OneNote - Microsoft
What is Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote Class Notebook is a digital notebook framework designed specifically for education. It provides a centralized digital environment divided into three main spaces: a Content Library where instructors share read-only materials, a Collaboration Space where instructors and students can work together, and individual Student Notebooks private to each student and the instructor.
What is the purpose of Microsoft OneNote
The purpose of OneNote Class Notebook is to streamline course organization, reading management, and content distribution. It allows instructors to design structured syllabus modules, curate weekly reading packages with direct annotations, and provide guided lecture notes in a single, searchable digital binder rather than managing multiple loose PDFs or web links.
How to use Microsoft OneNote
Instructors can set up a Class Notebook directly within Microsoft Teams or via the online OneNote app. Pages can be populated with typed text, hand-written ink notes, audio clips, embedded videos, and attached documents or PDF printouts. Instructors can organize content into customized section tabs (e.g., "Week 1 - Readings," "Syllabus & Schedule") and distribute pages directly to all student notebooks with a single click.
Where to find Support
This tool is centrally supported
Support
For help, you can contact the WTS Helpdesk
Documentation
Additional information on Microsoft OneNote can be found on the OneNote Help Center
Tool Evaluation
Functionality
| Rating | Rationale |
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ScaleThe tool can scaled to accommodate any size class but lacks flexibility to create smaller sub-groups or communities of practice. Notebooks for an entire large class may be overwhelming or chaotic. |
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Ease of UseThe tool has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and personalize |
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Tech Support/Help AvailabilityIn-person or email based technical support is readily available and aids users in troubleshooting tasks or solving problems experienced |
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HypermedialityThe tool allows users to communicate through different channels (audio, visual, textual) and allows for non-sequential, flexible/adaptive engagement with material |
Accessibility
| Rating | Rationale |
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AODA FriendlyThe tool fully supports compliance with AODA standards for accessibility (W3 WAI), and makes it easy for materials to be made AODA-friendly. See information on OneNote Accessibility |
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User-focused participationThe tool is designed to address the needs of diverse users, their various literacies, and capabilities, thereby widening opportunities for participation in learning |
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Required EquipmentProper use of the tool does not require equipment other than a computer and access to the internet |
Technical
| Rating | Rationale |
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OWL IntegrationThe tool can only be offered in OWL through a link or static representations of the tool (i.e. PDF), rather than a functional version of the tool itself |
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Operating SystemsThe application is available for Windows and MacOS on the desktop, as well as through a web application and mobile apps. |
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Web BrowserUsers can effectively utilize the tool with any standard, up-to-date web browser (i.e. Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer 10 etc.) |
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Additional Tech RequirementsUsers can effectively utilize the tool without any browser extensions or downloaded software |
Mobile Design
| Rating | Rationale |
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Mobile Operating SystemsThe tool is fully functional with a range of electronic mobile devices (laptops, tablets, touchscreens, mobile devices, etc.). There are mobile applications for android, iOS and windows phone. |
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Mobile FunctionalityThere is little to no functional difference between the mobile app and the main tool |
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Offline AccessThe platform can be used offline but tools and content are affected. For instance, for real time collaboration, the users must be connected to the internet |
Usage and Account Set Up
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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Sign Up/Sign InWestern Facutly, Students and Staff can use their Western account to access Microsoft OneNote. All users (instructors and students) must create an external account or additional login, and/or personal information is collected and shared |
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Cost of UseWhile normally there would be a licencing fee to access Microsoft OneNote, the tool is includeded in our Microsoft 365 Licence and all aspects of the tool can be used free of charge for Western Users |
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Archiving, Saving, and Exporting DataUsers can archive, save, or import and export content or activity data in a variety of formats |
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Data Privacy and OwnershipUsers maintain ownership and copyright of their intellectual property/data; the user can keep data private and decide if/how data is to be shared |
Social Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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CollaborationThe tool has the capacity to support a community of learning through both asynchronous and synchronous opportunities for communication, interactivity, and transfer of meaning between users |
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User AccountabilityInstructors cannot control student anonymity but the tool provides some solution for holding students accountable for their actions |
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DiffusionStudent familiarity with the tool is likely mixed, some will lack basic technical competence with its functions |
Instructor Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
|---|---|
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FacilitationThe tool has limited functionality to effectively support an instructor’s ability to be present with students via active management, monitoring, and engagement |
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CustomizationLimited aspects of the tool can be customized to suit the classroom context and learning outcomes |
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Learning AnalyticsAs a note-taking tool, Microsoft OneNote is not intended to support the collection of learning analytics |
Cognitive Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s)The tool enhances engagement in targeted cognitive task(s) that were once overly complex or inconceivable through other means. For example, embedding video in paper notes is not possible |
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Higher Order ThinkingUse of the tool easily facilitates students to exercise higher order thinking skills (given consideration to design, facilitation, and direction from instructor) |
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Feedback on LearningThrough the tool, students can regularly receive formative feedback on learning (i.e. they can track their performance, monitor their improvement, test their knowledge, etc.) |
Security and Privacy
This tool has been formally reviewed by Western’s Technology Risk Assessment Committee
Security and Privacy Flags
Information Collection
- Application collects information that could identify the user specifically (email address, class schedule, etc..)
EULA
- Application's Terms of Conditions or End User License Agreement poses a risk of binding the institution to an agreement thereby requiring legal counsel to review the application. However, this is mitigated as it has undergone legal review during the Technology Risk Assessment process.
Last Updated: August 13, 2026
Rubric
The eLearning Toolkit Evaluations are made available under the terms of the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence
Topic at a Glance
Microsoft OneNote is a collaborative notebook software in which students can create structured sections with freeform notes inside. These notebooks can be shared with others and worked on together.
