Taking Notes on a Tablet?

[OhHey]

Hey guys, I know there are a lot of threads on what computer or tablet to get for med school. But I had a more isolated question: How is the resolution of your stylus when taking notes on your iPad? If the resolution is not good, do you recommend another kind of tablet / tablet convertible with more fine-print stylus writing? I seriously love the idea of using a tablet for med school (keeping all your notes in one place, not having to have binders full of notes, etc.).. and the money would really be worth it to me. But the writability and resolution of a stylus is my main concern. Personally, I take a lot of fine-print notes on my printed lecture slides... tiny words stuffed on to the margins, etc. And I'm wondering if I'll be able to do that for the iPad or any other tablet you guys would recommend..

I'm an incoming MS1 by the way. I wanted to post in this forum to ask more experienced people. I would really appreciate any honest feedback. Thanks, guys.

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[NickNaylor]

One of my classmates ONLY took notes on her iPad. As far as I know she did it for the entirety of the pre-clinical curriculum, so it seems to work for her. I think she would convert the presentations into a PDF slide handout and then annotate those as needed. From my experience many annotation programs allow you to zoom in within the document while allowing you to annotate. When you then zoom back out to a 100% view, your notes are essentially "shrunk," allowing you to take notes that can be pretty fine/small.

Personally I find taking notes on tablets more effort than it's worth, but it depends on your preferences. It is certainly possible - whether it's best for you or not will depend on you.

Sent from my SGH-M919

 

[sazerac]

I use an iPad full time in medical school, and I have one of the many apps that organize and share PDFs, let you zoom in while taking a note, etc. The resolution is fine, especially when zoomed in.

One thing to keep in mind is that with the added volume of information in medical school, your undergrad techniques might not be very successful. Will you have time to take many detailed notes per page anymore? Will you even go to class anymore so you can take the notes? It's hard to say until you get there. New toys are always fun, but I'd strongly suggest going to med school for a couple months, see what doesn't work for you, and then make any necessary changes. Med school is a lot about learning how to learn.

Most med students I know type notes directly on PDFs on their laptops, but I suspect this is because they are still using their laptops from undergrad so it's their low-cost option. I never owned a laptop, so in late October MS1 when it was obvious that "print and pen" was not going to work for me anymore, I bought an iPad as a sort of magic piece of paper and it has worked out great.

 

[OhHey]

Thanks guys for the great input! Didn't realize they had a zooming capability. That's good to know actually. I'm guessing there will be a steep learning curve for the iPad... and a testing period for the best mode of note taking.. like u guys said.. if anyone else has other input or recommendations for a tablet.. please feel free to add!

 

[CrouchingLiger]

It might really help if you got a good external keyboard for the ipad (if you do choose to use it) because if you ever have to write out a lot, it might be difficult. It's definitely faster to type on a good keyboard instead of trying to write with a stylus. However, depending on how detailed the slides are that you're annotating, you may not need to add a whole lot of text. That being said, I never used an ipad, I actually have a convertable laptop that has a stylus input but can still be used as a traditional laptop. I personally feel that this is the way to go. To each their own though.

 

[OhHey]

It might really help if you got a good external keyboard for the ipad (if you do choose to use it) because if you ever have to write out a lot, it might be difficult. It's definitely faster to type on a good keyboard instead of trying to write with a stylus. However, depending on how detailed the slides are that you're annotating, you may not need to add a whole lot of text. That being said, I never used an ipad, I actually have a convertable laptop that has a stylus input but can still be used as a traditional laptop. I personally feel that this is the way to go. To each their own though.

Thanks Liger. Which convertible do u use? And do u switch between the tablet mode and laptop mode depending on how detailed the lecture slides are?

 

[HLxDrummer]

Have you looked at the Surface RT?

Native PPT support with Onenote so you can annotate directly on the PPTs. You can buy an awesome keyboard for it. You can also have two windows up at once (video recording from lecture and the PPT itself so you can watch from your bed and annotate all on the Surface.

If I didn't already have a Kindle Fire that still works I would be all over the Surface (or it's next version).

 

[BlaseFaire]

I've seen people use a tactile keyboard that props the iPad up. Others use the stylus and take notes sparingly. It seems to work for them.

Also, if you have a laptop you can just open the PDF and make small note boxes next to each slide too.

Personally, I think the iPad is a great tool but you have to check it out and see if it works for you. I used an iPad on and off when I started school but realized that I like using pen and paper much more.

 

[NickNaylor]

I've seen people use a tactile keyboard that props the iPad up. Others use the stylus and take notes sparingly. It seems to work for them.

Also, if you have a laptop you can just open the PDF and make small note boxes next to each slide too.

Personally, I think the iPad is a great tool but you have to check it out and see if it works for you. I used an iPad on and off when I started school but realized that I like using pen and paper much more.

That was my experience as well. Of course, the tablet is great for email, as a PDF reader, etc., but I never enjoy writing on one.

Sent from my SGH-M919

 

[SilverCat]

Not in med school yet, but I did take a bunch of courses with PowerPoint- only lectures, and used only my iPad. The Notes Plus app is great for taking notes by typing on PDF- converted slides as well as writing on the slides. It allows you to zoom in on the slides without losing resolution, for those pesky profs who insist on putting six slides on one page. The only problem I encountered was with my only non-PP course; I couldn't draw molecules and complicated, Orgo- like diagrams on it very clearly.

I'm personally going back to printed handouts and pen in med school. I found the temptation to surf the web during boring points in lecture too great for me.

 

[OhHey]

some great points. thanks guys! i'm also wondering if the macbook pro allows you to make little textboxes anywhere you want on the lecture slides.. anyone?

 

[bfMD1291]

Absolutely. I used the text box feature on both powerpoint (and sometimes even keynote) to take notes on my mac all throughout college. it worked great!

 

[OhHey]

Absolutely. I used the text box feature on both powerpoint (and sometimes even keynote) to take notes on my mac all throughout college. it worked great!

Good stuff. Do u know if this works on PC's as well?

 

[bfMD1291]

Works equally well on both PC and Mac. It's more a function of the software (Powerpoint, keynote, etc) and less a function of the hardware. Any machine that runs powerpoint will have the same capability. Hope this helps!

 

[FSUseminoleEM1]

I have an iPad and school issued tablet PC, so here's my opinion on their use.

The iPad - I have only been moderately pleased with its results. I've used a $6 stylus and a $30 stylus (Adonit). The only way to make your handwriting look good is to zoom in to the point where you're writing in kindergarten sized letters. Obviously writing this big slows you down a lot. App-wise I like Notability. Its performance is definitely adequate, but the styli will still hold you back from making it a note taking powerhouse.

The Tablet - much better stylus and has pressure recognition. Using OneNote is nicer than anything on the iPad, but I hate that all of your handwritten notes become surrounded by those "drag-&-drop" boxes like typed text. As soon as you mouse over you get all these annoying outlines that take away from the traditional pen/paper look. The other downside is that with high volume in med school you won't have searchable notes if you don't type them.

Finding a note taking system I like is something I agonize over every day. Same with study strategies. So many of them give okay results, and I haven't found any that truly impress me.

 

[CrouchingLiger]

Thanks Liger. Which convertible do u use? And do u switch between the tablet mode and laptop mode depending on how detailed the lecture slides are?

I have a lenovo x220t issued from my school. Yeah if the slides have a lot of text already on them I usually use it in tablet mode, but if theyre just a few diagrams and most of the information is added verbally by the professor, I'd use it in laptop mode i can type faster. Along with what someone else said, its great to have all my notes searchable; OneNote can search through all text whether its in notes that I've typed, embedded in the slides I download, or even handwritten notes (somehow it can read my handwriting better than I can at times).

 

[FSUseminoleEM1]

I have a lenovo x220t issued from my school. Yeah if the slides have a lot of text already on them I usually use it in tablet mode, but if theyre just a few diagrams and most of the information is added verbally by the professor, I'd use it in laptop mode i can type faster. Along with what someone else said, its great to have all my notes searchable; OneNote can search through all text whether its in notes that I've typed, embedded in the slides I download, or even handwritten notes (somehow it can read my handwriting better than I can at times).

I tried this and didn't get acceptable results. I actually have nice handwriting, too, that's the funny part. Maybe I'll try again in M2.

 

[OhHey]

Liger and FSUseminole,

Excellent comparison and great insight. How do you guys like the lenovo x220t? It was really appealing to me, until I realized the screen is only 12.5 in. (I'm thinking bout getting the thinkpad helix and it's only 11.6 in.) Has this bothered you at all? It's a good size for a tablet, but it seems so frustratingly small as a laptop.

Thanks.

 

[CrouchingLiger]

Nah, i don't mind the small size at all, even considering that my old laptop had a nice 15" screen. Its easier to carry around and whatnot as it is to lab, to the library, or wherever else to study. When I'm studying at home I have an external monitor at my desk, but I never really felt like i needed a larger screen while studying. Plus considering that I have my laptop with me basically everywhere, being small and light is a good thing, especially if you're going to be carrying around books as well.

 

[Kiro90]

I use the Sony Vaio Duo 11 with an active digitizer (not stylus) that takes amazing notes with the OneNote software. Check it out!

 

[synecdoche]

It sounds like a few of you relied on your iPads/tablets really heavily and your laptops weren't really missed, in lecture anyway. I am wondering whether I should also do this when I start in the fall, and allocate my money toward a new desktop instead of a new laptop.

I bought my iPad in undergrad hoping it would eliminate the need to lug my laptop around, but a bunch of my classes started assigning Excel/Powerpoint-based assignments and I had to bring the laptop to campus almost every day (while the iPad gathered dust). So, is this something I need to be wary of in med school at all? I'm comfortable taking notes on my iPad and would look forward to carrying a lighter bag.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Vermicious Knid]

I use goodreader, which allows you to zoom in as much as you want.

 

[DrDreams]

I ended up buying a tablet to use for taking notes, but the information just doesnt stick. Pen and paper, with LOTS of notebooks is my strategy.

 

[scrubs1489]

I ended up buying a tablet to use for taking notes, but the information just doesnt stick. Pen and paper, with LOTS of notebooks is my strategy.

Are you typing notes or stylus handwriting onto a pdf? I did handwritten notes through undergrad and i feel like writing things out sticks better.

Is there a difference between pen/paper and stylus/tablet?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[OhHey]

I ended up buying a tablet to use for taking notes, but the information just doesnt stick. Pen and paper, with LOTS of notebooks is my strategy.

Yea. This is also my worry. I wanna use a tablet to take notes.. but using pen and paper makes into my brain better for some reason. But maybe it's because I'm not very used to tablets yet.. whereas I've been using pen and paper for ages. Also.. i like being able to hold up my note filled paper.. flip through pages for content review... walk around looking through them... for some reason, physically turning pages make me feel productive. Like as if i completed a thought and moving on. Very different from scrolling down through a pdf. Does this make sense? any thoughts from pen/paper to tablet converts?

 

[MDPhDJourney]

Can anyone comment on using an Ipad vs. an Ipad Mini?

-MPJ

 

[ZuluHotel]

I use the Sony Vaio Duo 11 with an active digitizer (not stylus) that takes amazing notes with the OneNote software. Check it out!

I agree that an active digitizer is really essential if you want to handwrite notes. Huge difference in ease and accuracy over a stylus on an iPad screen.

If you want more of a tablet format, You might look at a Microsoft Surface Pro, which has an active digitizer pen but is a tablet rather than a convertible laptop.

 

[folarino]

Liger and FSUseminole,

Excellent comparison and great insight. How do you guys like the lenovo x220t? It was really appealing to me, until I realized the screen is only 12.5 in. (I'm thinking bout getting the thinkpad helix and it's only 11.6 in.) Has this bothered you at all? It's a good size for a tablet, but it seems so frustratingly small as a laptop.

Thanks.

OhHey,

I have the Helix (Core I7 180GB version) and I LOVE taking notes with it in One Note 2013.
I came from a 15 in laptop so it was a bit of a drop in size but I love the portability and haven't had problems with the size.
Note however, there is an issue with the touchscreen or stylus will occasionally stop responding when using it in One Note 2013. This issue doesn't occur in One Note app that comes preinstalled.
I personally use One Note 2013 because it has a lot more features.
Re-seating the pen, or turning off and back on the tablet usually resolves it.
Active thread on Lenovo's forum on this issue.
http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/X-Serie...nd-pen-stylus-stop-working-Helix/td-p/1107251

Regardless of the issue, it's the best tablet/laptop I've owned.

Are you typing notes or stylus handwriting onto a pdf? I did handwritten notes through undergrad and i feel like writing things out sticks better.

Is there a difference between pen/paper and stylus/tablet?

When I started taking notes with tablets I had this same sentiment but as I continued throughout the semester it left. I think what happens is, when you start taking notes on tablets, you are actively thinking about the note taking process in the new format and not fully concentrating on the material. IMO once you get used to it, it replicates paper, except you don't have to haul around tons of notebooks, the notes are accessible across various devices (software dependent) and most importantly, they are searchable!

Also.. i like being able to hold up my note filled paper.. flip through pages for content review... walk around looking through them... for some reason, physically turning pages make me feel productive. Like as if i completed a thought and moving on. Very different from scrolling down through a pdf. Does this make sense? any thoughts from pen/paper to tablet converts?

Totally get what you're saying, cuz I'm the same way. The way I take notes in One Note is to replicate this feeling.
I have a notebook per class. Each notebook has sections for each exam in the class.
Each exam section has pages for each topic covered for that exam. I use subpages under each page subtopics.

 

[wonderdog]

Ya'll should check and make sure that you can use your loan money for a new ipad/laptop etc. For example, at my school, they only allow you to make such a purchase with your loans once: at the beginning of M1. After that, they review your needs on a case by case basis. Just my two cents.

 

[MDPhDJourney]

Ya'll should check and make sure that you can use your loan money for a new ipad/laptop etc. For example, at my school, they only allow you to make such a purchase with your loans once: at the beginning of M1. After that, they review your needs on a case by case basis. Just my two cents.

How do they keep track of what you're spending your loan money on?

-MPJ, incoming MS1

 

[wonderdog]

How do they keep track of what you're spending your loan money on?

-MPJ, incoming MS1

I'm really not sure.

 

[wonderdog]

How do they keep track of what you're spending your loan money on?

-MPJ, incoming MS1

They calculate a 'monthly' loan amount that you can use. They give you more for your first month to make larger purchases for what you need. I.E. laptop/iPad. Source: M3 at my school.

 

[FutureDO2016]

Honestly, my school gives everyone Ipads as part of the tuition but I preferred printing out notes to highlight, draw, color and annotate stuff. I just don't like looking at the ipad screen all day and not physically writing stuff...but most of my classmates love it so it all depends on the person.

 

[Mountaineer12]

Not to hijack your thread, it's kind of related. 😛 Does everyone in med school add notes to powerpoints/note packets? No one takes good 'ol straight notebook notes while the professor is lecturing?

They say to keep your undergrad strategies when you first start and in undergrad I never really used the powerpoints, I always wrote notes in the notebook or on my iPad. It doesn't seem like this is possible in med school though. Any insights?

 

[DrDreams]

Are you typing notes or stylus handwriting onto a pdf? I did handwritten notes through undergrad and i feel like writing things out sticks better.

Is there a difference between pen/paper and stylus/tablet?

Yes. I definitely believe so. I noticed that as I write on my tablet, I have to concentrate on not making errors because it is a pain to go back and erase, especially in fast paced lectures. My lectures this year are all first year medical school classes minus clinicals. I am not willing to take that chance to fall behind during the lecture.

In addition, as you write on paper, it seems to be retained in your memory. I had an exam, and I was stumped on a question, then I recall taking a note about that vividly on paper, and I got the question right. The times that I had written on the tablet, I've never had recall like that. It is VERY useful though, if your instructor has a ppt, and tends to make notes in the ppt and not post them. In that case, I use both the tablet to annotate the ppt and my notes to elaborate.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Yea. This is also my worry. I wanna use a tablet to take notes.. but using pen and paper makes into my brain better for some reason. But maybe it's because I'm not very used to tablets yet.. whereas I've been using pen and paper for ages. Also.. i like being able to hold up my note filled paper.. flip through pages for content review... walk around looking through them... for some reason, physically turning pages make me feel productive. Like as if i completed a thought and moving on. Very different from scrolling down through a pdf. Does this make sense? any thoughts from pen/paper to tablet converts?

OhHey,

I completely agree, it is a pain to actually single screen scroll or even double page scroll horizontally on a tablet. I do however after making my notes in my notebook, picture them in as PDF files so I have them if I do need.