Apps for Getting Your Students Organised

We have all had students who struggle with the skills to organise themselves around homework and assignments. Sometimes they just do not have the tools to learn this skill. We saw a notable difference when we got our students to use their smart phones to record homework and assignments but the major change was when we used iCal once they got their laptops. Obviously this would be the same for students using iPads.

iCal is pre-installed on your iPad and has many useful features. You can view it three different ways - Day, Week, and Month. You can set up multiple ‘Calendars’ for school, home or work and you can also color code them so you don’t get confused. You can set up Events and a notification for either the time of your event or for a certain time period. A pop up will display on the screen at the time you set the notification. You can also have notifications sent to you by email. These are also known as alarms. You also have a To Do List that allows you to enter items that you need to do but don’t have a set day or time to do it. Click the ‘push pin’ icon in the lower right hand corner and it will display a list of your current To Do items. We often get the students to put in three notifications; one when it is issued, one a week out and one the night before.

The beauty of this is with iOS 5 you could even set up a class iCal Calendar and share it so that everybody could get the same notifications. If you wanted you could even share it with parents as a helpful reminder of when major assessment tasks are due - I'm not sure I would do this with everyone but for your really disorganised students it could create a whole lot less stress for everyone.

So what if your students want to do more than just iCal. What are some of the other apps that might assist a student or that you might suggest to a parent with concerns about their child organisation skills. These apps are not going to solve every problem but they might motivate some of your students to use their iOS devices or iPads to help get themselves on track. Many of these apps do more than just record homework or assignments - they also kept track of timetables and some can record course notes. Others are for the those students who might benefit from flashcard learning.

Student Tools $1.99

Student Tools is an all-in-one utility software package that aims to turn your iPad into a useful device for both your school and homework. Is it great for making sure that you are studying productively. It is suitable for anyone who needs an integrated solution to increase your productivity with your iPad.
http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/student-tools

Student Pad $5.99

Student Pad is the all-in-one office suite designed specifically for iPad. It is created for working people and students to make use of iPad for their everyday tasks: reading books (and taking note at the same time), writing and drawing, managing classroom related document and information, and doing maths stuff. 
http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/student-pad

iStudiez Pro: $3.99

A student's life is a dizzying mix of activity and just plain craziness! Take charge of your schedule and put iStudiez Pro to work for you! Take advantage of iStudiez Pro easy navigation and never miss another course, lecture and lab, track tasks and deadlines, plan homework, arrange assignments and much more!
http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/istudiez-pro

Evernote Peek: Free

Evernote Peek is the first app designed for the iPad 2 Smart Cover! Studying with an iPad has never been more natural. Simply peek under the cover to prepare for a quiz, practice a language or strengthen your memory.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/evernote-peek

Flashcards Deluxe: $4.99

Flashcards Deluxe is an easy to use, yet powerful flashcard app which you can use to study just about anything you want. Quizlet com integration and the ability to browse and download any of their 4 million+ flashcard sets.
Searchable listing of your cards that allows you to easily look up other terms as you study. 
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flashcards-deluxe

Paper Helper - Easiest Essay: $1.19

PaperHelper uniquely splits your iPad screen in half providing you with a Internet Browser and a Document writer. Seamlessly surf the web for information and transfer it to your document. Keep Track of All your sources with the Sources Button as well as Quick Search. Other features include Fonts, Text formats, Email Your Paper, Spell Check and AirPrint.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paperhelper-easiest-essay

AnkiMobile Flashcards: $29.99

Anki is a powerful, intelligent flashcard program. It is designed for serious studiers who need to memorize information as efficiently as possible. Anki offers a number of things lacking in other flashcard programs. It has a proven spaced repetition algorithm that learns from your answers and schedules reviews at the optimum time. It has seamless integration with the online and open source desktop versions. 
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ankimobile-flashcards

Assignments: $2.49

A way to organize work in an entirely new and sensible fashion. Assignments, unlike other task management programs, is built from the ground up to manage schoolwork. View all of your work, or view it organized by class. Search your assignments and view those that are soon due. Quickly add your classes and each assignment you enter will be organized with a flip of the onscreen wheel. 
                                 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/assignments

iHomework: $2.49

iHomework is a student's best friend during the busy times of the school year. Keep up-to-date with your school work, grades, to-do's, teacher's information, and almost everything else you need during the school year. iHomework is the only school organizer that can be with you anywhere you go, whether that be on your iPhone/iPod touch, iPad, or Mac.
http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/ihomework

MyHomework: Free

myHomework is focused to make student life easier. With myHomework you can easily know what's due and when's due so you will never forget a homework assignment again. myHomework is now available on the web so you can quickly sync and access your homework online from your computer through myhomeworkapp.com.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/myhomework

Homeworkr: $1.19

Homeworkr is a course management application that helps students track information about their course work. Students can keep track of their assignments, tests, quizzes, and finals. Homeworkr provides the student with an at-a-glance view of all their course work that is due. In addition to keeping track of course work Homeworkr also allows students to manage information about their classes and teachers.  
                                 http://itunes.apple.com/app/homeworkr