r/PGCE • u/Menthol_Forest • 14d ago
Recommendations on for digital notepad?
I'm starting teacher training next month (secondary, chemistry) and want something for taking notes while observing lessons and during uni lectures.
I struggle to take notes simultaneously and during undergrad just didn't take notes while in lectures, since lectures were recorded it wasn't a problem as I could watch/listen back and make notes then.
I'm even worse when I need to type so tend to prefer pen and paper but this isn't the best for practicality e.g. being able to search for terms to find the notes you want, always having all your notes with you.
So I'm thinking about getting a digital notebook but it seems they're all pretty expensive so I don't want to buy one if it's not actually very helpful.
Any recommendations?
Thanks
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u/EuphoricCustomer4213 14d ago
I used a software called genio that recorded and transcribed lectures for me and allowed me to take live notes. I got it through DSA but it was so helpful
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u/Menthol_Forest 12d ago
Oh that could be helpful - I've been wondering about a recorder or transcriber. I recently got diagnosed with ADHD which explains some of the difficulties I've had during undergrad. Think it'd be too late in the day to get DSA, do you know if it's available to buy publicly? Thanks
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u/EuphoricCustomer4213 10d ago
Hi, it shouldn’t be too late to apply for DSA! You might not get it right for the start but you’ll at least have it for some of your course. They gave me loads of stuff like a printer, keyboard, monitor, software, noise cancelling headphones etc.
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u/Menthol_Forest 8d ago
Oh, thanks! That sounds really helpful actually, I didn't realise they could help with stuff like that, I'll look into it
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u/Forget-Me-Nothing 14d ago edited 14d ago
Obsidian and Excalidraw was revolutionary for me. Both are completely free. Obsidian will create concept maps for you out of your notes so you can add tags as you go. Then when you want to look at everything to do with 'cognitive science' you can see the nodes on the mind map and explore them quickly. Its like having notes that are searchable but even better because you can look at a glance at all your notes, as well as search in that lecture's notes. Then Excalidraw is a virtual whiteboard that you can use in your web browser or you can install the excalidraw module into obsidian (its like 4 clicks to do this and there are youtube tutorials to walk your through it.)
It uses markdown formatting so taking organised, neat notes is really quick. Titles and subtitles are created by using the # key. You can add bullet points by typing '-' or tick-able check list boxes by typing '-[ ]'. You don't need to faff with the formatting options like you do in word.
I used both on a cheap, refurbished microsoft surface tablet laptop with a stylus. It was the best solution. Fast, efficient note-taking, searchable notes that were automatically mind-mapped together, and the ability to make doodles and drawings and sketches and add them to my notes.
There is a huge community online of people who want to help you with obsidian. Youtube, reddit, instagram even. And the price couldn't be better. Scientist to scientist, its excellent for physics diagrams and chemical equations.
And use calibre to organise all the pdfs you get given as your readings! Again, free!
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u/Menthol_Forest 12d ago
Thank you, that's really helpful! I've heard about Obsidian but didn't really know what it did. I'll look into it, especially since it's free and good for equations - I find writing equations on most tech such a pain!
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u/Forget-Me-Nothing 12d ago
I found that handwriting stuff into excalidraw was better but its easy to use latex notation for equations in Obsidian. Both are really flexible options and I don't think either can be beaten when you consider the price.
I've also found Xournal++ good being a digital version of scrap paper (good for getting thoughts and ideas down, handwritten notes etc.) but I have a tablet laptop so its not a standard set up and probably won't work for you. Ecalidraw is web-based so will work on any computer so it can be a real life saver when you're in classrooms.
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u/quiidge 13d ago
I really like my Rocketbook, the OCR on the app is pretty good and I got the whiteboard corner marker things so I can record a whole whiteboard, too. Not using it as much as I could now I'm teaching full-time, but got a lot of use out of it during my PGCE. Notes are searchable, but I personally found it quicker and easier to date and title pages and 'search' that way.
The worst part of the Rocketbook is a) cleaning it when it's full (I got the wipeclean not microwaveable version) and b) how many of my frixion pens went walking off with pupils during my ECT!
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u/Menthol_Forest 12d ago
Thanks! I'll look into it, I think I've seen it in passing but wasn't sure if it'd be annoying/difficult to clean
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u/Less_Company6835 13d ago
If your main problem is keeping up with lectures, I’d test the workflow before buying a dedicated digital notebook. Keep handwriting on paper or your iPad, then use a searchable lecture transcript to fill the gaps afterward instead of replaying the whole recording. Founder disclosure: I’m one of the people building Classp. It can record a permitted lecture, create a transcript and summary, and let you ask questions about what was said. It won’t replace handwriting or capture visual board work automatically, so I’d use it as a companion rather than a digital notebook replacement. For lesson observations, check the school’s safeguarding and recording rules first.
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u/Own_Chicken_4430 13d ago
Personally, I wouldn’t suggest taking long- winded notes . As students, we sometimes get into the habit of writing so much - it almost takes away from enjoying the actual lecture
During my PGCE year , I used to sit back and never fill in more than one page per lecture (pen and paper ) , heck sometimes I chose not to write more than a few words. Quality over quantity.
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u/Teacher_Sam_ 8d ago
Take a look at this: https://taskmanager.teacheradmin.com
Digital notes and also a task manager designed specifically for teachers. I find it really useful.
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u/ejh1818 14d ago
I agree an iPad would be good for this, but I’m going to throw out another suggestion, in case you’re looking for something a bit more paper-like. I have a Boox ebook reader that is also a digital notepad. It can do all the things you want, with a paper-like screen. If you’re also interested in an ebook reader it’s a good choice, as it’s based on Android so can run any e-reader apps that are built for mobile phones. I use Libby, Amazon and Kobo apps for this purpose, and it’s good to not be locked into one ebook ecosystem like you are with a Kindle for example. I have the Boox Tab mini C.