# Overview: Shared Notepad for Classes Module

The **Shared Notepad for Classes** module is a real-time collaborative note-taking tool designed to enhance group or instructor-led discussions during classroom sessions. This module provides a live-editable, web-based interface where multiple users can simultaneously view and edit shared notes in real-time. It is tailored to streamline collaboration, improve note organization, and facilitate effective knowledge sharing during classroom activities.

## Purpose

The primary purpose of the Shared Notepad for Classes module is to provide a centralized platform for creating, editing, and viewing live notes during classroom sessions. It aims to:

- Enable real-time collaboration among students and instructors.
- Capture key points, ideas, and discussions as they happen.
- Provide a persistent repository of session notes for future reference.

## Benefits

The Shared Notepad for Classes module offers several advantages:

1. **Real-Time Collaboration**: Multiple users can edit the same document simultaneously, ensuring everyone stays aligned during discussions or lectures.
2. **Instant Updates**: Changes made by one user are instantly reflected to all other participants, promoting seamless communication and reducing misalignment.
3. **Enhanced Note-Taking Efficiency**: The tool streamlines the process of capturing and organizing ideas, allowing instructors and students to focus on the discussion rather than mechanics.
4. **Persistent Storage**: Notes from each session are saved automatically, providing a permanent record that can be reviewed later by participants or used for further study.
5. **Flexibility**: The module supports various usage scenarios, including group projects, instructor-led lectures, and ad-hoc discussions.

## Usage Scenarios

The Shared Notepad for Classes module is versatile and can be utilized in the following scenarios:

1. **Instructor-Led Lectures**: Instructors can use the notepad to take live notes during a lecture, which students can follow and contribute to in real-time.
2. **Group Collaboration**: Students working on group projects or study sessions can collaborate on shared notes, ensuring everyone contributes equally and stays on track.
3. **Live Discussions**: During class discussions, the notepad can capture key points, arguments, and decisions, serving as a reference for all participants.
4. **Review Sessions**: Notes from past sessions are stored and easily accessible, allowing students and instructors to revisit important information quickly.

## Key Features

- **Real-Time Collaboration**: Simultaneous editing and instant updates ensure everyone is on the same page.
- **Access Control**: Granular permissions can be set to control who can view or edit the notes.
- **Note Organization**: The module supports structured note-taking with headings, bullet points, and formatting options for better organization.
- **Persistence**: Notes are saved automatically and remain accessible even after the session ends.

The Shared Notepad for Classes module is an essential tool for fostering collaboration and improving learning outcomes in a classroom setting. By providing a dynamic, real-time platform for shared note-taking, it empowers both instructors and students to work together effectively, capture key insights, and maintain a comprehensive record of their discussions.

Live-Editable Notes

This feature allows multiple users to edit notes simultaneously in real-time. Changes are reflected immediately across all connected devices, ensuring seamless collaboration during classroom sessions.

Simultaneous Access and Editing

Users can access and edit the shared notepad concurrently. The system handles concurrent edits using version control or save-order resolution to prevent conflicts and ensure data integrity.

Structured Note Organization

Notes are organized into sections, subsections, and tags for better clarity and easy navigation. This structure helps users quickly locate specific information during group discussions or lectures.

User Roles and Permissions

The module supports different user roles (e.g., instructors vs. students) with varying levels of access. Instructors can have full editing rights, while students may only view or comment on notes.

Export Options

Notes can be exported in various formats, including Markdown, PDF, and plain text, allowing users to save and share content outside the shared notepad environment.

Version History

A version history feature tracks changes made to notes over time. Users can revert to previous versions if needed, ensuring data safety and accountability.

Integration with LMS

The shared notepad integrates seamlessly with Learning Management Systems (LMS), enabling easy access for instructors and students within the classroom platform.

Activity Logging

The module logs user activities, such as edits, comments, and exports. This feature aids in monitoring collaboration and troubleshooting issues.

Offline Support

Users can view and edit notes offline, with changes synchronized once an internet connection is restored. This ensures uninterrupted use even in low-connectivity environments.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Notes are accessible across multiple platforms (desktop, tablet, mobile) and devices, ensuring flexibility for users regardless of their preferred hardware.

Real-Time Notifications

Users receive real-time notifications when updates or changes are made to the shared notepad, keeping everyone informed and engaged during discussions.

Backup and Recovery

The module includes automatic backup mechanisms to protect against data loss. Backups can be restored if needed, ensuring long-term data security.

Accessibility Features

The shared notepad supports accessibility features such as screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast modes, making it usable for all students regardless of disabilities.

Shared Notepad for Classes

Overview

This module provides a live-editable note-taking tool designed for classroom use. It allows instructors and students to collaborate on shared notes in real-time during class sessions.

Features

• Real-time updates as soon as changes are made
• Easy-to-use interface for creating, reading, updating, and deleting notes
• Secure authentication system
• History tracking of changes
• Support for rich text formatting

API Reference

Create Note

# FastAPI endpoint example
@app.post("/api/notes")
async def create_note(note: NoteCreate):
    note_db = Note(
        title=note.title,
        content=note.content,
        created_at=datetime.utcnow(),
        last_modified_at=datetime.utcnow()
    )
    db.add(note_db)
    db.commit()
    return note_db

Get All Notes

# FastAPI endpoint example
@app.get("/api/notes")
async def get_all_notes():
    notes = db.query(Note).all()
    return [note.to_dict() for note in notes]

Update Note

# FastAPI endpoint example
@app.put("/api/notes/{note_id}")
async def update_note(note_id: str, note_update: NoteUpdate):
    note = db.query(Note).filter(Note.id == note_id).first()
    if not note:
        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Note not found")
    note.title = note_update.title
    note.content = note_update.content
    note.last_modified_at = datetime.utcnow()
    db.commit()
    return note

Delete Note

# FastAPI endpoint example
@app.delete("/api/notes/{note_id}")
async def delete_note(note_id: str):
    note = db.query(Note).filter(Note.id == note_id).first()
    if not note:
        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Note not found")
    db.delete(note)
    db.commit()
    return {"message": "Note deleted successfully"}

React UI Snippet

import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
import * as WebSocket from 'ws';

const NoteEditor = () => {
  const [notes, setNotes] = useState([]);
  const [newContent, setNewContent] = useState('');

  useEffect(() => {
    const ws = new WebSocket('wss://localhost:8000/ws');
    
    ws.onmessage = (event) => {
      const note = JSON.parse(event.data);
      setNotes(prev => [...prev, note]);
    };

    return () => ws.close();
  }, []);

  const handleSendMessage = () => {
    if (!newContent.trim()) return;
    
    const ws = new WebSocket('wss://localhost:8000/ws');
    const message = { 
      content: newContent,
      timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
    };
    
    ws.send(JSON.stringify(message));
    setNewContent('');
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Shared Notepad</h1>
      <form onSubmit={handleSendMessage}>
        <input
          type="text"
          value={newContent}
          onChange={(e) => setNewContent(e.target.value)}
          placeholder="Type your note here..."
        />
        <button type="submit">Add Note</button>
      </form>
      <div className="notes-container">
        {notes.map((note, index) => (
          <div key={index}>
            <h3>{note.title}</h3>
            <p>{note.content}</p>
            <small>{new Date(note.timestamp).toLocaleString()}</small>
          </div>
        ))}
      </div>
    </div>
  );
};

export default NoteEditor;

Data Schema (Pydantic)

from pydantic import BaseModel
from typing import Optional
import datetime

class Note(BaseModel):
    id: str
    title: str
    content: str
    created_at: datetime.datetime
    last_modified_at: Optional[datetime.datetime] = None

class NoteCreate(BaseModel):
    title: str
    content: str

class NoteUpdate(BaseModel):
    title: Optional[str] = None
    content: Optional[str] = None

WebSocket Path

# FastAPI endpoint example
@app.websocket("/ws")
async def websocket_endpoint(websocket: WebSocket):
    await websocket.accept()
    
    try:
        while True:
            message = await websocket.recv()
            # Broadcast the received message to all connected clients
            await websocket.send(message)
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Client disconnected: {e}")

Example Usage

// Connect to the WebSocket server
const ws = new WebSocket('wss://localhost:8000/ws');

ws.onopen = () => {
  console.log('Connected to websocket server');
};

ws.onmessage = (event) => {
  const note = JSON.parse(event.data);
  console.log('Received note:', note);
};

// Example of sending a message
const newNote = {
  content: "This is a test note",
  timestamp: new Date().toISOString()
};
ws.send(JSON.stringify(newNote));

License

MIT License

Note

This implementation provides the basic functionality for a shared notepad. Depending on your specific needs, you may want to add additional features such as:

• User authentication
• Role-based access control
• History tracking
• Rich text formatting support
• Conflict resolution in real-time editing

Shared Notepad for Classes Technical Documentation

Module Overview

The Shared Notepad module provides a live-editable note tool designed for real-time collaboration among students and instructors during classroom sessions. It allows multiple users to edit notes simultaneously, ensuring that all changes are reflected instantly across devices.

Key Features

• Real-time collaboration with simultaneous editing.
• Version control system for tracking changes.
• Access control based on user roles (student, instructor).
• Integration with third-party tools like Zoom and Google Classroom.
• Offline access with automatic synchronization upon reconnecting.

Related Modules

1. Class Management System: Manages class enrollments, student lists, and attendance tracking.
2. Real-Time Collaboration Engine: Facilitates real-time updates and notifications for shared documents.
3. User Authentication Module: Handles user login and role-based access control.
4. Session Scheduling Tool: Coordinates class schedules and meeting times.
5. Content Repository: Stores and manages educational materials and resources.
6. Notification System: Alerts users about changes or updates in real-time.

Use Cases

1. Instructor-led Discussions: Instructors can type notes during lectures, which students view in real-time.
2. Student Collaboration: Students work together on assignments using the shared notepad.
3. Instructor Creates Pre-Class Notes: Instructors set up initial notes before class starts for student reference.
4. Group Project Coordination: Groups use the tool to plan and organize their projects efficiently.
5. Offline Mode Utilization: Students continue working offline and sync later when online.

Integration Tips

1. Webhooks for External Communication: Use webhooks to notify external systems of updates, enhancing integration with tools like Zoom or Google Classroom.
2. Data Synchronization Strategy: Implement a robust synchronization method to handle reconnections after offline periods without data loss.
3. Conflict Resolution in Real-Time Edits: Develop mechanisms to handle simultaneous edits gracefully to prevent content conflicts.

Configuration Options

Conclusion

The Shared Notepad module enhances classroom collaboration by enabling real-time note editing, making it a valuable tool for both instructors and students. Its integration with other modules ensures seamless functionality within the broader educational software ecosystem.

This documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the Shared Notepad module, including its features, related modules, use cases, integration tips, and configuration options, all presented in a clear and organized manner for developers.