Visual Thinking + No paper + easy to add and share = WINNING

Paper 53 allows students that are visual learners to take notes and highlight important facts with illustrations(a digital interactive notebook...some students also have real, physical interactive notebooks in some classes, too) This app also gives slower students "wings" to create ideas, visually, more quickly. Paper 53 also allows students to save and share work and it is a great tool for them to revisit to appreciate their own growth! By giving them a variety of virtual tools and colors, their planning becomes more detailed, and as a bonus, more fun!

Overall, Paper 53 is one of my favorite apps for note taking. I really like this app for delivering information to students in artistic ways. Concept maps in Paper 53 look like they are on artistic steroids! This makes information more engaging for students. If you can invest in the in-app purchases and/or the Pencil, this app becomes a gateway to creativity through the use of digital art and creativity. That being said, investment could get expensive, so I recommend trying it as a teacher first, then bringing it to the student level. I do wish that more of the paid functions were free for educational use. If you do get the Pencil, all the paid tools are free.

I have installed this app on all 200 iPads in our building. Teachers no longer need dry erase boards, markers, and socks to wipe their slates clean. Now it's all done electronically and serves the exact same purpose, with a 21st century twist. The ease of use and simply interface makes this a winner and kids LOVE IT!!