iAnnotate for iPad, annotate PDFs, mark essays on screen

iAnnotate is a sophisticated iPad app for managing, reading and annotating PD aF files. As I'm an active researcher, I have to read many such files, often downloaded from journals (as text PDFs). I have also sometimes scanned chapters from books (as image PDFs) allowing me to read them on screen. I have a large collection of PDFs in Apple's own iBooks app, and am now slowly moving them into the much more sophisticated iAnnotate.

Here is a screen shot to illustrate what I am talking about. It is a page from an image based PDF of a chapter by Bruno Latour (from his web site).

You can see the annotation tools on the right. This toolbar can be reconfigured with many more options, including different coloured highlighters, pencils, typed text (the typrewriter icon). On this page I have scribled some annotations, typed some more detailed annotations and highlighted some text. I used an AluPen stylus to write the annotations (£20 from the Apple shop in Leamington, also good for general typing and usein the iPad interface). When working with text based PDF files (of the kind usually available from journals), the text itself may be selected and annotated more precisely. It can also be copied and pasted into other programs (like Pages the word processor). In this example you can also see that I have two documents open, displayed in tabs along the top. I can switch between them easily, or tap on the currently displayed article to go full screen with no tool box or menus.

Two further tools that I haven't used: using the iPad's built in mic I can add audio comments; the PDF can be sent by email, including a summary of all of the annotations. These features suggest a particularly important use - on screen marking of essays. Most academics I have talked to about this have said that they sit in a relaxed chair when marking, not at a desk. So marking on an iPad might fit. It is also known that audio feedback can make a significant difference to some students.

More about iAnnotate and a link to the app store ($9.99).

Robert O'Toole : 12 Dec 2011 13:56 |  Tags: Inspiration |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Arts Faculty Learning Technology Newsletter November 2011

Dear Colleagues

Here is a summary of news about learning, teaching and research technology support in the Arts Faculty (including a new interest group dealing with research and impact technologies).

Drop-in sessions with your e-learning advisor - I will be available every Wednesday between 12:00 and 13:30 in the Graduate Space. For staff and students. At other times I can often be found in the IATL Media Suite. Appointments to discuss any aspect of technology or planned projects - just email me at r.b.o-toole@warwick.ac.uk and we can arrange to meet.

Video production in the IATL Media Suite - simple, supported video production and editing facilities. I can do individual or group training for staff and students, enabling the creation of good quality online films, and converting PowerPoint based presentations to online video. Book at http://go.warwick.ac.uk/iatl/resources

Videoconferencing - using the excellent WebEx software, I can bring videoconferencing directly into your office, lecture, workshop or seminar. See this great example with Nick Monk (Warwick), his students and Sarah McDonald (Monash): http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/inspireslearning/entry/using_webex_desktop/

Using iPads in teaching and research - we have a set of 6 iPads which can be booked as a set to be used in seminars and workshops. I've been trialling this with Catherine Hampton in French Studies and in my own teaching, with great results. Mind mapping on the iPads has proved to be particularly good a small group activity. I now also have much experience of using an iPad as part of my own research process. Come to the iPadology event in the Teaching Grid to find out more and to have a go. Wednesday 30th November, 12.45 to 14.45 (with food).

Using Sitebuilder – along with the new ID6 look, Sitebuilder now includes many features that turn it into a good platform for hosting learning activities, including student research contributions and multimedia. When combined with forums, blogs and podcasts, you can create a comprehensive approach to student-engaged and productive learning. Contact me for more information, design support and training.

You might also like to join one of these interest groups, working on identifying new IT requirements and best practice. Send me an email telling me which you wish to join.

Arts & Humanities research technology - including impact, engagement, Virtual Research Environments, visual media archives, databases, undergraduate research.

E-portfolios and personal development - including new work on e-portfolios for undergraduates.

Extended Learning Ecologies (ELE) - thinking about the future, post-VLE learning technologies and how they fit better with arts and humanities education.

Thanks

Robert

Robert O'Toole : 15 Nov 2011 14:39 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Using and supporting Apple computers

For University of Warwick staff, I have created a list of links to pages that detail the support that is currently available at Warwick. This includes information on purchasing, how to get site licensed software (Office 2010, Mindmanager, maths and stats software, Endnote and more), and security. See the list here.

I have a small collection of Apple computers, both at Warwick and at home. Some of them are in quite regular use, as part of the IATL Media Suite. As a result, I'm widely known as someone who can give advice on Apple computers. On a few occasions recently I have been asked: what kind of support is needed for people using Apple? My answer is: not much, although until recently Apple users in HE have either been:

• People who care more about their hardware and software, who buy their own equipment, and are prepared to put more time into getting to know it and getting the most out of it.
• People who have specific requirements, best met by Apple (especially video editing).

That's starting to change, with many non-geeky people getting Apple machines, as a result of positive experiences with other Apple equipment (iPod, iPhone), negative experiences with Windows, and the growing "network effect" with Apple users recommending and supporting their friends.

So what support might be needed if Apple use were to grow further?

Most commonly asked questions

Simply: are we allowed to buy Apple (yes)? what should I buy? how can it be paid for through the university (link on the purchasing site)? how do we get the academic discount (a bit complicated)? how do I get my email (wait until you move to the Live@Edu system, use web interface for now)? how do I get Microsoft Office (we have a site license)? Do I need anti-virus software? (the consensus is still NO).

I help people to get started with iMovie, Keynote etc. But usually it only takes a little bit of help (I can do iMovie easily in 30 minutes max).

Hardware problems

I've got or look after 6 iMacs (now over 3 years old), 2 Mac Minis, 5 MacBooks and 1 MacBook AIR (over 3 years old). I have only the basic 1 year warranty. Given that the 3 year Apple Care is available at a much lower cost to HE, in future I will get that. I've come across 3 hardware faults:

1. MacBook battery failure - replacement £80 on an out of warranty machine. Apple recommend that laptops are used as much as possible running off the battery (not mains), and that using the battery almost to empty will prolong its life. That does work.
2. Headphone socket failure on an iMac - I've not fixed this, but suspect it might have been caused by ugrading to OSX Lion.
3. Wifi card failure on a Mac Mini - I added an external wifi card through usb.

I've hear of other people having problems fixed quite quickly under Apple Care.

Apple Mice are a bit rubbish! Some people like them. Many hate them. I recommend using the Apple Magic Trackpad instead.

Operating System

Never had a problem with a machine running on the version of OSX that it was designed to run (most of mine are older, and run Snow Leopard). However, upgrading an older machine using the very latest OSX is a problem. Best avoided if possible.

Auto-updating is relatively simple.

Back-up is handled by Time Machine, perhaps the best and most intuitive system available. A big hard disk (1TB+), formatted in the Apple format, makes it work well. However, the online backup through iCloud also offers a simple alternative (although the 5GB limit will cause problems).

Software applications

Most people are happy with iMovie, Office for Mac etc. I also introduce them to Evernote (free), Mindmanager (site license) and Screenflow (£60 with educational discount). Keynote is a much more stylish alternative to Powerpoint - for some people that matters. We have a license for Endnote Mac, but so far no one has asked me about that.

Cisco Webex (our videoconferencing software) works best on the Safari browser (not Firefox).

Access and NVivo aren't available on the Mac. For some people, that's an issue, and they need to think about it before purchasing one. I have helped a couple of people to use Parallels (one of the ways of running Windows on a Mac) for this reason. Personally, I have a small Windows machine that I can access remotely from the Mac, using the Remote Desktop client that comes with Office 2010.

The new iCloud sync and backup system seems to be causing some confusion and issues with people using older equipment (it currently only works on the latest OSX Lion). That could be a big concern. Most people will hit the 5GB limit right away if they try to replcicate videos and photos onto iCloud. After that they have to pay for extra space.

Otherwise, software on Apple is always delight to use!

Robert O'Toole : 07 Nov 2011 11:29 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem