Many teachers have spent the last few months searching for ways to make teaching remotely easier for them, more engaging for students, and academically effective for all learners. Look no further than a stylus pen, which is a knock-off Apple pencil, to make all these wishes come true!

Here are 10 reasons why you need a stylus pen in your life right now!

Just so you know, we may get a small share of the sales made through the Amazon affiliate links on this page.

1. Perfect for teachers on a budget

You don’t need to spend over $100 on a “real” Apple pencil to enjoy all that a stylus pen has to offer. Here are two great stylus pen options from Amazon that work just as well:

For just under $35, this option comes with a replacement tip and charger.

Stylus Pen Color

For $30, this option comes in a classic navy color!

Note: Check the description of the stylus pens on Amazon as many work for 2018 and later Apple iPads only. You’ll want to check the year of your iPad as well!

2. Makes your handwriting look amazing

Handwriting example

Use a stylus pen on digital whiteboards for neat, precise handwriting!

3. Makes convenient digital answer keys

Simply open the document you’d like to add answers to on your iPad using a PDF app, like PDF Reader, Kami, or Adobe Acrobat. Circle or write incorrect answers, then save the version and upload to Google Classroom, Seesaw, or whichever online platform you’ve been using with students. After completing a review sheet or assigning any independent task, students will be able to check their own answers with the answer key you’ve made digitally.

4. Can be an ideal scalpel for virtual science projects

For a small fee, apps like Froggipedia use augmented reality to simulate dissecting a frog on an iPad. The teacher can simulate science labs by presenting the app screen to Zooms or Google Meets, using the stylus pen as a science tool.

5. Annotates PDFs in different colors for close reading lessons

Annotate with stylus pen

Again, we suggest using Kami for this type of lesson. See this link for help getting started with Kami!

6. Provides freedom to write all over math workbooks

iPad math

Goodbye document cameras! Educators have replaced this method with their stylus pens and iPads.

7. Revolutionizes your whiteboard writing experience

Using this option with your stylus pen allows the teacher to more freely walk around the room rather than being glued to the smartboard. Depending on your district, methods to project your iPad to your smartboard may vary, but it is possible to do so by utilizing a Google Meet between your computer and iPad, presenting your iPad to the Meet. Just make sure your computer is hooked up to your smartboard. If your district uses Apple TVs, the devices should connect automatically.

8. Helps grade student work more efficiently

Students can submit their work on PDFs through Kami or Canvas, which you can annotate using your stylus pen. Work completed on Google Slides or Docs can be opened with Kami in order to do so. Luckily, Kami pairs well with Google Classroom!

9. Opens horizons for more versatile usage of iPad apps

  • Set up your own blank canvas with Pages.
  • Use Nebo for handwritten notes or to draw freely (and much more).
  • Enjoy Flow by Moleskin as you create documents with infinite width.

The list continues! The pen also works well on the Notes app that comes with most iPads.

10. Ultimately, it makes an excellent writing and teaching tool

The stylus pen can truly just be used as a stylus as well. It smoothly navigates iPads to click on apps, type in docs, and swipe through online sites.

Once you have your stylus pen, here’s how to set it up for virtual teaching:

  1. Login to your Zoom or Google Meet from both your computer and your iPad.
  2. Turn the microphone off in the Meet on your iPad. You’ll also need to turn the volume all the way down. These two aspects are key in making sure that you don’t have feedback between the two devices you’re using at once.
  3. Present your screen from your iPad to the Meet. Whatever you do on your iPad with your pen will be seen front and center by your students at home!

Let the magic begin!