, but that was the game changer. Please let me know your final decision and why. Thanks!
Mary Metheny
Glastonbury High School