Are any of you using an ipad with stylus to take notes?

HappyWife77, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2013

Interesting question! Cant wait to see the answers.... :-)

RusticSandy · Nov 27, 2013

I have been using the iPad Air for about three weeks now. (I can't wait to try it for next semester in its entirety. We got it just before the end of this semester.) I particularly like it for taking notes on PowerPoint slides, which seems to be the main setup for all of my classes.

Previously I liked to take my own notes because the organization and the writing helps me focus and remember, however we frequently go too fast for that, so I decided to try this (been toying with the idea for ages). Let me tell you: I love it. There are some things I miss about paper and pencil, and mostly it is speed. I write slightly better/faster on paper, but not much. I love the way my notes look with my handwriting on them and they are very easy to organize. I can take all my notes with me from every class anywhere I want.

The main app I use is GoodNotes, it cost $5.99 I think, but it is the best notebook I've ever owned. I love it! It has an awesome zoom feature that allows me to write big on half the screen, but for my words to show up neat and small on the part of the PowerPoint I want. It moves forward as you write, you just go back to the beginning like a typewriter and pick up where you left off. Very user intuitive. I can zoom in on any PowerPoint and make it huge if I have to add a detail in a specific spot. I can cut and move my own writing if I put something in the wrong space, and I love being able to hit "undo" instead of trying to erase things. Highlighting is a breeze. I can change my pen color to 50 different colors with one swipe. I even have a whole book stored in there I can highlight or just read. Very light compared to my actual texts. You can write on slides, PDFs, or it has a few templates for blank note pages. I sound like an ad for this app, but I really love it that much. I have all of my slides organized by class, then I can organize them by test inside each folder.

Cons: This style of note taking is probably not for everyone. It is different and does take an adjustment period. I've had an iPhone for years so it was a pretty easy transition for me, but my friend who's never used an iPhone seems to find it clunky and isn't really able to use the app comfortably. You DO have to hold your wrist slightly in the air or there are a few alternatives (long sleeves, there is a bar to pull up on the app that makes a portion of the lower screen not read your wrist, but I don't like it because it takes up my note taking space).

As far as stylus goes, I just have a cheap one, but it works well. The app makes it so I don't need a super fine point. It's accurate. I'm sure you could get a better one.

I'm not sure if I covered all of your questions - haha - or if you have any more, let me know.

Divatologist, ADN · Nov 27, 2013

I use the notability app. I actually type my notes out. I bought a keyboard for my ipad. Notability does have the writing option with the palm guard. I bought a Bamboo stylus to use with it. The notability app also has a recorder if you like to record lectures. You can only write while you record though. You can't record and type. You can tap the note anywhere and it will take you to the spot in the lecture when you were writing that particular note. I use my stylus in lab mostly when we have to draw things. I am not the best or fastest when it comes to typing, but I'm able to keep up with the note taking. I would also recommend that you get a document scanning app as well. I scan all my handouts and I also scanned my study guide. You can then load the scanned documents into your note taking app of choice. You can take notes right on those documents. I would also recommend that you get a document storage app as well. I have dropbox and google drive. I can save my notes to those apps and that way I can pull them up on my phone or PC in the event I forget my ipad. It's always good to have a back up. The notability app is not available for viewing online as far as I know.

203bravo, MSN, APRN · Nov 27, 2013

I have a windows 8 tablet that I use.. like it a bit better since the stylus looks and writes like a real pen.. not the mushy tip that the IPads have.. but either way I have found it most helpful.. especially being able to take notes directly on power point slides instead of printing out 100s of slides.

Also easier taking it to group project meetings to do the assignments..

All in all I think you would love any device you get.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2013

Good day:

Thank you all for you though out responses.

Anyone else using an ipad or tablet for notes vs. pen and paper?

Thank you.

Teeanne · Nov 28, 2013

I'm using an full size ipad with a bluetooth keyboard and the Notability app (recommended to me by a friend that was already in a different nursing program). My profs generally put up lecture notes online so I export them from there into Notability then add notes to them. I type most things I add, but the app I use for notes does let me switch to drawing and I can add lines, stars, etc with my fingertip to help, plus you can also use a highlight pen to trace over important words.

Personally I've never had a problem recording while typing when I've tried.

I wouldn't mind having a stylus though so I could just write a quick word next to something. Notability does let you open up a "text box," type what you are going to say, then move that box around so you can put it next to your existing notes - it's just a little more involved than just writing something quickly.

I don't often use pen and paper anymore. But I would say there are far more people in class with paper and pen than with laptops and tablets - even some of my friends that bring gadgets don't like to use them for notes, so really just depends on personal preference!

jofapcastillo · Nov 28, 2013

Good day:
Are any of you using an ipad with stylus to take notes? If yes, which ipad (full, mini), and which stylus? What app(s) do you use for note taking, note management, etc?
How is using an ipad working out for you compared to using regular pen and pencil?
Are there times you miss using pen/pencil and paper? What are those circumstances?
Do you find yourself using pen/pencil and paper for some things still? If yes, what?
Thank you for your time.

I have microsoft surface and its sooo good! Its kinda like a computer in a tablet. The stylus is way better than the ipad ones cuz its more pointy. I have an ipad also but when it comes to note taking, I hated it!

cjcaet · Nov 29, 2013

Following.

I was coming here to ask the same thing!

Shinnichi, ADN, RN · Nov 30, 2013

(Just wanted to say that I'm glad you asked this and got replies! I was asking roughly the same thing!)

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2013

Here are some of the responses I got from other networks that may be helpful for those of us interested in this area:

"I used the iPad 2 and Zagg keyboard/case combo through the last year of nursing school. Google docs + Evernote + StudyBlue (for flashcards). It was critical. I messed around with the stylus, but never got comfortable. I did get much faster typing. I did not find myself taking any pen & paper notes other than writing all over my text books. I use highlighters, and sticky tabs."

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"Over lectures it's hard to even write with pen, let alone press on individual keys with a stylus. I've tried SlideIt but even that is counter-productive/hard to use since the qwerty keyboard is made ergonomically for 10 of your fingers to type.

I find either using pen and paper to write down notes or typing either on your laptop or ipad (full) using Word (recommended to use Word even on a Mac since most teachers own Windows and find it hard to open files from Mac word processors) is more efficient in lectures. Printing out the lecture PowerPoint slides and writing notes next to each slide as the prof goes through them is also considerably efficient as well."

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"I have been paperless as a student for almost a year now. I use the ipad (full, 4th generation, 16GB) and a Wacom Bamboo (rubber tip) stylus. I use the Goodnotes app for note taking. I absolutely LOVE IT!

I haven't missed pen and paper at all. Microbiology Lab class required the use of pen and paper but there is an app (scan pro) which allows you to scan any paperwork using your ipad camera in pdf format. Goodnotes allows you to integrate those documents and write on them as well.

It is rare that I ever use paper anymore and if I get a worksheet or something in class I scan it right there. I like having notes from all classes with me at all times, even classes from previous semesters. I also buy all books online and love it! It allows further integration of charts and tables from the book into your notes. Contact me anytime if you want to know more."

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Thank you.

Heliantus · Nov 30, 2013

I use ipad mini with quickoffice app. This app has Microsoft word, power point and file management. I bought a Bluetooth keyboard to use with it. It works very well for me.