Using Technology for Success

 

USING TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE STUDENT LIFE EASIER

With the current state of the world, education has made a massive shift in relying almost solely on technology for teaching. In addition to video conferencing software, the use of which has likely become a staple of our student’s schooling, there are other technological resources that can further streamline studying and be used throughout their academic careers.

MUST-HAVE TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

We have compiled a list of technological resources that are designed to make your student's academic pursuits more successful. As a complement to traditional learning tools, these resources will save your student time and drive efficiency. Below, we’ve separated our recommended list into hardware in software. When used in combination wisely, the two have the power to streamline the learning process.

Here is our list of recommended hardware:

  • Laptop or Tablet: Your student likely has one or the other, and either will suffice for nearly all academic needs. If you have the resources, a laptop or tablet with touchscreen capabilities can make note-taking and other written work more dynamic.

  • Apple Pencil/ Stylus: If you do opt for the touchscreen route, a stylus is a must-have. Styluses are excellent tools for note-taking, annotating, and completing assignments. Also, since your student is actually writing with the stylus, they get the same memory retention benefits as handwritten notes, with the added bonus of convenient and organized storage of their digital notes.

  • Flash/ External Drive: Flash drives and external drives provide additional storage, which, importantly, can also be used for backing up work. Your student should get in the habit of backing up their school work; losing files unexpectedly can be quite the bummer.

Even if your student only has a laptop, they can still take advantage of many online resources to make studying and academic life easier.

Check out the following online resources:

  • Note-Taking Apps: Taking and storing notes in one organized place is very convenient in that your student can easily refer back to and study them. We recommend programs such as Evernote and Microsoft OneNote.

  • Online Textbooks: Some of your student’s textbooks may be available in online formats, which allow your student to easily copy important text, annotate directly from a tablet, and pack lighter. When you’re purchasing textbooks, you should check to see if a PDF or electronic version is available online, in some cases for free. Check out this list of websites that might help.

  • Online Calendar/ Planners: Some students prefer digital planners over the pen-and-paper alternative. Here are some options: Google Calendar, ZenDay, and My Study Life.

  • Online File Storage: Backing up your work is important. Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox are among the most popular options.

  • Scheduling Software: Doodle and When2Meet are helpful for coordinating schedules for group projects and meetings.

Incorporating some of the aforementioned tools into your student’s study routine can help them improve productivity and better manage their academic responsibilities. The sooner they are able to develop a system that works for them personally, the better.

ONLINE LEARNING TOOLS AND SUPPORT

In addition to the technological tools discussed above, content-based resources may also prove beneficial. Often, these are websites that can be used to improve your student’s understanding of conceptual topics in various subjects.

Here are the top resources to use for improving comprehension in different subjects:

  • Grammarly: You should not rely on technology for paper editing, but putting a final draft through this software can catch mistakes you missed while rereading.

  • Khan Academy: The wealth of knowledge and clearly explained concepts across many subjects makes this site a great resource for clarification and supplemental learning.

  • Wolfram Alpha: This resource is great for math calculations and checking work.

  • Paul’s Online Math Notes: Check this one out for useful lessons, cheat sheets, and practice problems for a range of math concepts.

If your student needs additional help on topics after reading their textbook or following lectures, they can check out these online resources, or even watch Youtube tutorials, for clarification and alternate explanations.

USING TECHNOLOGY WISELY

Although technology can help make the learning process more efficient, relying upon it solely is not advised. Being on the web, for example, can distract your student from the tasks at hand, especially with easy access to social media, for example. Technological resources should be incorporated into your student’s academic routine strategically. While studying, the only considerable amount of time your student spends in front of a computer should be dedicated to online lectures and note-taking.

Designating blocks of time for technology use, as well as time away from screens, is the best way to create a healthy balance. Doing so will help make screen time more efficient, and it will also give your student much needed breaks. We know Zoom fatigue is real; you can read more about it here. Lastly, keep smart phones out of the study area!

 
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