Learning Technology Learning: January 2013

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Annotate documents on the iPad

This post is the second of a series written about different types of iPad apps that can be used in educational settings. It summarising elements of the workshop Using iPads in Educational Settings which is running throughout 2013 at the Institute of Education, London, UK. You are welcome to explore the web resource - http://ipadsioe.weebly.com/.

Set 1: Annotation/note-taking

Annotate documents on the iPad
The ability to annotate onto on existing document is an important enough process to demand apps specifically for this. There are many to choose from. By annotation I mean the ability to draw, highlighting, add text or even add audio onto an an existing document. All of the apps listed in the relevant mindmap section below do drawing and highlighting. Most do text additions although some of the free ones don't do this very well. Only iAnnotate and PDF Connoisseur (of the apps I've found) deal with audio.  Regarding document type, most of them deal exclusively with PDF. However, some cater for word/powerpoint (iAnnotate and AnnotDoc). I've included DiigoBrowser in this list which is about web-based annotation.

It's difficult to give a firm recommendation as I haven't played with all of the pay apps. However, my preference in the free category is Adobe Reader as this has good usability for text/draw/highlight annotation and a clear interface. For the paid ones I favour iAnnotate as this caters for multiple formats and allows audio comments as well as the usual stuff. The drawback is its relative complexity when compared to the other apps. It's still pretty easy to pick up but if you are looking for your colleagues to use it this would be a barrier. Perhaps, better to start with Adobe Reader and work up to iAnnotate. I would imagine PDFPen is pretty good at the reviews are good and the price is high.

Within education there are a couple of common processes which could be enhanced by annotating on an iPad instead of pen/paper or indeed a computer/laptop.

Individual document markup
Firstly, there is individual use. Annotating documents for your own work and the sharing with yourself and others. I already do this on occasion when I'm on a train or in meetings. The integration with cloud computing is easy with all these apps and its easy to sync with dropbox (and other cloud storage service). You simply "Open In" and select the relevant app. I've only worked with PDFs thus far. I can see this being useful for any student as papers and documents get emailed or shared for homework/coursework and you want to mark up on first/second reading. There a limitations as continuing to work on something after annotation is difficult and not possible on most apps. However, as I know this I don't even attempt and just annotate for future reference.

The enhancement value is in the paper saving. You get a PDF over email and you no longer have to print it. Simply "Open In" an annotation app on your iPad and start reading/marking up. I've only done this for myself as I connect this process with rough and ready annotations that will only make sense to me. Currently, not many schools have an iPad for each pupil and this can only work when this is the case. However, if teachers have ownership of an iPad then they could do this for themselves. As suggested above start them off with one of the free ones with good usability like Adobe Reader. This way, it can become a gateway process into using iPads for education like writing notes. By gateway process I mean opening someone mind up to the potential of this new device for professional and educational use.

Annotating students' work
There is potential here to make a real difference on a large-scale across formal education. At the moment I know of only one example where a teacher is using an annotation app (happens to be iAnnotate) for this process. I'm sure there is more but I'm also sure that it's being done by isolated individuals keen on educational technology. To scale-up beyond will take a big effort but one that's worth doing. The method with which any teacher marks is a very personal one. Everyone has their own system and time/place. Doing this on an electronic device will feel quite alien, quite strange. Indeed any suggested change can feel quite threatening. Do it for yourself first and then model the behaviour with your colleagues.  The usability needs to be spot on for this process to scale across education. One of the main arguments against marking essay on computers/laptops is the eye-strain. I think with tablets this issue is greatly reduced. eBook readers like the kindle have e-ink technology which negates any eye strain. It's not quite so good with tablets, but ther are not far behind now. The process of making an annotation especially a text comment is slightly (very slightly) slower than marking with a pen. However, the time-saving is at the other end of the process when it comes to sharing as there is no copying process to turn the physical into the electronic. Emails can be used but sharing via cloud computing is preferable.

Introducing others to this process can be done by getting a group together and doing a demonstration/practice on a example document using in a chosen app. Walk through the process from beginning to end and let them explore it for themselves. You might get a few converts. Just think of the paper-saving and time saving potential.

The more I write about annotation apps the more I know I should be doing more of this. Anyway, check out some of the apps listed below. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments.

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The structure of the iPad blog posts is listed below with links where possible:

Set 1: Annotation/note-taking

Write-record notes
Annotation
Drawing
File Management

Set 2: Creativity

Digital Storytelling - Cartoon/Comic creation
Digital Storytelling - Flipbook animation
Digital Storytelling - Story from research
Drawing
iBook creation and reading
Image Creation
Poster/Collage Creation

Set 3: Mobile Learning

Location-based

Set 4: Creativity - Multimedia

Audio - Record/edit/share
Digital Storytelling - Narrated slideshow
Digital Storytelling - Narrated Cartoon
Screencasting
Narrate over drawing/image/text
Video - Stop-motion
Video - Analysis
Video - Create/edit

Set 5: Classroom Management

Fun classroom management
Computer Connection
Projecting an iPad
Teacher Organisation
File Management
MS Office/Windows Connection

Set 6: Reflective or critical thinking development

Audio - Record/edit/share
Blogging
Mindmapping
Noticeboards
Narrate over drawing/image/text
Quick brainstorming
Revision - Flashcards
Screencasting
Social Networking

Set 7: Research/Aggregation

Bookmarking
Research - Browsing
RSS - Aggregation
Research - Tailored Browsing

Set 8: Teacher presentation/Resource creation

Audio - Record/edit/share
iBook creation and reading
Mindmapping
Narrate over drawing/image/text
Poster Creation
Presentation
Printing
Screencasting
Video - Create/edit
Revision - Flashcards
Video - Analysis

Set 9: Real-time class collaboration

Class collaboration - viewing lesson on each device
Computer connection
Q&A - Real-time
Webinars

Tuesday 8 January 2013

Write/record notes on iPads

This post is the first of a series written about different types of iPad apps that can be used in educational settings. It summarising elements of the workshop Using iPads in Educational Settings which is running throughout 2013 at the Institute of Education, London, UK. You are welcome to explore the web resource - http://ipadsioe.weebly.com/.

Set 1: Annotation/note-taking
This set is about types of activity they are realised traditionally by some form of pen/pencil and asome physical surface to write on. The iPad affords or lends itself to the replacement of these practices - and, crucially, does it well. What I've learnt over the last few months about iPads is that lots of things that can be achieved clunkily or messily with other devices can be achieved with ease and comfort. As a result, people will do these things.  For the types of apps in the below mindmap this is most definitely true.

Represented below is an embedded mindmap which groups types of activity and then identifies individual iPad apps which fit within this category.  Find the best fit for your context by exploring them. With the many 1000s of apps out there the list can only be introductory. However, all those listed have been tested and some recommended by colleagues.

Write/record notes
This is a crucial area because this process is often the gateway application of iPads into this type of devices and its use in any context. As this process applies to any meeting, any lecture and any class this is a core function. The key strength is its multi-purpose use as any self-respecting note-taking app will perform a number of functions which previously would require a number of devices or objects.

Firstly, the usability of typing on an iPad is surprisingly good. I have played with an external keyboard but I prefer the onscreen keyboard display (just remember to turn the sound off to avoid annoying others). It's really no different than a laptop in this regard and the eye strain is less. Most apps allow for finger/stylus drawing and the easy creation of simply shapes. If you stopped there it would still be worthwhile using an iPads for these functions as the integration to cloud computing services (described below) save time.

However the additional functions are the real selling point. With an iPad I can take photos. My app of choice is notability. With this app I can take a photo of a detailed, wordy slide to save me frantically typing it. In addition, I can record the audio. I no longer need a dictatphone for this. Of course, everyone in the room need to agree for this but to have this available easily is great. From the iPad 3 onwards there is a record button on the keyboard. If you have an iPad 2 you'll find record options within most of the note-taking apps. Then there is this thing called the internet. Embedding screenshot, adding hyperlinks and simply accessing the internet during a meeting is of real value.

In the below video a UK university student reflect on her use of notability for note-taking:

How I use my iPad - Emma Vaccari from Manchester Medical School on Vimeo.

Of the apps listed in the relevant mindmap section above my favourite is notability. I often export in pdf format by the old school email route but increasing I am taking notes and then simply storing then in the app for future reference. This shows that the iPads is becoming embedded into my practice. I also use Pages because this is the only one I've found that allowing for exporting into word for continued editing. However, the price of this annoys me so it makes scaling onto numerous devices a costly business. Of the free one, paperdesk is a good starting point as well as the native notes app. Also, I could see a scenario where I switch to evernote which is also free. Evernote is a fantastic , established note-taking, archiving service and the iPad app they have created is a good one. The synchronisation with your evernote account means that if you are an existing evernote user there is no need to email or use a cloud computing service for extraction.

It's worth mentioning a couple of write to text apps - Smart Writing Tool and WritePad. However, it would be wrong to comment further as I have not played with them (the costs is pretty high). On this subject, the fact that most note-taking apps cater for stylus or finger writing means that the perceived threat the handwriting need not be the case. You could even perform handwriting classes using the iPads. Although I can type faster than I can write these days I try to use my stylus every so often just to keep this core skill up to speed.

As note-taking is of value in workplace as well as classroom settings this type of activity is easy to practice in a risk free but authentic context.  You can simply ask a colleague to try a note-taking app in a meeting. It's easy to pick-up and demonstrate and the benefits will speak for themselves. Pick a context where the ability to take photos, go online or draw shapes would be useful.

Next time - Annotation.

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The structure of the forthcoming blog posts is listed below:

Set 1: Annotation/note-taking

Write-record notes
Annotation
Drawing
File Management