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10 Apple and Android apps to boost student engagement


These 10 Apple and Android apps can help keep students engaged, and save educators time.

appleIncorporating apps into online learning can keep students motivated and give them easy access to course material and notes. Here are 10 presentation apps that offer educators a way to keep students interested.

1. My Class Schedule, Android, Free

Organization is key for this app. It notifies users of all classes, assignments, and quizzes. You have the option to receive reminders for upcoming tests and unfinished assignments. The app can help keep track of grades and provides an average grade overview. There is an option to sync between android devices. Users can input unlimited courses with the free version, but the paid version ($1.99) offers cloud backup.

2. Complete Class Organizer, iPad, $4.99

This app is designed to hold all of your class information right on your iPad. It replaces a notepad, voice recorder, planner, and calculator. A useful feature for courses with a lot of lecture material is the ability to synchronize written notes with audio lecture recordings. This way students will never miss important information. Users can import PDFs and PowerPoint presentations, and integrate with Google Docs and Dropbox. Ensure you never lose your information by backing up content over the iCloud or USB.

3. EduPort, Android, Free

Access multimedia content through EduPort. With lectures from leading YouTube channels, this app provides a platform for supplemental learning through video. The app works like a YouTube playlist, allowing you to add your favorite lectures to a collection for quick access. Videos may be downloaded for offline viewing. Some popular channels are TED Talks, UC Berkeley, and Khan University.4. GoodReader, iPad, $4.99

Handle large files with ease. Access PDF files, maps, movies, and books with the option to modify them using sticky notes, text boxes, and drawings. GoodReader works with numerous file types including .doc, .ppt, iWork 2008 and 2009, images, audio, and video. Organize files in folders based on your preference. Sync with Dropbox, SkyDrive, or transfer to USB. Zoom up to 50x.

5. Numbers, iPhone and iPad, $9.99

Educators can keep track of attendance and grades using this extensive spreadsheet app. The app includes over 30 templates and 250 functions. Sync files using iCloud, and import Microsoft Excel and CSV files. Export spreadsheets in PDF, CSV, or Excel formats. Share files using Mail, Facebook, Twitter, or Messages. Print from AirPrint.

6. Zotpad for Zotero, iPhone and iPad, Free

Zotpad is an app that allows users to access their Zotero content on the iPhone and iPad. With Zotero, users can gather, organize and share research materials. Store images, videos, PDF articles, and other file types in one place. Zotero indexes all content, making it easy to search through your collection. Zotpad syncs your collection to your mobile devices for access anywhere.7. Wolfram Alpha, Apple and Android, $2.99

Think search engine, but highly specified. Get instant answers to your questions from Wolfram Alpha’s varied collection of algorithms. Categories include mathematics, statistics and data analysis, engineering, money and finance, health and medicine, and many others. Get data-supported answers and produce reports from your device. The app is partially integrated with Apple’s Siri Assistant.

8. Dragon Dictation, iPhone and iPad, Free

For the educator or student on the go. Use this app to dictate text, and post into documents using the clipboard. Post voice-to-text dictations into Messages, eMails, and even make posts for Facebook and Twitter. Edit with a built-in suggested words feature. Supports dozens of languages.

9. QuickOffice Pro, Android $14.99

Use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel on your android device. Open, create, edit, format, save, and print documents. Also supports PDF, EML, and ZIP files. Includes a Font Pack and the ability to create custom fonts. Integrate with Google Drive, SkyDrive, SugarSync or Dropbox. Share using eMail or Bluetooth.10. CamScanner/HD, Apple and Android, Free

This productivity app transforms your smartphone or tablet into a scanner. Scanned images are more than just pictures. CamScanner crops and auto-enhances images to adjust them to your preference. Save images as PDF documents and share via eMail, Dropbox, or Google Docs. Tag documents to organize them for easy access. The free version includes advertisements and a 50 document limitation. The paid version ($4.99/month) has no advertisements and unlimited document uploads.

Jaccii Barmer is an editorial intern at eCampus News.

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