Learning Guides with Notes

I must start with a shoutout to my teammate @TGilmore, together we asked what's possible with notes and came up with the idea of creating a learning guide. The Notes app on iPad is an easy to use, yet powerful tool for student learning! In this post, you'll explore the app's dynamic features, from multimedia note-taking to organization tools. These functionalities are designed to boost student engagement, foster ownership of the note-taking process, and make learning more meaningful. Transform your students note-taking into an engaging, relevant experience.

There are many great posts on the Forum about the unique features of notes. This post will share ideas for using the features with students to guide learning through a unit or lesson. This lesson example is a middle school history class learning the difference between Loyalists and Patriots.

Activity 1: Warm-up

By taking a screenshot of a blank white space and inserting it as a picture, you can create a designated area for students to utilize the markup tools. Additionally, pay attention to the drop-down arrow next to the section header. If text is formatted as a header in Notes, it will automatically generate a drop-down menu displaying the information beneath that header. This feature simplifies the process for students to collapse the information they have completed while ensuring its easy accessibility if required.  

Activity 2: Loyalists vs. Patriots

The Notes app allows you to embed a PDF in the note so students can read and annotate the article. Below the article a table asks students to take notes on the traits of a loyalist vs. traits of a patriot. And finally, using the audio recording tool in the Notes app, students record themselves explaining 3 reasons why someone might choose to be a loyalist or a patriot.

Activity 3: Sons and Daughters of Liberty

The Notes app also enables you to embed a video. Students can simultaneously watch the video and take notes. This activity involves students first creating a comprehensive list of their knowledge using the checklist tool. Then, they watch the video and checkmark any information they recall that is confirmed. They then add any additional insights below the video. Finally, they are asked to explain a modern cause that Samuel Adams would have fought for based on their understanding of him. Allowing students time to process individually will lay the groundwork for a deeper discussion with their peers.  

 Activity 4: Loyalist or Patriot

The last activity of this note asks students to use emojis to decide whether the person or even listed is a Patriot or a Loyalist. This is an activity that allows students to process their own thinking before discussing as a class.

As a quick check of learning, students are asked to answer the question "What if Samuel Adams had failed to convince others to rebel?" The Notes app allows students to choose how they respond with audio recording, text, or drawing. Students can then screenshot or share their audio to their learning management platform for teacher review.

Why Notes?

There are many apps that can do something similar to this. I like notes because it is simple to use, doesn't require wifi, and has some amazing tools. The notes can then be organized into folders and accessible across your iCloud connected devices. I also love that you can use the Notes app search feature to find anything you need in your notes from handwritten text to text within a scanned PDF or image.

Where should I start?

If you like this idea but aren't sure where to start, my tip would be to start with a notes or lecture activity you already have students do. Then ask yourself, "How could students use the tools in notes to process or interact with the content beyond simply copying down words?"

Want to learn more about notes? Check out these other amazing Forum posts:

Apple Notes Tips

We the People: A Noteworthy Application

Get Organized as a Learning Coach

Help Your Students Organize Their Notes with Tags and Smart Folder

Notes Header images Template

I also like to divide the notes sections out using image headers created with Canva. You can use the templates below to create your own.

Canva Notes Header Template

Canva Section Divider Template

📣 What will you create with notes?

#LCR3 #gosharemo