10 of the best apps for higher education


As iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches become more integrated in classrooms, educators and students are looking for new ways to apply them for teaching and learning. There are many applications on all of these devices that can help automate current classroom processes or present new ways to learn that previously had been unexplored.

In this special feature, we’ve assembled a list of education “apps” for Apple devices that we think are noteworthy for higher education. The majority are free, while the others range in price from $0.99 to $9.99. What do you think of these apps? And, which education apps for Apple devices are you using now that aren’t on our list? Share your thoughts in the comments section of this story.

Name: myHomework
Best for: Students and instructors who need a better way to organize assignments
Cost: Free
Features: Separate sections for each class, a notebook design, and an easy-to-read schedule. Upcoming assignments are marked in blue, those with approaching due dates are marked in orange, and those past due appear in red.
How to Use: Enter class schedules and homework assignments, and myHomework will alert you to any upcoming due dates or tests.

Name: Inkling
Best for: Anyone looking to cut down on their textbook load
Cost: Free
Features: A platform for interactive textbooks, Inkling allows you to purchase a book digitally or just the chapter you need. It integrates media into every title and creates interactive quizzes to gauge understanding of the text.
How to Use: Jump to the page number you are looking for, search for a specific phrase, or share notes on specific passages with students or classmates.

Name: Wi-Fi Finder
Best for: Anyone having trouble connecting on campus
Cost: Free
Features: Using the GPS on your device, the finder will let you know what hotspots are nearby, filtering by type of connection and location type.
How to Use: Select the kind of Wi-Fi you’re looking for, and the finder will tell you where to go to connect.

Name: iHourglass
Best for: Professors administering tests or students preparing for graduate exams
Cost: Free
Features: Seven different hourglass styles, quick reset, and adjustable time intervals
How to Use: Pick the length of time needed, flip over your device, and the sand trickles down. Select either a buzzer or a sound alarm to alert you when the time has finished.

Name: MyPocketProf
Best for: Students who learn best when sharing information
Cost: Free
Features: Get instant updates from friends who can share notes with you; create online courses and test questions.
How to Use: Sync your course notes, find a study partner, or collaborate on a study guide.

Name: Sparky
Best for: English Literature students, or professors looking to brush up on the classics
Cost: Free
Features: All the literary resources of SparkNotes.com
How to Use: Get easy facts, plot analysis, and summaries to help study for exams.

Name: JotNot Pro
Best for: Professors looking to distribute documents digitally, or students who want to make sure they don’t lose handouts
Cost: $0.99
Features: JotNot acts as a portable scanner, and it allows faxing for $0.99 a page in case you forgot an important assignment.
How to Use: Take pictures of documents and select the area you want saved. JotNot enhances the image and saves it, helping to darken faint text or fix contrast.

Name: GoodReader
Best for: Students looking for a new way to take notes
Cost: $2.99
Features: The ability to personalize the learning process by highlighting, sketching, or adding footnotes

How to Use: Annotate PDFs, adding your own sticky notes or freehand drawings.

Name: Attendance
Best for: Professors looking for a better way to tally class turnout
Cost: $4.99
Features: Import class lists through files or address books, or enter them by hand.
How to Use: Import photos of students to help learn names during a semester packed with courses.

Name: MindJet
Best for: Those prepping for major projects or papers
Cost: $7.99
Features: MindJet helps create mind maps; its interface allows for easy mapping whenever inspiration strikes.
How to Use: Create outlines with different topic shapes or colors, attach notes to topics, or arrange topics based on common themes before sharing them with others.

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