Writing on OneNote

Table of Contents

Highlights

Explanation of the Application

OneNote is one of the applications provided by Microsoft, and it is equipped with the function of a digital notebook. It can be used in class for real-time writing on the board, and for handwriting on imported slides and documents such as PDF, PowerPoint, Word and other supported formats.

In this article, we will mainly introduce how to use a tablet and a stylus to write on the board and documents.

Specifications

How to Install

OneNote can be installed in one of the following ways.

How to Use - Basics

About the Tools

The basic operations of OneNote can be found on the official website.

In the next section, we will briefly introduce the tools needed for board writing and how to use them.

The tool images included in this article are based on the use of OneNote for iOS with an iPad. There may be some differences in the design and functions depending on the device used.

Drawing on a Note

Pen, Highlighter

Pen, highlighter icon

These are the most basic tools used for handwriting. The two types of handwriting tools, the pen and highlighter, can be used just like a real pen or highlighter. You can also change the colour and thickness of the pen and highlighter.

The following images show examples of using the pen and highlighter, and how to change the colour and thickness of the pen/highlighter.

[Using the pen and highlighter]

How to use the pen and highlighter

You can change the thickness and colour of the pen and highlighter by touching the pen icon.

[How to change the colour and thickness]

How to change the colour and thickness
How to change the colour and thickness

Eraser

Eraser Icon

You can erase text and lines drawn with a pen or highlighter. You can use this tool just like a real eraser.

Click on the eraser icon to switch from the pen or highlighter to the eraser. By touching the eraser icon again, you can change the size of the eraser (the area to be erased). You can erase only one stroke by touching the “Stroke” icon.

The following shows how to change the size of the eraser.

[Changing the eraser size]

Switch Eraser Size


Text Mode

Text mode icon

In text mode, you can select any place on the note and type text there using the keyboard. This function is similar to the text box in Word and PowerPoint, which are also Microsoft applications.

You can change the colour, size and other settings of the text entered from the home page.

The following shows a scene of text input and the editing screen.

[Text input]

How the text is input

[The edit screen of the text]

The edit screen of the text


Lasso Selection

Icon of Lasso Selection

You can move, zoom in and out, and copy and paste all the text you have entered or drawn.
These operations can only be applied to the area you want to manipulate.
The following is an example of using the Lasso Selection.

[How to use the Lasso Selection]

Using Lasso Selection How to use the lasso selection


Figure

Shape, Ink to Shape icon

You can draw straight lines, circles and other shapes nicely by using the Shape tool in the drawing.

You can draw straight lines, arrows, circles and others as shown in the following image. After touching the pen, touch the “Shape” button to select a shape, and you can draw the shape in the specified colour.

[Drawing a shape using the shape tool]

How to draw a shape using the shape tool

If you draw a circle or a triangle with “Convert Ink to Shape” selected, it will be perfected in great shape.

[Handwritten shape before conversion]

Handwriting before conversion

[Figure corrected by “Ink to Figure”]

Figure corrected by 'Ink to Figure'


Changing the Paper Design

Page Design

You can change the colour and style of the paper from the View tab (plain by default). If you touch the “Paper colour” or “Paper style” tabs, you can choose between different paper colours and styles.
The following image shows how page design is changed.

[Change paper colour]

Change Paper Color

[Change paper style]

Change Paper Style


Paper Size

Basically, OneNote does not allow page size setup (e.g. customize paper size to A3 or A4). However, as an exception, if you have the desktop version of OneNote installed, you can change the page size.

If you wish to customize page size, installation of the desktop version from official site is required. Please note that the initially installed OneNote for Windows 10 does not support page size setting. Installation of the aforementioned desktop version is necessary to set page size.

In the desktop version, select “Paper Size” from the View tab to set the page size and orientation.

Please refer to the following image for how to set the page size using the desktop version on a Windows PC.

  1. Select the "View" tab. Select View Tab
  2. After selecting the View tab, select "Paper Size". Select the View tab and then select 'Paper size'

Setting up Notebook Sections and Pages

Pages are where you actually write your notes, and Notebook Sections are the categories you use to manage your pages.

A page is the smallest unit. A section is a collection of pages, and a notebook is a collection of sections. Organizing pages in this way makes it easier to manage them.

You can use it in any way you like. The following image provides an example.

[Example of notebook, section and page classification]

Example of Notebook, Section and Page Classification

You can insert various images and files by selecting the desired position and choosing the “Insert” tab.


Image

Image, camera, online image icon

If you select “Image”, you can insert an image saved on your device. You can also use “Online Images” to search images on the Internet and insert them. (Please be aware of copyright infringement.)


Files, PDF

File, PDF icon

From “File”, you can insert not only images and movies but also documents.

You can also insert a PDF file by touching the “PDF” icon. The PDF file will be inserted while the file is open, so you can write on it.

The following image shows how a file is inserted.

[Inserting a PDF file]

Inserting a PDF file

How to insert PDF

When you select the file you want to insert, it will be inserted as shown in the above image.


How to Use in Class

Preparation

Board Writing

By writing on a blank page in real time, you can reproduce the writing on a whiteboard or a blackboard in a face-to-face class on OneNote. In this case, you can basically start from the initial state. If you want to change the thickness of the pen or the style of the paper, you can do so before the class.

Import PowerPoint or PDF Files You Have Prepared in Advance

In OneNote, you can import PowerPoint or PDF files and write on them. To import files, please refer to the procedure described above. The following image shows how to write on a prepared document in class.

[An example of reading and writing on a prepared document]

Create a OneNote Page in Advance

It is possible to create class materials in advance using OneNote. If you have a lot of notes to write on the board, you can write a rough outline before the class to reduce the burden of writing in class. It is also possible to create materials with many illustrations and diagrams by using the tools introduced so far.

Screen Sharing

The easiest way to share your notes with students in real time is to share your OneNote screen in Zoom.

Please refer to ”Screen Sharing” of utelecon on how to screen share via Zoom.

The following image shows the Zoom screen sharing of OneNote.

[Zoom-based screen sharing]

If you are using OneNote with an iPad, you can also use “AirPlay (or other mirroring software)” for screen sharing, although it is not described in detail in this article.

Writing on the Board

Once you have prepared and shared your work, you can actually teach.
You can write on the board freely using the tools we have introduced so far.
Please also refer to the official video.

Distributing Materials

Distributing course materials is very useful in online classes, as it is difficult to see how students are doing.
Here we show you how to distribute materials by sharing a link or as a pdf.

By sharing a link, students can open the OneNote screen from it. Even if the students do not have OneNote installed, they will have no problem opening the link from their browser.

One advantage of this method is that once the link is shared, the students will be able to see the notes and changes made in subsequent lessons without having to share the link each time (although they will still need to be reminded to update). Also, if you share the links before class, students can see the parts that were lost when they cannot keep up with the board.

See the image below for instructions on how to share a link.

[How to send a link]

[Publication scope and editing permissions]

Distributing as PDF

OneNote screens can also be exported and distributed as PDFs.
The advantage of distributing them as PDFs is that they are easier to manage and use, as students are likely to be familiar with them.
You can share or save a PDF by clicking on “Send a copy of the page” in the image below.

[Distribute as PDF]


Examples of Good Practices and Application

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