Distance learning has become the new standard. As a student, adjusting to this new environment can be challenging. How do you stay organized, collaborate with classmates, and turn in assignments on time when you're not in the classroom? Technology can provide invaluable help. With the right apps and digital tools, you can create effective workspaces and routines that set you up for remote learning success. This blog post explores seven essential apps every digital student needs. These apps will be beneficial to you and many other distance learners.
Let's start!
Seven planning apps to keep track of it all.
When every "classroom" is digital, keeping track of where and when you need to go can become confusing. Scheduling apps act like personal assistants, managing your calendar so you don't have to.
Let's read these seven apps in detail one by one.
Zoom virtual class time.
Have you heard of Zoom? This free video chat platform exploded during the coronavirus and is used by millions of students and teachers daily. It's the perfect virtual classroom to make online classes feel like an authentic experience.
You will remain participating if you meet the following criteria:
●Meet your teachers and classmates in person.
●Ask questions and chat during class.
●Show off your skills with screen sharing.
Real-time conversations make a big difference. You will no longer feel alone behind the screen! So, use Zoom to make virtual lectures something to look forward to.
Stay organized with Evernote.
How about keeping track of all your class assignments, reminders, and notes? This is where Evernote comes in handy! This free organizer app is like an endless digital folder. You can store all files safely without losing documents or notes scattered everywhere. You can also access it from any device at any time.
Some great ways students use Evernote:
●Upload course schedules, worksheets, reading materials, etc.
●Record audio notes and highlights from the textbook.
●Save photos of whiteboard lessons and diagrams
●Set deadline notifications.
Having all your materials in one place will make studying at home much easier. You'll no longer have to panic about losing notes or forgetting assignments. Say goodbye to paperwork, too!
Self-Assessment Quizlet
Now, look at one of your favorite student quizzes! If you've never used their website or app, it is time to start. Master any topic with digital flashcards, quizzes, game modes, and more.
Some incredible ways Quizlet can improve your skills:
●Create custom flashcards for key terms.
●Use the "Learning" mode for scheduled drilling.
●Share the deck with friends and learn together.
Quizlet makes learning feel like a game instead of boring memorization. You can also track your progress as you expand your knowledge. They don't know how their students can survive without them!
Flipgrid for video discussions
If you miss the two-way conversation in class, say hello to Flipgrid. This free app allows teachers to create "grids" of discussion topics where students can post video responses.
This is great for remote learning because you can:
●Discuss ideas rather than comment.
●Show your personality and get to know your colleagues.
●Build each other's opinions in fun video threads.
They like using Flipgrid to be more social in their online courses. Everything becomes more personal when you hear your classmates' voices and see their faces. It's the closest thing to an actual group conversation!
Focus on avoiding distractions.
So, how do you stay focused while homeschooling with so many distractions? This is a big issue for students adjusting to distance learning. This web and mobile app help you focus by guiding you through timed, focused work sessions.
Check out these features:
●Set the focus timer to achieve interference-free continuous shooting.
●Allow short, regular breaks between classes
●Track productivity and time spent fussing.
Use Focus Keeper to prevent you from constantly looking at your phone or straying off task without being noticed. When it's time to work or take a break, update your notifications. Seeing your focus patterns is very motivating!
Scanner Pro for job submission
Your notes are organized, and you can stay on task. But how do you submit artwork, math problems, essays, etc.? Unlike your phone's basic document scanner, this app gives you advanced tools to send perfect scans to your teachers.
See what you can do:
●Improve contrast and lighting.
●Reduce glare, shadows, and distortion.
●Export ultra-clear JPEG and PDF
●Securely upload scanned documents to the cloud platform
With Scanner Pro, you don't have to worry about formatting correctly or submitting jobs from your bedroom. This makes your work look super professional, which is crucial to successful distance learning!
Forest to prevent phone addiction.
Finally, an app that curbs smartphone addiction can hinder your studies! Text messages, social media notifications, YouTube videos, etc., are hard to ignore. This is why students love forests. This unique app improves concentration through gamification. If you try to leave the forest before the time is up, your sapling will die!
Here's why students can't get enough:
●Turn attention into a game.
●Stop mindlessly scrolling.
●Watch your digital tree grow over time.
●Compete with friends for the best forest.
Pursuing the little forest, you've planted will inspire you to avoid tempting distractions. Now, you'll barely think about your phone when you need to focus!
Become an online learning rock star!
While early growth difficulties are to be expected, selecting applications intentionally creates routines and systems conducive to distance learning success. With coverage of organization, collaboration, storage, and communication, you can thrive as a digital student. You are committed to using technology to do good. Let these apps provide structure and clarity to your daily life. Before you know it, distance learning will become familiar, and you'll be a capable student!
