Thursday, July 17, 2014

Tech Thursday: Notability (App)




Technology Thursday is a weekly linky dedicated to all things technology related. Share reviews of websites or apps you've tried, tech tips that make your {teaching or personal} life easier, and helpful tutorials. Our hope is that this linky provides a place for teachers to share and learn new ways to use technology and engage students!

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This week I wanted to share with you a really cool app I used during the TPT conference. This one's not free (sorry), but I do think it's well worth the $5 I spent on it, and  I can see some great ways to use it in the classroom.

Notability - for iPad & iPhone, $4.99

Notability is a note-taking app with some really cool features. You can start from a blank page if you wish, but you can also import PDF files and take notes directly on them!
Since I was using this at the conference, I saved all of my session handouts to my Dropbox, and imported them easily into Notability. Just click the import arrow in the top right of the screen, and select your file! It couldn't be easier! You can even import only certain pages of a large file if you prefer.

Once your file imports, you can click to open it, and take notes right on your iPad! At the top, you'll see the different functions, where you can select your ink color, pen type, and size.

Need a blank page? (Because these sessions were all so amazing, I needed lots of extra pages or notes!) Just click the pages icon in the top right corner, and click the plus sign on the corner of a page. Easy-peasy!

Make a mistake? There's a handy eraser right at the top...just drag it across the word you want to erase!

Need to move something you wrote? Select the scissors icon, circle what you want to move, and drag it wherever it belongs!

Want to snap a photo of the presentation and add it to your notes? No problem! Just click the plus sign and choose your picture!
Want to type instead of writing? They've got that covered too! Click the T at the top, and you get a keyboard with all the usual text formatting options.
You can also use a highlighter, post-it notes, and bookmarks. If the screen is too small, like my iPad mini, you can zoom in the same way you would on a picture.

This app was PERFECT for taking notes at the conference. One way I thought I might use it in my class is during centers for students to do extra practice without creating more paper! How can you use this app in your class?

Link up your technology posts below! We can't wait to see how everyone else is using technology!






   

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6 comments:

  1. This looks so user-friendly! Thanks for informing me about this app- I had never heard of it before!

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  2. No Apple Products here, but it looks like it could be an awesome app. Thanks for sharing.
    Sarah
    Kovescence of the Mind

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  3. I've not really used this much, but it inspires me to do so! I think it would be great even for worksheets:) Take a picture and import as a PDF, then students can just write on the iPad (so much better than a regular worksheet)!
    Stephanie
    Technology Timeout

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  4. Nice review Kristen! It makes me wonder how this compares to Evernote - something I might research on my own if you are not certain - but also how the app might behave in a situation where students are sharing iPads. Any thoughts out there?

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  5. I don't have Notability, but you better believe on my way to add it right now!! Thanks for sharing and adding pictures!
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

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  6. I got Notability back in the spring when it was free, but I haven't had the chance to use it yet! I got it out and started playing along as I was reading this!! Can't wait to use it this fall!! I like the idea of using it during centers. I always hate making tons of copies for that!

    Rachel
    A Tall Drink of Water

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