The Internet can be a huge distraction for students, but it can also be a huge benefit. Luckily, online and smartphone applications can help students spend their time more efficiently and complete their work more effectively.
RescueTime
This computer and smartphone application keeps track of how you’re spending your time online or on certain applications. Students can use this app to see how they’re really spending their homework and study hours. You can track your time with a free version of the app. For $9 per month, you can actually block certain distracting apps for a period of time as well as track time away from technology.
GroupMe
GroupMe is a group messaging app through which multiple people can communicate. It’s especially helpful for group projects. Through GroupMe, users can communicate effectively as well as easily share documents and links. You can either download the app or use the application through their website.
Duolingo
This free interactive language learning site allows users to learn from 23 different languages. It can be a great place to get an idea of a certain language before taking a class. Also, it can help students get in some extra practice with the language they study. Users can either start from the beginning or take a language placement test to see where they should begin.
Google Scholar
Students can use this search engine to find scholarly articles available online. However, the search does show articles that are free as well as the ones that are not. If there is a free version of the article online, it will appear as a link to the right of the article’s name and main link. Usually, the link will include the name of the website preceded by [PDF].
Library Databases
If students do find articles that require paid access, a library database can help. Most public library systems give access to databases to anyone who has a library card for the system. These databases can be a great place for students to find reliable, peer-reviewed articles and essays.
EasyBib
EasyBib is a website that helps users formulate citations for a work cited page. Users enter the name and format (book, article, etc.) of the work they are wishing to cite into a search box. Then, a list of possibilities appears. The user picks the one that best matches the work they want to cite. After that, you hit the “cite” button and receive your citation. The sites generates MLA 8 and 7, Chicago and APA style citations. Students are encouraged to double-check with the appropriate style guide just in case.
These are just a few of the various apps and websites that can be beneficial for student productivity. While there are many others out there for the computer as well as for the phone, it’s best for students to learn what works best for them and go from there. The internet is full of possibilities; one just has to take a bit of time to find what possibilities work best for them.
