Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Best Utilize the Functions of Notability App on iPad for High School Students
Notability is one of the best note-taking apps available for iPad. It's perfect for high school students because it allows you to take handwritten notes, type, record audio, annotate PDFs, and more—all in one place. This tutorial will guide you step-by-step on how to make the most of Notability for your schoolwork.
Step 1: Download the Notability App
If you don’t have the app yet, here’s how to download it:
Open the App Store on your iPad.
In the search bar, type Notability.
Tap the Get button to download and install the app (Note: Notability is a paid app, but sometimes it may be available on discount).
Step 2: Open and Set Up Notability
Once you’ve downloaded the app, follow these steps to set it up:
Open the Notability app from your home screen.
The first time you open it, you may be asked to sign in with an Apple ID or a Google account. You can skip this if you prefer not to link your account, but signing in allows you to sync your notes across multiple devices.
Tap Create a Note to start using the app right away!
Step 3: Create a New Note
To start taking notes, follow these steps:
Tap the + button in the top-right corner of the main screen.
Select Note from the options to create a new blank note.
A blank page will appear, ready for you to start writing.
Step 4: Understand the Note-Taking Interface
When you create a note, you’ll see a few important tools at the top and bottom of the screen:
Pen tool (to write or draw).
Text tool (to type text).
Highlighter tool (for highlighting text).
Eraser tool (to erase mistakes).
Lasso tool (to move or resize selections of your notes).
Media options (for inserting pictures, audio recordings, and more).
Page options (for adding more pages or changing the layout).
Step 5: Write Notes with the Apple Pencil or Finger
One of Notability's strengths is the ability to handwrite notes. Here’s how to use the pen tool:
Tap the Pen icon from the toolbar.
Choose your pen style (you can choose from different colors and thicknesses).
Use the Apple Pencil or your finger to write on the screen. You can make notes, draw diagrams, or write equations in your own handwriting.
Tip: If you make a mistake, tap the Eraser icon and swipe over the area you want to erase.
Step 6: Type Notes Using the Text Tool
If you prefer typing or need to type alongside handwritten notes, use the Text Tool:
Tap the Text Tool (the "T" icon) from the toolbar.
Tap anywhere on the page to bring up the keyboard and start typing.
You can move and resize the text box by tapping and dragging the edges.
You can mix typing and handwriting in the same note, which is great for organizing your notes and emphasizing important information.
Step 7: Highlight Important Text
To highlight important points in your notes:
Tap the Highlighter icon from the toolbar.
Choose the color and thickness of your highlighter.
Use the Apple Pencil or finger to highlight text or drawings.
Tip: Highlighting can be used to emphasize key ideas, like definitions or formulas, making it easier to study later.
Step 8: Add Images, Photos, or Screenshots
You can easily add visual aids like images or screenshots to your notes:
Tap the Media button (it looks like a photo icon).
Choose Photo to select an image from your photo library or Insert Image to import a file.
Position the image on your page by dragging it.
Tip: You can add diagrams, class slides, or pictures of textbook pages to accompany your notes.
Step 9: Record Audio with Notes
Notability allows you to record audio while you take notes, which is especially helpful during lectures:
Tap the Microphone icon in the toolbar.
Press Record when you're ready to start recording.
As you write notes, the app will record the audio and sync it with your handwritten notes.
Press Stop when you're finished recording.
To listen to the recording later, just tap the audio icon in your note, and it will play from that exact point in the note.
Step 10: Organize Notes into Subjects or Topics
As you take more notes, you'll want to organize them to keep track of different subjects. Here's how to create folders and move your notes:
Tap the back arrow in the top left to return to the main screen.
Tap Create New in the top-right corner and select Folder to create a new folder.
Name the folder (e.g., "Math," "English," "History") to organize your notes by subject.
To move notes into a folder, tap Edit, select the notes you want to move, and drag them into the folder.
Step 11: Annotate PDFs or Class Handouts
If your teacher gives you class handouts or worksheets in PDF format, you can import and annotate them directly in Notability:
Tap the Import button (the box with an arrow) to import a PDF from your Files or another app.
Once the PDF is open in Notability, you can use the Pen, Highlighter, or Text tools to annotate it.
You can even add handwritten notes next to the PDF content or circle key points.
Step 12: Sync Your Notes Across Devices
If you want to access your notes on other devices (like your iPhone or Mac), you can sync your notes with iCloud:
Go to the Settings (gear icon) in Notability.
Tap iCloud Sync and enable it.
Any changes you make to your notes will automatically sync to all devices that have iCloud enabled.
This is great for accessing your notes on the go and ensures everything is backed up.
Step 13: Share and Export Your Notes
If you need to share your notes with a teacher or a classmate, Notability makes it easy:
Open the note or folder you want to share.
Tap the Share icon (a square with an arrow pointing up).
Choose how you want to share the note:
Email: Send your notes as a PDF or Notability file.
AirDrop: Send the notes to another Apple device.
Save to Files: Save your notes to iCloud Drive or local storage.
Step 14: Use the Lasso Tool for Editing
The Lasso Tool allows you to select and move parts of your notes:
Tap the Lasso Tool (it looks like a dashed circle).
Draw around the text or drawings you want to select.
Once selected, you can move, resize, or copy the selection.
This tool is especially useful for rearranging or copying diagrams or handwritten notes.
Step 15: Add and Customize Page Templates
Notability offers various page templates to help you organize your notes:
Tap the three dots in the top-right corner of a note.
Select Note Settings and tap Change Paper.
You can choose from blank, grid, lined, or specialty templates (like music staves, for example).
Using templates is helpful for organizing different types of notes, such as math problems or graphs.
Step 16: Use Shortcuts for Quick Access
Notability supports a number of keyboard shortcuts for iPads with keyboards. Some useful shortcuts include:
Command + N: Create a new note.
Command + Z: Undo the last action.
Command + Shift + Z: Redo the last undone action.
Command + P: Print the current note.
Step 17: Backup Your Notes
It’s a good idea to back up your notes regularly:
Go to Settings (gear icon) in Notability.
Tap Backups and choose a cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to automatically back up your notes. This ensures you won’t lose any important notes, especially before big exams.
With Notability, you can take your notes to the next level by combining handwriting, typing, drawing, audio recordings, and annotations. Whether you're in class taking lecture notes, studying for a test, or organizing your homework, Notability helps you stay organized and productive. By following this guide, you can master the app and make the most of its powerful features.
Happy note-taking! ✏️
