Picture this: You’re taking an online course, which directs you to YouTube, PDF readings, and external websites. There you read or hear something that peaks your interest, prompting you to enter a query into Google. Before you know it, you have 20 different windows open. Whew! At some point, you had made a mental note to remember a quote from the second window, the reading from the ninth window, and the website in the fifteenth window. But, you didn’t keep track of which window is which, and now you’ve got to go back and sort through each window to then bookmark the page in your browser.

If you’d rather not spend an extra 30 minutes (or more) retracing your steps to only have a bookmarked page, then I’ve got the perfect solution for you: Evernote.

So, what is Evernote? 

Evernote is the online version of a notebook that you might tote along to a class at a traditional brick-and-mortar institution, except it’s better!  Referred to, by it’s developers, as the “personal digital assistant”, Evernote allows you to take notes (typed or audio!), clip web articles, bookmark webpages, and file photos. Each entry (called a note) can be tagged and is stored in a notebook. The entire system is tied to a search function to allow the user to quickly locate information. Another perk? Evernote works with just about any computer, tablet, and smartphone so your notes will always be available on any device you use. Oh, and I forgot to mention: Evernote is entirely free!

How can I use Evernote with Saylor.org courses? 

I think you’ll find Evernote extremely helpful as you work through each Saylor.org course. Whether it’s remembering an interesting sentence or bookmarking your favorite lecture, this tool will keep you organized. Plus, if you’re taking the course and want to share something noteworthy with your peers, Evernote allows you to easily share a note via email, Facebook, and Twitter.

How do I get started with Evernote?

It is relatively easy to begin using Evernote: just head over to Evernote.com, click “Create Account”, choose a username and password, and begin! If you want to access Evernote on your computer when not connected to the Internet, you’ll need to install the Evernote desktop client, which you can get here. (Note, you’ll need an Apple ID to download this version.) If you have a smartphone, you can search on your smartphone’s marketplace for the Evernote App.

What else?

Evernote developers have also released a number of other products to  complement the basic Evernote Tool. My favorites? Evernote Clearly, a tool that allows you to read online articles and webpages with all ads and miscellaneous items removed, and Evernote Peek, which is a neat study tool for iPad 2 users that creates flashcards for users to test their knowledge. Be sure to check out all the additional products by Evernote here.

Happy organized studying!

Have you come across a resource or tool that you’d like to share with us or think we should blog about? Let us know by leaving a comment or sending an email to [email protected].

Photo Credit, IvanWalsh.com