| Version | 4.1 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Hellmansoft |
| Release date | Mar 2, 2013 |
| Date added | Mar 2, 2013 |
| Os requirements | Macintosh, Mac OS X 10.6, Mac OS X 10.7, Mac OS X 10.8 |
| Requirements | None |
| Total downloads | 654 |
| Price | Free to try |
Description
Designed for teachers, this software is a replacement for the traditional pen and paper planbook. Support for up to 20 classes (12 on any given day) and a user-definable school year. In addition to duplicating the functions of a traditional planbook, this software allows the user to:
Attach files to lessons- never search a file cabinet for a handout again. Simply double click and access the files you used with a particular lesson Export to HTML or directly to an FTP server or .Mac- allow students to access the parts of your planbook you'd like them to see from home. Parents can check up on what happened in class and other teachers (special education, for example) can see what you are doing in class. Search- never look through a paper calendar trying to figure out when you taught projectile motion. Find as you type search locates the lesson you wantEasily view single classes or your entire teaching schedule in one easy location
Review
Teachers require planning and organization to keep track of lessons and homework. Planbook for Mac's specialized features may appeal to a limited number of users, but the program offers few functions not available in other, freely available calendar and to-do programs.
Planbook for Mac is available as a free trial version, which limits the user to only 20 lessons for every course entered; the full version requires a payment of $34.99. At only 3.5MB, the program quickly downloads and installs, albeit without its own setup program. At startup, it prompts the user to either enter a license for the full version, or start in trial mode. No instructions appeared available and it was not obvious if users could rely on any technical support. The initial screen, while fairly cluttered, is intuitive and allows users to enter the courses they are currently teaching, along with the days they take place. After this screen, the user is taken to a new screen where lesson plans, homework, materials, and daily schedules may be entered. It does not appear easy to navigate between the initial and more detailed screens. Users can also link to the Web or attach documents, such as lecture outlines, to each class. All of the functions worked well, but most could be accomplished through other Web-based calendaring applications.
While functional, Planbook for Mac will only appeal to those teachers who require formal, computer-based lesson planning and cannot find enough utility from freely available calendar applications.
Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of Planbook for Mac 4.1.
