MyScript Calculator by Louis

Name of App: MyScript Calculator

Cost: Free

Device/s used: SAMSUNG (Android)

What was good about this tool? 

It calculates really fast and it shows the solution straight away. I used this in my Maths class and it can solve most equations. My friends also found it useful and they got it on the Play Store too. It is easy to use this app, you just simply write the equation on the screen and the app will do the calculating automatically.

What was bad about this tool? 

There are couple of  points you need to beware of when using this app. Your writing has to be tidy and clear so that the app can "read" what you are writing. Also, the equation can't be too long, as you don't have much space to write on your phone screen.

Quizlet review - By Mustafa Mahmoud

Quizlet – Helping you memorise stuff

A few weeks ago, I reviewed a website called examtime.com which among many things, helped you remember what you needed to know for you exams. Quizlet is similar on the basis that it also helps with your exams, however it seems to know what it wants to do, just a little bit more than examtime did.

What is it?

Quizlet is an app that tries to help you memorise definitions and other simple facts. It does this in three different ways: flashcards, “learn”, and “match”. Flashcards is as it sounds – flashcards. You write down a question and then write the answer. It’s a very effective way of learning definitions and other short facts. Learn is more like a jeopardy test where it gives you the answer (definition) and you have to write down the question (the word itself). Lastly, match can be compared to a game of snap (closest thing I could think of) in which all the “cards” are laid out on a grid and then you have to put the word with its correlating definition. “Match” in my opinion is definitely the most fun and enjoyable out of the three, but try them all non-the-less.

Flashcards

Match

Learn

 One interesting feature is the apps ability to read out whatever is written. This could be especially useful to those who are trying to learn a different language and want to know the pronunciation, or for those who simply remember things better when they hear it. There are two ways to obtain quizzes, either by making them yourself, with the simple built in creator, or by searching for specific topics or subjects. The main issue I had with this is that although there were many search results, none of them were of particular use to me.

That is basically the app in a nutshell. It’s rather barebones, although in many instances, that can be seen as a good thing as it doesn’t overcomplicate the app. The UI us simple and easy to understand, and you can sign in with Google, Facebook, or email which is a plus. The website is fully functioning as well (although the app is much more convenient). Speaking of the app, it is available free of charge for android and iOS (so no WP love) and it is essentially an easier simpler and less cluttered version of examtime. Although I liked examtime, I much prefer Quizlet due to its simplicity and convenience. Do with that information what you wish.

By Mustafa Mahmoud

Download the app from here: www.quizlet.com

Fetchnotes by Hayley

Name of App: Fetchnotes 

Cost: Free

Device/s used: Apple iPhone

What was good about this tool? 

This app i found very useful in order to help me be organised and make sure that all my assignments were completed and due in on time. This app helped me to make reminders which would inform me when when these were due in or what parts where to be completed by when. I would totally recommend  this for anybody who finds it hard to keep to deadlines. The is also effective for anyone who likes being reminded of what they need to do each day as its very useful as a to do list.

What was bad about this tool?

I have not  found anything bad about this app yet. But if there is anything that you guys find i would totally recommend you let me know.

Notability by Connie

Name of App: Notability 

Cost: £1.99

Device/s used: iPad

What was good about this tool?

This is another word processing tool but with more of a focus on drawing and diagrams therefore making it more useful for subjects such as media and the sciences. Where as Evernote is better for subjects such as English, Psychology and any other text based subjects such as History. You can have different Notebooks and so I have one for each of my college subjects. This app is for use of touchscreen devices. It was especially useful when using this app in the science subjects as a lot of what you learn is diagrams and equations which is normally hard to take note of when using a normal word precessing program. But I've also found it so be of use in Media when planning layouts and designs. You can have different size pens/markers and different colours too. There is also a highlighter so you can go over text or other diagrams without blocking it out or covering over it. Once you have drawn what you need there is also a selection tool which you can move, resize, rotate the drawings, as well as change the colour and thickness of pen used. Typed text can be used alongside the diagrams and drawings, as well as pictures you wish to insert. Anything can be drawn over so if you need to take a picture of a whiteboard with something on it, you can add to whats already there. If you just want to add some suggestions to a text you can also add Stickies, basically PostItNotes. If and when you need to export the document, there is a drop down list with options including Email, Dropbox, Google Drive, Twitter and more. 

What was bad about this tool?

In the two years I have had this app i have never had a problem with it, it does what I expect it to do.