Use Your Handwriting

Use Your Handwriting allows users to jot notes quickly with their finger or a stylist. To write a note, users first tap the “lined” button on the bottom left of the screen to select the category for their note, which includes calendar, home, studying, idea, shopping categories among others. Next, they are to tap the “+” button to begin a new note. After tapping the “+” button, users can begin writing their note in the area on the bottom of their screen. As they reach the right margin, users must pause and the app will create additional space for users to continue writing their note. While writing their note, users can tap the “magnifying glass” to see their note’s complete text, the “circles” button to change their ink color, the “circle arrow” button to undo a note, and the “left arrow” and “right arrow” to advance or rewind their note taking area. Once the note has been written, users can tap the “done” button to save it to the category they selected. At this point, users can then browse notes by category. If users want to share their note, they can tap it from the category and share it over email or social media, save it to their photos, or copy it to their clipboard by tapping the “upload” button. Users can also tap the note and then the “right arrow” button that follows it to add a sub-note. To delete a note, users must swipe a note left to right twice when they are viewing it from the category screen. The first time they swipe it, a checkmark will appear. The second time they swipe it, they will have the option to delete it.

Please Note: Users can upgrade for $9.99 to purchase additional content for this app.

Instructional Ideas

1. Teachers can have students write down their homework assignments using this app. To do so, students would have to click the calendar option under the category feature and choose the due date for the assignment. Next, students would create a new note and write the assignment they are to complete.
2. Teachers can use this app to create a think-pair-share activity. While listening to a lecture, viewing a movie, or reading a text, teachers can require students to note an idea, question, or fact they learned in this app. Afterwards, students can share what they wrote with a partner, and the two can discuss it. Finally, teachers can move the class to a whole group conversation and have the pairs of students share with their classmates what they wrote.
3. While viewing a PowerPoint presentation, teachers can pause after each slide and require students to write a one-sentence summary of what they learned or were taught from the slide. This activity can be modified so students write summaries following after every: (1) few pages of text read, (2) minutes of video are watched, or (3) comments are shared.
4. To help learn vocabulary terms, teachers can have students write each vocabulary word as a separate note. Next, students can write the definition for the word as a sub-note. (To create a sub-note, students will need to swipe their original note left to right and then tap the “right” arrow.) When students study then, they will be able to view the vocabulary words separately from their definitions.
5. Young students can practice their handwriting skills using this app. After they learn how to write letters, teachers can call out a letter and have students write it in this app. As students are writing, teachers can make sweeps of the room to ensure students are writing their letters correctly. That way, their learning of handwriting will be reinforced.

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