Tips for Taking Notes on the iPad
The Apple iPad is the perfect multimedia, gaming and communication device, but the it wasn’t necessarily designed for taking notes. Does this mean it is only a toy for the lazy and unemployed? Of course not. Read these tips for taking notes in the iPad. With a few adjustments, such as using note-taking apps, you can turn your iPad into a productivity tool.
Use Note-taking Apps
A solid note-taking app will save you a lot of needless pain and hassle. There are many apps for taking notes that go far beyond the default Notes iPad app. One of my favorites, SoundNote, lets you record audio, type and draw at the same time. This makes it perfect for students. You can draw important diagrams with your finger or stylus, but still have the speed of typing plus a recording of your professor for anything you miss. The highly popular Evernote is also a great choice, but it doesn’t have a drawing feature and audio recording is limited to 20 minutes. Users can sync notes across multiple devices, however. NotePad Pro and Writepad are also viable note-taking apps.
Consider an iPad Keyboard
The iPad’s on-screen keyboard is fine for its intended use, but for professional typists accustomed to churning out many dozens of words per minute, it simply isn’t fast enough. Add a keyboard to your iPad to drastically increase your note-taking speed. You can use the Apple bluetooth wireless keyboard with the iPad as well as a number of other third-party models from Logitech, Kensington and other manufacturers. The ZAGGmate is just one of several iPad cases that has a keyboard built-in. Unfortunately, dragging a keyboard around with you (even if it’s in a case) reduces the iPad’s portability. Owners of the ipad constantly carrying keyboards with them might as well invest in a MacBook Air for taking notes.
Take Better Notes
This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people aren’t efficient note-takers. Learn to do more with less. Even in upper-level college classes I see students struggling to write down every word that comes out of the professor’s mouth. This is not how taking notes works. Your goal is to write down the key points and summarize, not transcribe an entire lecture. You will take much better notes on your iPad if you learn to filter what is important and what isn’t. Check out Stepcase Lifehack’s guide on taking better notes. Soon your friends will be impressed with what a great note-taker you are.
Taking Notes on the iPad
Common sense also applies. Besides following the advice above, make sure you sit close to the speaker and listen attentively. Ask for clarification when needed. Instead of struggling to draw diagrams, you can also use the Camera app to photograph them instead. Don’t make taking notes on the iPad more difficult than it has to be.
Photo | Andy Ihnatko
