Using C-pen 3.5 to collect journal notes

C-Pen 3.5I have been using a C-pen 3.5 for collecting printed notes that can be stored for assignments. It works well with Bluetooth and a Windows computer – You can run the pen over the print quite quickly and it will appear in whatever document you are using.

I have found it works best on high contrast black print on white paper or vice versa. The smaller the font the slower you need to scan. If you use a ruler or hard edge against the side of the pen you get a more accurate result and can scan across the page at a faster rate.

Luke – ECS

e-Books on iPad as opposed to the Kindle.

iPad settings“I tend to set up the screen resolution and brightness [on the iPad] to suit my eyes depending on the time of day and lighting. My first job was working in sales but then I took a degree and from then on have really made the most of computer skills to see me through work and any further studies.

I use the iPad as a third monitor (to hold my notes, whilst I write), as a fantastic desktop calculator, to watch the BBC iPlayer in bed, to check and send emails, I use it in front of the television if I am watching a video to check up on facts etc!

The ONLY downside of the iPad is …weight.I wouldn’t want to stand on the tube reading The Times on it for 40 minutes.It has colour, which is missing on the Kindle, and you can browse the ‘real’ Amazon with iPad and read Kindle books [via the Kindle app]. I also do not like the page transform on the Kindle (the page goes black for a second and then refreshes with your new page). Very annoying to my eyesight.

On the iPad you can adjust colour from bright white to beige – I like beige and you have 6 font sizes – finally I run the actual brightness at around 20% but the glossy screen means that it can be difficult to read in direct sunlight whereas the Kindle will work quite happily on the beach!For me the Kindle screen is too small (6″) as opposed to iPad (9.7″)”

Richard – Computer Science

 

LiveScribe for note taking, planning and diagrams

livescribe

” I find if I use the LiveScribe with the ear buds just hanging loosely round my neck, then the microphone from the pen does not pick up the scratching when writing, but still records the lecture or meeting”  (You need the digital pen with the special paper notepads and the software for transferring notes to the computer or tablet and it can be used with Evernote)

Ursula

Assistant App for organising your time with voice rather than typing

assistant appSandra sent an email about her work with links to her TeachTapin blog and there she mentioned her use of iPads and an iPhone   “Assistant App is a great new app powered by the Nuance voice technology used for Dragon and other applications.   It allows you to organise your time by way of a calendar with all dates and events now added by voice recording. As a dyslexic it allows me to take ownership in planning my time but also means that others can set me reminders.  Hearing a voice relay the information to me is a great help.”
Assistant App in the Apple store  £1.49 on this date – 50% off for a limited time.  There is a free Android ‘Assistant’ app that also works with voice but is mainly for opening other apps, answering questions etc.
Sandra Fox TeachTapin blog

Use different TTS voices and use Siri for sending text messages

“I use different voices for my text to speech and I use Siri to send notes to lecturers as an instant message (SMS).  It is the flexibility of the iPhone that is so good – you can multitask using several tools at once.”

Karima – sent via the strategy form

However, there can be some problems when ‘Trying to Use Siri to Text Message‘ as this YouTube video illustrates!

Open Library – The record interpreter for definitions and roots

open library and manuscript“I have to work with ancient manuscripts and find that the online Open Library record interpreter is really helpful when it comes to Latin roots. I use two screens and scan the manuscript into Word and then add notes in comment boxes.”

The Open  Library offers books and papers that can be read online and in several other formats including PDF, Plain text, DAISY, ePub, DjVu, MOBI as well as sending a copy to a Kindle

Becky  – Medieval Renaissance Culture.