Bamboo Paper

Bamboo Paper is an electronic journal that allows users to write and modify notes using the tip of their finger. To begin, users tap the “+” button to add a new journal and then tap to it to open it. Users can then choose the color for their journal’s cover, as well as the type of paper to be used in the journal (graph, horizontal lines, vertical lines, or blank, among other options). When journaling, users can select from a variety of colors and writing utensils, add pages to their journal, and bookmark important journal entries/pages. Lastly, Bamboo Paper enables users to import pictures and share their journal’s content using email, Dropbox, or social media websites.

Instructional Ideas

1. As part of a class routine, teachers can begin or end class by providing students with journal prompts relating to a lesson’s content. Students can then compose responses in Bamboo Paper to email to the teacher.
2. After reading a text or viewing a video/image, students can journal a response to it using Bamboo Paper. Responses can then be emailed to the teacher for grading.
3. Math teachers can project a practice problem on the board. Students can then create an entry in Bamboo Paper to solve the problem and email the entry to the teacher for grading
4. After learning about a topic, teachers can instruct students to use Bamboo Paper to create a graphical representation of the topic. Students can then email their images to the teacher, who can print them out for posting on a classroom wall.
5. When discussing different topics with students during an instructional unit, teachers can require them to take notes using Bamboo Paper. By the end of the unit, students can amass a journal full of notes that they can save for future reference. Plus, teachers can have students email their notes to them for accountability.