Can Technology Help Students Make the Most of Their Studying?

It’s comforting to know that 94% of those between the ages of 18 and 29 have access to a smartphone, as it opens many doors for students. This is because technology provides students with access to tools that may previously only have been available to a few. Access to smartphones also opens the door to students from various demographics which helps to level the playing field. Discover how students can harness technology to their advantage when studying.

Subject Specific Apps for Maximum Impact

Students have access to subject-driven apps such as CALCU and Wolfram Alpha to help with specific topics. The apps are easy to navigate and many of them are free or offer a trial basis so students can determine whether they would benefit from the app or not before they have to purchase it. Troubleshooting through difficult subjects such as Math or Science now becomes a little easier, as the use of apps allows the student to reference the material over and over again without leaving their homes or study groups. This reduces the need for intensive tutoring.

Modern classrooms are also equipped with interactive screens and the students make use of tablets to complete their work. The use of educational apps is a small leap and allow teachers to plan their lessons more effectively, knowing the students will have full access to the lesson at home. Recent studies have shown a direct link between app usage and improved grades.

According to the International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, the use of multi-functional mobile apps has a positive effect on retention, which then has an effect on academic performance. What makes the research special to teachers is that the findings apply to tertiary level students, which makes a greater case for those still at school where the workload on students is substantially less. Although there is further research required to curb the novelty effect of apps, the current impact cannot be ignored.

Studying Made Easier With References and Practice Tests

The days before Google were tough on students as the only way they were able to reference effectively, were in a library. Those who didn’t have access to one in their town needed to travel to another town or even a city just to get the information they needed. Studying for tests also required a fair amount of traveling and extra classes, whereas students now have the means to access practice tests online for almost any subject imaginable. This not only saves students time, it also allows easier studying in groups as these tests can be accessed through mobile devices as well. Studying in groups can now take place anywhere there is network coverage.

A Fun Way to Study

Sitting down with a textbook and taking in all the information can be a bit daunting and often students procrastinate due to this. When the work is presented as a game, however, this places the studying in a whole new light. Apps such as Kahoot takes students down a road of competitive gaming while allowing them to learn along the way. This is a great motivator for student groups to have some friendly competition which will improve their grades at the same time. The app is user-friendly and allows students or teachers to customize the questions to their specific needs. This means it can be used for any subject.

Studying no longer needs to be done in isolation without access to any technology, as technology can now provide students with additional tools. Not only does it create a simple way for students and teachers to communicate, but also figure out ingenious ways to improve grades and make learning fun.

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Illuminate Education is a provider of educational technology and services offering innovative data, assessment and student information solutions. Serving K-12 schools, our cloud-based software and services currently assist more than 1,600 school districts in promoting student achievement and success.

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