How2App: Notability

How2App is a video tutorial series about how to start using an app and learn the basics of using it.

This week, I made a video detailing the awesome features of Notability.

For your viewing pleasure

Notability is truly an A+ app. I highly recommend it to any student.

Google Releases Standalone Apps for Docs and Sheets

Since it was first released in 2010, Google Docs has been one of the most popular Document editing applications, alongside Sheets for spreadsheets and Slides for presentations. In 2012, Google furthered the functionality of these applications by introducing Google Drive. While it had been possible to use Docs as a file storage system, Drive made it official with increased storage space and a desktop client. Now, Google is taking another step forward by releasing standalone applications for Docs and Sheets on iOS and Android (with a Slides app coming soon).

Google's current Drive app offerings on Chrome

With the release of these apps, Google has removed the editing functionality from the main Drive app on iOS and Android. Instead, with the new update, Drive now opens documents and spreadsheets in their own standalone apps, and prompts you to download them if you haven't already.

Docs and Sheets on an iPhone

The Good:

• Simplified apps are easy to use
• Accessing specific document type (document, spreadsheet, etc.) is faster
• Capable replacement for Microsoft's and Apple's office suites
• Separate applications allow Google to quickly fix bugs on any individual app
• Easy to collaborate with others on files

The Bad:

• No image insertion support
• Can be more annoying to manage multiple apps
• Lack certain features that make editing smoother
• No Slides app as of 5-5-2014

Overall, I like the direction that Google is taking with their new standalones. Touting separate apps for each of the main document types, Google is now capable of going toe-to-toe with Apple's offerings on the iPad - Docs for Pages, Sheets for Numbers, and Slides for Keynote. Though some functionality is left to be desired, I am sure that Google will continuously update in the future and listen to user concerns.

Chromebook vs. iPad

1:1 programs and technology integration is a recent trend sweeping the nation. Schools seek to use technology to augment the learning process. Indeed, many resources exist online that help students of all ages and grades with learning new concepts. I myself take notes over PDFs, as I find it a much more efficient process that the classic pen-and-paper. A question that every school district needs to ask is "What device to use?". Though my school uses iPads, I recently have had the opportunity to use a Samsung Chromebook to test its capabilities vs. the iPad's. Here are the pros and cons of the Chromebook that I have found so far:

Pros:

• Deep integration with Google Services
• Full keyboard
• 2 USB Ports (1 USB 2.0 and 1 USB 3.0)
• 1 HDMI Port
• 1 Standard SD Card Slot
• Ability to expand to an external hard drive or flash drive
• Chromecast Support
• Chrome App Store
• Ability to use extensions
• 11.6 inch screen
• Ability to plug in a full keyboard and a mouse

Cons:

• Little to no ability to annotate .PDF files
• Bulky
• Trackpad is difficult to use for larger hands
• Somewhat flimsy plastic frame

Overall, I find that the iPad is currently the better option for schoolwork. The touchscreen allows for very user-friendly interaction, and it has a much wider selection of applications available. Still, some features such as USB ports and the full keyboard are sorely missed features on the iPad.