When it comes to choosing the right note-taking app for University and School lectures, one of the most important features to look out for is the ability to include not only your lecture slides but also to record audio and have it sync with the notes you take. That way you will be able to re-listen from that part of the lecture where your notes may seem vague and require a more in-depth view.
OneNote: (Windows, MacOS, iPadOS, Android and ChromeOS)
As far as notebook apps are concerned, OneNote is a note-taking powerhouse. It is available for free on Windows, Mac and all other platforms. With OneNote you can record audio of lectures and take notes simultaneously*. Your notes will sync to the audio, this means the text you type syncs with your lecturers voice. By clicking the text you can easily jump to relevant part of the recorded audio. You can add your lecture slides (whether pdf or PowerPoint slides) and your readings within your notebook sections. The user interface is also super-intuitive since it resembles a notebook. For each notebook you create, you can add an unlimited number of sections within it and create as many pages within those sections as you need. This app can keep you super-organized at University, School and at work. If you have a tablet you can use a pen to take handwritten notes instead of using your keyboard. For Windows based 2-in-1’s, the recorded audio will even sync with your handwritten notes.Being available on all platforms (Windows, MacOS, iPadOS, iOS, Android etc.) this can be an invaluable tool to access your lecture recordings and notes anywhere at any time. However, the features vary by platform meaning you wont get all the features in the OneNote app on your phone which may otherwise be available on desktops and tablet computers. The OneNote app is available from the relevant platform’s app store. There are two OneNote apps on Windows: OneNote 2016 and OneNote for Windows from the Microsoft Store.
*this feature is only available on Windows 10 and macOS.
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Notability: (iPadOS, iOS and MacOS)
Notability offers similar features however solely on the Apple platform. Thus you can can record your lectures and sync notes rather easily, especially if you only stay within the Apple ecosystem and don’t feel like bothering with Windows or Android. Furthermore, there is a lack of disparity when it comes to features, so you can get a consistent experience across your Apple devices. The Notability app is available from the Apple App Store.
Apps 4 Students 