Believe it or not, there are many types of pens. While each may have a special function, another agenda of a pen’s design is to create a fashion statement.
If teacher pens work both as a writing tool and an instrument for learning, have you been wondering which types of pens you need in the classroom, the ink these pens use, and which one should you get?
What are the types of pens you need in the classroom?
In every teacher’s line of work, they often raise the question, “Which pen to use? Sign pen, grading pen, marking pen, fountain pen, gel pen, ballpoint, rollerball?” Wow.
Additionally, writing by hand has several advantages, including taking notes, sketching, painting, and coloring. So, with all the gorgeous pens available nowadays, who can blame instructors for buying every kind of pen they can?
The best teacher pens should make a teacher’s tasks all sorted out, artistic, and appealing. Below, I rounded up the types of pens that you need in the classroom.
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Ballpoint Pens
This is the most common and well-known pen type. These pens use oil-based ink that distributes fast-drying ink as soon as it comes in contact with the paper. Because the ink here is used as a lubricant, one can continue writing as long as the ball rotates notwithstanding pressure.
All teachers use ballpoint pens because they produce neat, consistent writing. The pen is not picky compared to other inks. It is easy to use, has long-lasting refills, and is readily available. Ballpoint pens have a continuous cap that keeps the ink from drying out and increases their dependability.
The ballpoint offers different tip sizes – the medium tip measures about 1.0 mm and the fine tip at about 0.7 mm. With ink rolled into a hard sphere of 0.5–1.2 mm – the tiny rotating ball made of steel disperses ink as you write. Ideal for all-around writing.
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Soft-Grip Pens
Teachers who write a lot often develop calluses on their hands from continuously using writing instruments. The only thing that can put them at rest are pens with a gentle grip. They are in the perfect situation because they write a lot and for a long time at work almost every day.
Effective grasping can ease finger discomfort. Soft-grip pens have a rubber grip, which makes them softer and easier for fingertips to stick to than slick plastic or metal surfaces.
An effective grasp can reduce discomfort in the finger. Unlike slick plastic or metal surfaces, soft-grip pens have a rubber grip that makes them softer and simpler for fingertips to stick to.
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Marker/Felt Pens
Marker pens or felt pens are widely loved by teachers for their special effects like color mixes. They are made with a porous tip with fibrous materials.
In a felt pen, the marking material is fluid allowing for smooth marks compared to those made by dry drawing mediums. Known as the mark-maker, medium-sized ones are ideal for coloring projects while larger types are the favorite for writing on large surfaces like whiteboards, cardboard, and corrugated boxes.
Chisel, cone, or bullet tips are available and write flawlessly on any non-porous surface. How much paint or ink is applied to each mark is totally up to the discretion of the marker pen or felt pen. Teachers can create colorful, bold art projects because it allows the ink to flow freely and produce highly saturated colors.
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Gel Pens
The fantastic pens with color-pigmented inks suspended inside a water-based gel are known as gel pens. It is simpler to see than other pens on dark surfaces since the ink is thick and opaque. Even while the ink generates more precise and controlled color lines, it takes longer to dry.
Gel pens come in bright neon colors that teachers need for vivid writing, drawing, making illustrations, and even for color-coding texts on planners. The pens can be used on smooth and non-absorbent surfaces since they are less likely to bleed through the other side of the paper. If you are fond of coloring books or mandalas, gel pens are wonderful.
Generally, the gel ink tip measures between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm., very much capable of creating a nice sharp edge on the line. If you’re an elementary teacher, you’ll love the range of neon, glitter, metallic, pastel, saturated, blurred, vibrant, shady, shiny, see-through, glow-in-the-dark, and invisible effects of colors in gel pens.
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Multi-functional Pens
There are pens designed with more than one function. A multi-functional pen means one pen with a multi-purpose function to give you a multi-purpose option.
Mechanical pencils, ballpoint pens, felt tip pens, and highlighters are frequently included in multi-purpose pens. Some have an eraser included. These qualities enable you to use a single writing utensil for a variety of tasks. It’s a good thing you found one with a range of colors because you can use that capability to doodle, color in text, and make drawings.
This type may be a bit expensive but with all the functions it offers, would you say no to it if you have the budget?
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Pens for Lefties
Many educators have left hands. They can use any kind of pen, but when their hand goes from the left to the right, the ink has a propensity to smear. Utilizing a pen specifically created with a nib that flows easily when pushed is one way to get an even ink flow.
But there’s good news for left-handers!
This pen contains quick-drying ink. Clearly, it implies that all typical writing surfaces won’t look cluttered for left-handed people. Soft rubber is also used for the grip, allowing for pleasant writing. If you are a leftist, you will appreciate smear-free writing. Some left-handed pens now even have a binder and pocket clips thanks to technology.
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Stylus Pens
With today’s technology learning, stylus pens do help both teachers and students work on devices. They allow for more controlled writing, drawing, or sketching so that the screen will be free of smudges. This pen is a perfect tool to navigate through an iPad, tablet, mobile, and other trackpads.
Did you know that one of the essential classroom equipment for elementary school instructors should be a stylus pen? The stylus is extended and has a tip that is somewhat pointed, similar to a regular ballpoint pen, allowing greater precision while utilizing touch screens. It is made to offer a good grip that is ideal for small hands.
You are lucky if you find pens that are made with a ballpoint tip on one end and a touchscreen stylus on the other end. They may be a bit pricey but worth an investment.
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In Conclusion
The best pen for teachers is one that helps them do their tasks easier, makes bold markings, and allows them to work with convenience while preventing hand injury. The pen design also matters. Other than it helping you solve certain writing tasks, a style that makes you feel good while using it can enhance creative expression.
So, among the list above, which type of pen is your favorite?
