Paper App Review Discussion
Paper – Designed to replace a pen and a piece of paper, Paper is a drawing application designed to capture your ideas as sketches, diagrams, illustrations, notes or drawings which can all be easily shared across the web.
-
melissaayers
Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
tomwhyte1 8:49 am on October 2, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
App Title: 53paper
Publisher/Developer: Paper by FiftyThree
Version: 1.1.1
Operation Analysis:
I have never used, nor even heard of this application before this week, however after playing around within the application, I found it an interesting way for students to both verbally and visually express themselves regarding any topic they can fit on the provided page (as it functions similar to a journal or note book). As well, 53Paper, provides easy navigation, and assists people with a limited but helpful guide in terms of the applications features. Furthermore, this App, allows a students work to be shared through tumblr, facebook, and twitter, as well if your school has blocked these social media sites it is possible to share though email as well. As well, this App allows an individual to continually add pages to the book, which allows a history of the work to be collected over a significant period of time.
Pedagogical Analysis:
Pedagogically, the ability to allow students to express themselves is a powerful tool within many of today’s classrooms. Unfortunately, if a student has weak fine-motor skills or limited artistic talent, they may become frustrated with this approach and refuse to utilize the App as intended. However, for most students, this approach allows for students to represent their ideas and thoughts in ways that are meaningful to them, sparking higher order thinking, engagement, problem solving and even creativity.
For myself, this App is a blend of art and mind-mapping. Personally, I am not very artistic and would find limited use, however for many students I teacher, I feel this app would allow them a freedom they rarely experience within a traditional classroom.
kstackhouse 5:04 am on October 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
My son loves this app. He makes drawings for us all the time. Similar to the art he brings home from school I can display this art on my iPad. I have one of his drawings as my wallpaper. We only have the free version so the number of brushes is limited but I think it is still a great way to create.
tomwhyte1 10:24 am on October 3, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I found the number of brushes to be disconcerting. Yes I understand, it is an easy way to not only figure out if you like the program, then add functionality as you needed, but a good approach to monetize. However, I found it frustrating…
Thoughts?
kstackhouse 7:12 am on October 4, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
It is exactly what you say. They include one brush and hope you will buy more. I have had the app for a few months. I was kind of hoping that they would release another brush for free. My fingers are still crossed. My son plays with this app all the time. He asked me the first time about the brush, I told him that we weren’t buying more and he was fine with it. He has been working with the “materials” that were provided with the first installation.
It is interesting though that he has his sketch book there and my daughter can also have her own separate one. That is one feature that I like. You can have multiple journals and multiple pages within each one.
Kent Jamieson 12:13 pm on October 4, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Ken, if you do upgrade there is a fantastic ‘watercolor’ brush that really makes the artwork look amazing. We have an iTunes account between a few teachers and we often share costs. I tend to use the free brush and the watercolor, so if they do open it up to buying individual brushes…that is definately the one to get next.
Jonathan 7:45 pm on October 4, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Ken —
I always remember being really stingy about paying for upgrades but I will say this.. for 53 Papers — it’s worth it. It’s one that I don’t regret at all. I don’t spend enough time in this app and I am no artist, but this app sure does make me feel like one. Maybe buy your son the pack for his birthday or Christmas :).
Eva Ziemsen 6:38 am on October 4, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
It’s interesting, because I also found this application frustrating. Either I was not using it properly, but for some reason I only had ONE brush to work with. Does one need to buy more brushes? I also thought this app would be great for brainstorming and keeping records of my ideas, but after playing around with it for a few days on my ipad, I gave up on it. I think it is very ‘good looking’ for an app, and the products that others seem to make with it are very beautiful, but I did not find it intuitive. It reminded me a bit of a digital scrapbook, which I would use in a heartbeat, if only I could use it with greater ease. Are there tutorials to use it?
kstackhouse 7:09 am on October 4, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I’m not sure if there are tutorials or not. I let my son use it for a few days. He then gave me the tutorial. I think you are right, it is a great doodle scrapbook. That is how we have been using it. I wouldn’t use it for taking notes, or brainstorming but just a place to draw and be creative. Thanks for your feedback.
Kent Jamieson 12:18 pm on October 4, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Eva, you should be able to upgrade by simply pressing on the other brushes. It should direct you to the app store for purchase. It is a costly 6.99. However, by importing pics into an app like Keynote i’ve made some pretty cool slideshows. I’d recommend using a Stylus as well.
Jonathan 7:46 pm on October 4, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Eva —
Start off by using it as a doodling app. In my classroom, I use it to draw diagrams. Whether it is Science, Math, or Socials Studies — I always manage to use this instead of drawing on my whiteboard. It just looks nice and my students are always enamoured with it. The map packs as Kent mentions are pricey — but it’s well worth it. Everything is very doable.
visramn 4:21 pm on October 6, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I had never heard of this tool. I think it has a lot of potential for students of all ages and for students with special needs. It is a great way to jot down thought or even draw visuals of a person’s thought process.
Nureen