[CASL-L] Noodletools vs Easy Bib

[Nancy Carlson]

*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<http://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/easing-their-citation-pain-putting-the-focus-on-critical-thinking-in-research-with-easybib/>
.



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
<http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2012/10/23/easybibs-new-extensions-twotoo-easy-buttons/>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

* *













-- 
Nancy Carlson
Farmington High School
10 Monteith Drive
Farmington, CT  06032
860-673-2514x1858
carlsonn at fpsct.org or nan71753 at gmail.com
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