My final thoughts - Mustafa Mahmoud

My Final Thoughts

Since I bought my first smartphone back in 2011, I have downloaded a new app almost everyday. Most of them i'd delete within the hour, but some stuck around. Every once in a while, i'd find a gem amongst the sand, a gem such as 'My Study Life' or 'Wolfram Alpha'. There are apps out there that I believe everyone should have, or atleast try out. The Student Innovators provided me with a platform to do so. When I first heard about the Innovators, I lept at the opportunuity; I wasn't dissapointed. The Student Innovators provided me a dual service: I could share with people the apps I believed to be worth sharing, and in turn, I discovered many other apps that i'd never heard of, recommended by my fellow Innovators. This is what being a part of the student innovators has done for me. It allowed me to take a hobby of mine and share the experience with others. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Student Innovator, and will continue to keep my eye on the blog for any new apps that could help me, in the future.

Mustafa Mahmoud

Final Thoughts by Louis

I became a student innovator because I love using my phone a lot and I can search for apps that is useful for my classmates. Some of the apps really help a lot, for example MyScript Calculator which is very easy to use but extremely useful. You just have to 'write' a equation on the screen, and the calculator will show you the answer right away. I am still using Biscuit, which is a dictionary. What I like is that you can use its little quiz function and check if you still remember the meaning of the words that you have been checking.

The skills that I have gained this year as an innovator are useful for my future. For example I learned how to do some researching about apps and try them out. I will continue to use some of the apps that I have been looking through this year to help myself with future studies.

Final Thoughts by Connie

I became a student innovator because I think technology can be a great support in the learning environment, and by doing this I can help find the best app's for the job. I enjoyed reviewing the new apps that I can now use for my studies as well as friends using them too.

It was interesting to find out about learning and teaching, especially the Learning Walk Training where I get the chance to go on a learning walk and see the difference in student participation depending on how the teacher engages them. I also got to feed back to the head of Sixth Form as well as going around tutor groups so that our ideas and and reviews could be heard.

Doing something like this can really help improve your personal statement and possibly get you better offerers from your chosen universities. Also it shows prospective employers that you are not afraid to take up something new and helps you develop skills for the workplace. Overall I would say this is a very worth while project to undertake and hope it continues in the following years.

Final Thoughts by Liam

I become a student innovator to test out apps, recommend apps I use frequently and help others find the right app to help them. I have enjoyed this experience especially testing out some of the new apps.  I also enjoyed meeting up my Head of School, Owen, who liked the apps I had been testing and encouraged me to continue on. Finally I went to the Student Innovator party and got to meet the rest of the team. I will continue to recommend apps I use e.g Send Anywhere.

I wish to continue my work with the awesome Student Innovator team for September!

Learn English Grammar by Liam

Name of App:  Learn English Grammar

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone

What was good about this tool?

It does provide practice quizzes and tests to check your knowledge, however these come from a free sample pack. These questions are a mix of multiple choice, drag and drop and fill in the gaps. All questions show the answers to check if I have got them right or wrong.  But one problem is that I can skip questions, but they don't provide me with explanations if I am unsure. 

What was bad about this tool?

I would like this app to have more explanations regarding English terms e.g. difference between 'past perfect' and 'past simple'. This app does not provide a section to see terms and definitions , it only tests you on them. 

The app only provides a sample of questions from different topics. It also keeps asking me if I would like to buy the whole question pack. I find this very annoying. 

Farewell and final thoughts by Hayley

Hi i'm Hayley ,

I have been a student innovator for the past academic year and it has really helped me to broaden my knowledge on how both apps and technology can benefit my studies. 

I found an interest in becoming a student innovator as it helped me gain confidence through meeting with other students from college and also taking on board their opinions as well as my own. I took part in learning walk which meant that I observed a lesson taking on board what technology was used and what other things could be put into place to benefit the students. 

I will most definitely take on my experiences as a student innovator into my future studies and if i potentially go to uni then i will make sure i use the apps in which i have looked into this year. 

Quiz Maker by Liam

Name of App:  Quiz Maker

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone

What was good about this tool?

Whats good about quiz maker is that you can create your own quizzes easily and for free! When you are creating them you can add photos and voice messages. I can create quizzes on the go and test myself on my topics. The app is bright and colourful which makes it fun do my quizzes. 

 

What was bad about this tool?

This app is only available on Apple and you need to save and quit when editing quizzes you have already saved.

There is a full upgrade for this app, which allows you to unlock the cloud functions and more.