Back to school: 8 apps to track grades, help focus, end procrastination
Heather ClarkIt's almost time for kids to head back to school and they're sure to be downloading the latest social media and game apps to their phones. Middle and high school students also may be asked to load apps educators use to alert them to assignments, tests and school activities.
But kids aren't the only ones who can deploy their smartphones to support a better school year.
Parents also can check out apps to download and encourage their kids to do the same.
Whether your child is a procrastinator, has a problem with focusing or could use the extra help with a particular subject, here are a few apps that can help them succeed in the 2019-2020 school year.
Keep track of grades
This depends on the school district. Some schools have "parent portal" apps of their own that allow parents to keep track of their child's grades while others use third party apps. Always check with your child's district to see what apps they offer. Some schools use Remind, which allows teachers, parents and students to communicate with each other about grades, upcoming events, sports schedules and other things related to the school community.
Google Classroom: Some schools may utilize Google Classroom for school assignments, projects and sharing grades. Google Classroom allows for remote homework including group projects. Teachers also can post grades via Google Classroom so kids and their parents can keep up to date on assignments.
End procrastination
Kids will be kids. Most don't want to come home and get to homework right away. But, if your child has a procrastination problem, there are plenty of apps that can help keep them on track and show parents what they should, and shouldn't be, focusing on.
myHomework Student Planner: Great for forgetful students, myHomework Student Planner acts as a replacement for a physical planner. Students can input tests, due dates and homework assignments. Anything your child needs to remember should go there. They can even keep track of their class schedules so they're not forgetting their sneakers for gym or instrument for music. It's a free app that can connect to multiple devices, which makes keeping track of your child's schoolwork and schedule that much easier.
Remember the Milk: An app to connect the whole family, Remember the Milk is a to-do list service that allows you to set tasks for your family. You can choose from email, text, instant message or Twitter notifications to receive when a task is scheduled. Everyone in the family can see what the others are up to, as long as they're invited, so it makes managing multiple schedules as easy as can be.
Stop losing focus
If a task is daunting, like an essay or a big class project, StayOnTask or Flipd can help keep kids organized.
StayOnTask programs the user's cellphone with a random timer that will pop up to check up on the student and make sure they're getting their work done. The user doesn't know when the alarm will sound and when it does, may feel compelled to get to work. Flipd allows students to listen to music aimed at keeping them focused, create "micro-communities" like a study group and categorize how their time was spent. There are free versions of both apps and premium paid versions with more content.
Help with every subject
We've all been there. There's just one subject you can't get through and need all the help you can get. Well, there's an app for that.
Khan Academy: Almost every subject can be found on Khan Academy. Math, science, computing, arts, you name it. Even SAT test prep! Students preparing for any sort of test can look to this free app for guidance and tutoring on particularly difficult subjects. Khan Academy even breaks it down by grade to narrow down the help your child can get. There are lessons and practice tests that help to further your child's understanding of whatever subject they're having trouble with.
Duolingo: If your child is finding it difficult to master a language class, Duolingo is a great place to start. There is even a Duolingo for schools to help children and teachers further enhance the learning experience. There are 25 languages available to learn on the app, including Spanish, French, Italian, German and Chinese. It almost turns learning a new language into a game. The app is free unless you want to remove ads or want some special features.
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