Alarm clocks, calculators, dictionaries, notepads… Organizing the new school year, planning studies, homework, and free time is easier if you have some student apps for back-to-school.
In a few weeks, eight million preschool, primary, and special education students will return to classrooms, followed by high school and baccalaureate students. Meanwhile, vocational training and university students will also soon begin their school year.
For weeks now, thousands of parents have been preparing to equip their children. But have you thought about technological tools? If you’ve forgotten, now is the time to review the catalog of useful tools and apps to make the return to school easier. Here are the ones we’ve analyzed, in alphabetical order:
Elementary School: Apps for Back-to-School
iCuadernos Rubio
The traditional paper Rubio Notebooks are available for Android and iOS. Their intuitive and easy-to-use system offers a different way of learning and playing at the same time, through three different collections: operations, problems, and preschool. Sums, subtractions, calculations, real-life problems with math, drawings for coloring, motor and intellectual development…
In each virtual notebook of this app for students, users can solve more than 20 levels, unlock secret operations, learn on their own and correct exercises with the support of the owl-tutor, as well as change the language at any time by choosing Spanish, English or Catalan.
Khan Academy
The Khan Academy is an international academic institution that offers free courses for students of all ages, from preschool to university, to learn practical and simple skills in scientific subjects, especially in the field of mathematics. It has an app for iOS and Android.
Lingokids
Lingokids is an app for children aged 2 to 8 to learn English through the playlearning method: “learning by playing”. Within this app, children can access educational activities, games, videos or songs, which will help them develop their English level and learn through games. Lingokids has a free access option that allows three games a day and another for €14.99 per month with unlimited access.
Also, the Lingokids English learning service is certified by Oxford University Press. Its main premise is that children should view studying as a game and not an obligation.
This app was created in 2016 by Cristóbal Viedma as a tool offering specialized English courses for children. A year after its launch, they managed to reach a million users worldwide and are now looking to position themselves as a leading application in teaching this language and many other disciplines.
Lingokids also has a popular YouTube channel, where they share educational content that has become extremely popular. Like this one, which has exceeded 150 million views.
Math Board
This tool can be customized to suit your child’s age and math level. It is primarily targeted at school-age children who are beginning with basic calculations (addition and subtraction) and gradually progress to improve their learning (multiplication and division).
The interface mimics a traditional chalkboard, with an option for freehand sketches to take a break from calculations. The app explains all the exercises step by step and includes all the multiplication tables to review if necessary. It is available for iOS for €5.99. There is a similar version for Android devices: Math Practice Boards.
Smartick
Created in Spain, Smartick is a method for learning mathematics and reading that promises to help children aged 4 to 14 with their skills in these fields with just 15 minutes a day across different devices. It uses artificial intelligence to adapt content to each child’s profile. As its CEO Javier Arroyo explained in an interview, “Whatever the child’s ability, with Smartick you ensure that they learn the most in a comfortable and enjoyable way. It has great adaptability, identifying the areas the student excels in and their shortcomings, allowing you to draw an accurate map of what needs to be worked on and a tailor-made study plan”.
The price of Smartick is 44 euros per month per child and offers a free trial for 7 days.
Ta-tum
This app, developed by Edelvives, seeks to gamify reading, to encourage students to delve into the world of books. It has a version for Android and iOS, and interactive content in Spanish, Galician, Catalan, Basque, and Valencian.
How it works
This app developed by Learny Land for children over 5 years old is available for both Android and iOS. Thanks to this educational application, students will learn how the planet they live on works through games, animations, or short explanations that will help them understand what happens in the water cycle, how an earthquake occurs, and many more natural phenomena.
All animations and texts are narrated for those who are not yet readers, thus improving the experience within the application.
Playkids
This platform, for children aged 0 to 6, opens up a wide range of learning possibilities. It’s available for Android and iOS, and can be downloaded for free, although some activities are only available if you subscribe to the platform. It is available including programming, design, drawing, writing, marketing, health and fitness, etc. Its goal is to help professionals develop new skills or improve existing ones. Courses are not accredited by any institution, so they cannot be used for college or continuing education units. Prices for courses vary, but Udemy regularly offers sales and discounts. The platform is available on iOS and Android.
Wolfram Alpha
Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine or answer engine developed by Wolfram Research. It is an online service that answers factual queries directly by computing the answer from externally sourced “curated data”, rather than providing a list of documents or web pages that might contain the answer as a search engine would. Available for iOS and Android, it’s especially useful for math and science queries.
University students: Consider this additional equipment
In addition to the apps and tools described above, it might be useful to consider other resources such as a good laptop, a printer, and a good set of headphones.
For example, the MacBook Pro with the M1 chip is a high-performing laptop ideal for university students. It’s a robust, long-lasting machine with a fantastic Retina display and excellent performance, particularly for complex tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming.
For printing needs, you could consider the HP ENVY Pro 6420. It offers wireless printing, scanning, and photocopying, and also has an automatic document feeder. This printer is also compatible with the HP Smart app, which allows you to print and scan from your phone or tablet.
If you study in a noisy environment, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones can be a lifesaver. The Sony WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones offer industry-leading noise cancellation, premium sound quality, and a comfortable fit for long study sessions. They also have a feature that optimizes the sound for different atmospheric pressures (a great feature for when you’re studying on an airplane or at high altitudes), and Speak-to-Chat technology that automatically pauses the music when you start a conversation.
Always remember that the primary goal is to learn and develop new skills. The tools and resources are there to facilitate your journey. Choose the ones that work best for you and make the most out of them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tools and Apps for Students.
1. Q: Is online learning as effective as traditional classroom learning?
A: This depends on the individual’s learning style, the quality of the online course, and the dedication of the student. Some people may find they learn better in a traditional classroom environment, while others thrive in online settings. Generally, high-quality online courses can be just as effective as traditional classroom learning. They offer flexibility and allow learners to go at their own pace, which can be beneficial for many students.
2. Q: Do employers respect online degrees or certifications?
A: As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, more and more employers are respecting online degrees and certifications. However, it largely depends on the reputation of the institution that has provided the degree or certification. Always make sure to enroll in courses and programs from respected and accredited online platforms or universities.
3. Q: What is the benefit of noise-canceling headphones for studying?
A: Noise-canceling headphones can greatly improve concentration by blocking out ambient noise. This is especially useful for studying in noisy environments, such as public transport, cafes, or busy households. They can also improve audio quality during online lessons or when watching educational videos.
4. Q: Are the apps like Khan Academy and Coursera free?
A: Khan Academy is completely free – it’s a non-profit organization with the mission of providing a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. Coursera, on the other hand, offers many free courses, but certain professional certificate programs and degrees have tuition fees. However, financial aid is available for those who qualify.
5. Q: How does Wolfram Alpha differ from a search engine like Google?
A: While both can be used to find information, they function in different ways. Google is a search engine that provides a list of web pages that might contain the answer to your query. In contrast, Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine that computes answers to factual queries directly from curated data. This makes it particularly useful for mathematical and scientific queries, as it can perform calculations and provide definitive answers.