Simplenote - Simple Synching

App Title:  Simplenote

Grade Level:  This one's primarily for the teachers. But could be used as a writing tool at any level

Purpose:  A

Program Functionality:  A

Overall Educational Value:  A

Cost:  $ - Free, (ad supported, one ad at the top of your list of notes, I rarely even see it) Also you can purchase a pro account for $9.00 a year(gets rid of the ads and give a few more features). I don't see this as necessary in any way though. Simplenote is a Univeral App so the same download gives you the iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad versions.

Recommendation:  I did a pretty awful demo of this app at the Bird of a Feather session, so I want to make sure I give Simplenote its proper due. Simplenote is one of my go to apps. I use it everyday for a variety of reasons. As the title infers Simplenote is just that, simple. The app itself is a one trick pony. It allows you to create plain text notes. Wow, you say, isnt' there a ton of note taking apps out there, and pretty dynamic ones. Yes there are, but again the key to this one is simple. Even at that the simplicity moves beyond the app because when you download and start using the app you create an account at Simplenote.com. Now what ever text you put into a note in Simplenote gets synched to your Simplenote account and you can access it from any computer. But wait, that's not all, Simplenote also syncs with several desktop apps on a Mac or PC. The one I use is Notational Velocity which is a free open source note taking app. You simply point the desktop app to your Simplenote.com account. So whatever I  put into Simplenote is available 3 places, in the app, in the cloud, and on the desktop.

Also wherever you access your notes they are fully searchable. you can perform a search and easily find notes or information within any note. This search works in all 3 places. 

Again, simple says it all, Simplenote and Notational Velocity do text only, but they do it very well. There are more robust apps like Evernote and the like, but for quick, easy, and yes simple, Simplenote is generally the first arrow I pull out of my quiver when I need to jot down a few ideas or take notes in a meeting.

Classroom Use Examples/Ideas: A great tool for teachers to walk around the room and take observation notes on students. A quick and easy way to file ideas. For student use, you can tie more than one device to a Simplenote account. So if you had a classroom set of devices, you tie Simplenote on each of the devices to the same account. Now a teacher could pose a writing prompt and have the students record their responses in Simplenote. The teacher and all of the other students would have access to the responses which would be great for peer editing or review. For a quick writing tool, I don't think Simplenote can be beat. The sync options however turn it into a true powerhouse.

Developer Website:  www.simplenote.com
iTunes Link:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/simplenote/id289429962?mt=8

Reviewer Name:  Kelly Dumont

Reviewer Blog:  http://www.theeducationalmac.com

Other: Don’t forget to check out our Ning (Online Community) devoted to helping teachers utilize these devices to the their fullest.  Please leave a comment if you agree, disagree, or have other creative uses for this app in the classroom, etc.