A significant number of  learners in classrooms everywhere struggle with written output. Using pen or pencil on paper will never work well for them. Many of these learners do much better when they have opportunity to use a keyboard and word processor. Unfortunately, access to computers is limited in many classrooms. Another difficulty is that individuals who struggle with learning challenges often feel that using a computer, when classmates are not doing so, draws attention to their “problem”. I have met too many learners who would rather “fail” than draw added attention to their plight.

The good news is that some learners who are reluctant to use a laptop or desktop computer are willing to “write” with a less conspicuous handheld device such as an iPad. So, today I’m writing about an app that works well for enabling learners to complete worksheets and to take tests on an iPad. There is a free version, which is extremely valuable for trial purposes. For anyone who really needs it, it’s probably worth paying $3.99 for the ad-free version. (There is also a Pro version for $9.99, and it’s not required.)

As the name of the app implies, Type On PDF creates text boxes so the user can type right on any pdf. This makes it easy to fill in the blanks on a pdf version of a test or worksheet. A drawing tool enables the user to circle or underline answers, or even to draw an arrow to point at a selected object on the page. I’ve illustrated some of the possibilities in the image below.

There are multiple options for converting any worksheet or test into pdf format–with a camera or scanner, by saving as pdf in another program such as MS Word or OpenOffice Writer, etc.

There are also multiple ways of opening a pdf file into Type on PDF. From my perspective, the best way is to use Dropbox. Among other available options, you can open a pdf email attachment into Type on PDF, import a photo of a page, or use a scanning app. It isn’t difficult to learn to use this app, and the developers have provided some helpful video tutorials.

Once a worksheet or test has been completed, it can be sent from the iPad via email or printed if an AirPrint printer has been set up.

You can do considerably more with this app than I have mentioned, especially with its ‘image tools’, but I’m just concerned here with presenting a viable option for completing worksheets and tests on the iPad. The app is also available for the iPhone or iPod Touch, so despite the smaller size this can also be considered.

[Note: For ordinary written work, there are numerous free and low cost apps available for the iPad. I wrote recently about Nebulous Notes. I highlighted the ways that this text-editor works well for individuals with low vision.  Nebulous Notes is a low cost text editor that could work well for any writer using an iPad.]