Slideshare by Vicky

Name of App: Slideshare

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPad/iPhone

Available on: iPad/iPhone, Android and Online

What was good about this tool?

Its a quick tool to use if you need to find some sort of information out regarding subjects you're studying. It contains thousands of presentations starting from biology, sociology etc. Its quick and very easy to use as all you have to do is search for any relevant topic in the search bar and hundreds of different slide shows that could be relevant come up. You can follow different types of presentations uploaded etc.

What was bad about this tool?

Sometimes you need to 'dig in' deeper to find what you're looking for if it's something not so basic, overall, no major issues occurred whilst using this. 

How did you use this tool?

I used it to get more information in relation to coursework, essays and just general knowledge. I

recommend it for people who don't like searching internet for a long time to find relevant answers as using this app it's extremely quick and informative!

Simplenote by Liam

Name of App: Simplenote

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone

Available on: Apple, Android and Online

What was good about this tool?

This app is a great note taking tool, I can make quick notes on the go. I can collaborate on my notes with my friends, in real time or I can send them the link. I can also switch between different versions, allowing be to go back if make any changes which are wrong. I can keep my notes organised by 'tagging' them.  I can export by notes by sending it via 'Airdrop' or use other applications such as Yammer, Twitter, Message or Mail. 

What was bad about this tool?

It doesn't allow me to insert any images into my notes. 

How did you use this tool?

To help me be organised by creating 'to do' lists, and write any memos. I also like the collaboration tool. 

Overall I prefer the Notes app already with my iPhone, as I can insert images. A good app to help you if you need to create simple lists but I will continue to use my Notes app. 

iTunes U by Mac

Name of App: iTunes U

Cost: Free

Device/s used: IPhone

Available on: Only on Apple devices 

What was good about this tool? 

The wide range of audio books on different subjects, a great tool for HE students it allows me to access my subject content on the go from top universities. Its give you the latest information about your subject. This is a education app for education content.

What was bad about this tool? 

Good tool but can only be used on Apple devices 

 How did you use this tool?

If you were interested in a subject you could use this app to learn more about it, Also a helpful tool for extra research, and a different way of leaning. I would recommend this app to any person or student that wants another way to learn.

Popplet Lite by Vicky

Name of App: Popplet Lite

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone

Available on: iPhone, iPad

What was good about this tool? 

It's easy to use. Once you download the app and open it, you do not sign up or anything and go straight forward to creating your mind map. You can name it and change a colour of it by clicking on settings wheel. You are allowed to make a new 'popple', copy/past/cut it and also you can disable editing if you aren't writing anything on it and just want to read through what you've got already. 

What was bad about this tool? 

The downside of this app is that you cannot create more than one board. Everything is on the same page so it can get a little messy and confusing so if you were to use this I would advise using it for one subject/topic only. Another thing, is that it's too small on my phones screen for my liking anyway. I would imagine if it was used on an iPad etc, it would be easier to fiddle with it and make it easier to read and navigate around the board.

How did you use this tool?

It's great for quick-to-do mind map. It's quite nice that you have an option to choose whichever colour that is in the options, as you can personalise it and makes homework etc more 'fun' or exciting if I may say. Overall, it's a simple mind mapping tool for quick notes but maybe not best for revision. 

Yammer by Liam

Name of App: Yammer
Cost: Free
Device/s used: iPhone and PC
Available on: Apple, Android, Windows Phone and Online.

What was good about this tool?

Yammer is great for posting messages that other people in the company could read and reply too. You can also start a group that you can invite others to collaborate with you, this is great for group tasks such as presentations.  You can also modify your profile to correctly represent you as an individual. Also when replying to posts you can also 'like' them to indicate you agree with them without having to comment on it.

Within the posts you can attach URLs, photos or files (such as a Word document or a PowerPoint). You can also integrate polls into your posts that you can share with groups or the all company group (default group you join when you sign up to Yammer).

What was bad about this tool?

But you must be careful when you post to all company as everyone in the company can see what you post on there.

How did you use this tool?
I used this tool to interact with other people in my group. To post about my interests. Its a quick way to communicate with other members of my group as it is on my phone. I would defiantly recommend this tool to everyone.

Sway on Office 365 by Liam.

Name of App: Sway

Cost: Free

Device/s used: Online on a PC

Available on: Office 365, iPhone, Windows phone, Mac OX



What was good about this tool?
It as different way to present your work. I like that you can implement .gifs into your Sways. Everyone who has Office 365 has access to Sway as it is apart of the Office 365 package - making it accessible from anywhere. You can embed YouTube or twitter to make it more interactive. I can also share my Sways this is great when working on a group presentation. To add content you can just drag and drop onto your Sway.

What was bad about this tool?
There was nothing really bad about this application.

How did you use this tool?
You would use Sway for presentations in lessons or work. You can add lots of content from varies different sources into your sway. I was able to access the same Sway from a number of different computers since its all online on Office 365.

Click here to login to Office 365 and try it out!

Thinglink by Tanis

Name of App: Thinglink

Cost: Free

Device/s used: Online (PC)

Available on: Android and Apple devices

What was good about this tool?

It is a good tool to use in lessons, mainly for assignment work, to show news feed on the topic. It will also be good for the Student Union as a blog and information site for all students to access and find up to date information on events and activities. the fact that you can use a image as a mind map with connections to web sites and other sources of information stands out to me.

What was bad about this tool?

So far there is nothing to be said here.

How did you use this tool?

For example, if i was to add an image of Sainsbury's on the app i can connect points to it to lead people off to other sources of information that will relate to the topic at hand. I have found this a great visual tool to present assignments.

Brainscape by Charlotte

Name of App: Brainscape

Cost: Free

Device/s used: IPhone/IPad

What was good about this tool?: 

Simple to use. Can be used on the go. Pre-made notes can be used if you don't have time to create your own. A wide range of subjects are covered.  Useful for Alevel students.

What was bad about this tool?: 

It was bad because it was in black and white, it was slightly boring and people who use colour to learn didn't have the opportunity to do so.

How did you use this tool?: 

I used this to create flashcards for various different exams which meant i could revise on the go.

Skedule by Katie

Name of App: Skedule 

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone 

What was good about this tool?

This is very easy to use. You can personalise it to your own tastes/needs. It is very good at keeping you organised with classes and homework's. Its also good as you can colour codes subjects and homework's so that you can easily see what you need to do and when.

What was bad about this tool?

It could be better if it had notifications to remind you that you have homework otherwise if you have forgotten about it and don't check the app you will not know.

How did you use this tool?

I used it to have my timetable on me at all times and to keep track of my homework and exams.

Trello by Vicky

Name of App: Trello

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone, iPad (can access online)

What was good about this tool? 

Simple to use. To create your own board all you have to do is press '+' at the top right corner, advisory to do for each subject you're studying. You can design your own board by choosing a colour that you want and once this is chosen you then can create your list, for example 'To do', 'Doing' and 'done' but also you're allowed to add your own lists, for example 'homework'. If you have something in your 'to do' list, once you've started it, you are allowed to move it to your doing list by drag and drop and so on. If your friends are doing the same subject as you and use the same app, you can add them to the board for group work, for example. You also have an option to view your activity on the board, which allows you to view your process. 

What was bad about this tool?

The downside of this app is that you have to pay £3.99 for a month or £34.99 for the whole year to get more features for example custom backgrounds for the board and bigger attachments.

How did you use this tool?

I've used the checklist, due dates, description of the homework rather than writing it all out in the title, this is a good feature within the cards as I was able to drag and drop assignments that i've already completed to 'done' list instead of having to rewrite them. I would recommend it to students to help organise the workload for the upcoming year and if you struggle with due dates, you'd always know what work and when has to be done just by opening the app.