Microsoft OneNote is a software package for free-form information gathering, and multi-user collaboration. Part of MS Office 2007, the interface metaphor underlying OneNote is that of an electronic version of the familiar tabbed three-ring binder which can be used directly for making notes, but also to gather "pages" printed or sent from other applications. Pages can be moved inside the binder, annotated at will by use of electronic ink, word-processing or drawing tools, and can contain embedded multimedia recordings and web links. As a container and repository of information gleaned from a variety of sources, a OneNote notebook is well suited for organizing information for a course or a research project.
One of OneNote's salient innovations is the integration of search features and indexing into a freeform graphics and audio repository. Images (eg. screen captures, embedded document scans or even photographs) can be searched for embedded text content. Electronic ink annotations can also be searched as text. Audio recordings can also be searched phonetically by giving a text key, and can be replayed concurrently with the notes taken during the recording. However, many people have recognised its use as a general note-taking platform and it is widely used in education by both students and teachers (adapted from Wikipedia article).
Watch an overview of OneNote (with links to more videos and resources). One nifty use of OneNote is to quickly take screen shots and paste them as images into any application (see how here).
Lynda.com Training Course (available in T&LC collection in the library)
David Rivers shows how to use OneNote notebooks to store, edit, and share files from different applications that
pertain to one subject. He demonstrates how to create new notes, organize notebook content, and even connect this
information with tasks, contacts, and meetings in Outlook. Exercise files accompany the course.
View a course overview and the first couple of videos
before borrowing the course on CD-Rom from the library.
Useful links
Some more uses of OneNote
Previous Software Applications of the Month
March - Google Docs
A suite of free online software applications including word-processing, spreadsheet, presentation and survey applications, with educational applications including supporting students working in teams
February - Outlook 2007: How to Use Voting Buttons in a Message (2 page PDF document)
When sending an email, you can use the Voting Buttons to get responses from a group of colleagues to see what the majority of them are leaning towards
December - iTunes U
iTunes, and particulary iTunes U, is a great source of audio and video educational podcasts.
November - Audacity
Create and edit audio podcasts with this easy-to-use free software.
October - Eclipse Crossword
Easy to use free software that allows you to easily create professional looking crosswords,
both as images for printing or as online interactive crossword puzzles.