Counseling Education

5 Apps For Students That Boost Productivity

You are already carrying around a smartphone or tablet (or both); we’re here to help find the right apps to boost your productivity and make learning easier. Check out these apps, most with free versions, to help you make the most of your time and effort.

Turn your device into a student planner

myHomework Student Planner (https://myhomeworkapp.com/) by Rodrigo Neri is available free for iOS, Kindle, Android, Windows 8 and web, this handy app will make tracking your assignments a breeze and syncs to allow access from all your devices.. Replacing that paper planner you used to lug around, this app reminds you when things are due with a simple, easy-to-use interface. It can also accommodate your class schedule in time, block or period-based formats. It also integrates with Teachers.io, a site instructors can use to organize their materials and share with students.

Record lectures, dictate notes and include drawings or written text

The $4.99 app Audio Note (http://luminantsoftware.com/iphone/audionote.html) from Luminant Software, Inc. (iOS, Mac, Windows and Android) allows you to dictate notes, add written comments, and even insert images. Imagine recording a lecture, then adding a photo of the professor’s whiteboard diagram, along with a diagram or notes of your own for further clarity. You can try before you buy with Audio Note Lite, which provides limited recording time to test out the app.


Create a virtual study group

Jot! Whiteboard (http://tabularasalabs.com) comes in a free version that allows for one canvas at a time, or a $4.99 upgrade that lets you create as many canvases as you like. Use its Live Sharing feature to share your whiteboard with other users over the internet, creating opportunities for collaboration even when you can’t physically meet with your fellow students. You can also use it to take notes or sketch; you can share your whiteboard through email, PDF, or the Photos app. Padgadget posted an excellent overview at http://www.padgadget.com/2011/04/28/jot-a-real-time-collaboration-app-ipad-app-review/.

Brainstorm ideas or plan projects

Popplet (http://popplet.com/), available for iPhone or iPad from Notion, can help you map ideas, plan out your projects with photos and texts, or collect ideas in a local “popplet,” a local version of a pinboard. The free version allows you one board at a time; the $4.99 version gives you the ability to create as many local boards as you like, or to share with others who can edit your Popplet on the web or their iPads.
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Save web articles or sites to read later

Pocket (http://getpocket.com) a free app formerly known as Read It Later, lets you bookmark content on your iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows phone, Blackberry or eBook Reader so that you can return and read it later. Its pleasing interface works to “pocket” almost anything, including web sites, videos, articles and more. Read more at http://www.macstories.net/news/read-it-later-reborn-pocket-saves-everything-for-later/

There are many options out there to turn your smartphone, tablet or eReader into a one-stop productivity booster. Whether you need to dictate notes, draw diagrams, share ideas with others, or simply track your classes and assignments, your device can handle it all for you.

Isaac writes for Richmond, the American University in London. Richmond have a range of popular business subjects courses such as the business admin degree, visit Richmond to learn more.

Image credit:  tuchodi on Flickr