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5 Note-Taking Apps to Try in 2021

a person writing in a notebook

In 2021, note-taking means a lot more than putting pen to paper. With the evolution of computer and smart phone technology, note-taking has taken a significant turn towards digitization, and that’s great news for persons with disabilities. Nowadays, most modern note-taking apps are universally designed, accessible, and free. Today we are going to look at five unique note-taking apps worth trying in 2021. This list is not so much about finding what is “best”, but rather, what makes certain apps unique or popular.

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Playground Physics: Discovering Physics Through Play

a young girl on a swing

Physics is often considered one of the most difficult types of science to study. This type of subject matter would be especially difficult for visual learners to grasp, as these individuals typically rely on visual cues and relations when learning. And with physics, these concepts are abstract and difficult to visualize, and the subject matter and experiments typically deal with unseen forces. The app that we are looking at today seeks to makes those unseen forces seen.

Grammaropolis: Grammar Made Fun

two children are using a tablet, one is scrolling, while the other is watching with a smile

With so much conversation being shifted to the digital realm these days, grammar apps have become increasingly popular. Most of these apps correct user’s grammar mistakes in real time rather than teach the fundamentals of grammar, as those apps are typically designed for users who are already familiar with basic grammar but might need a little extra reminder from time to time.

Chegg Prep

a woman wearing headphones writing down notes with a pen while looking at a laptop

Flashcards have been a studying staple for decades. Many of us no doubt still remember buying blank paper flashcards and then writing out questions and answers for later review. The process was time consuming, especially for those who struggle with handwriting, but it was (and still is) a great way to study. Today flashcards have largely gone digital, so students can enjoy the benefits of this type of study without having to spend nearly as much time prepping/buying/writing the material. Let’s take a closer look at one such apps.

Prodigy: Gamified Math

a girl looks at a tablet while doing homework

A few years ago, we looked at Habitica, an app that gamifies task management. We were fascinated by the idea of gamifying dull or tedious tasks, and we felt that the app did a great job of rewarding its users with virtual outfits, avatars, and awards. The app that we are looking at today takes the same concept of gamifying tasks, and applies it to learning math.

Nearpod Interactive Instruction

A child wearing headphones, seated at a desk, watching a teacher gesturing towards a blackboard

We’ve talked about a few different virtual learning systems in the past, but with the pandemic still ongoing, not to mention an overall attitude shift towards virtual instruction, we thought it would be worth looking at another contender in the interactive lesson space. This technology is especially interesting to the assistive technology community because of its potential to present information in a variety of mediums, making it possible (and relatively easy) to provide lessons that appeal that to a wide variety of learning styles. Not to mention, this technology gives students an opportunity to approach learning at a self-regulated pace when needed.

Simple Sentence Builder

A child using headphones, looking at a laptop, seated at a table

Learning to read is one of the most important and fundamental milestones in every student’s education. It is also an experience that is unique to each and every individual, and the challenges that come for each student are also unique. Luckily, there are apps available for students who struggle with basic reading/writing skills, and many of those apps are free or reasonably priced. The app that we are looking at today is a specific type of reading/writing app called a “Sentence Builder”, and these apps help students practice and demonstrate sentence structure.

Freedom: A Productivity App

A student seated at a desk, using a smartphone. In the foreground is a laptop and a stack of books

When you’re working from a PC, it’s not always easy to stay on task. Social media, video games, and other distractions are just a click away, so if you’re someone who is already prone to distraction, being your most productive self-online might require some extra tools. Task management apps like Todoist or Microsoft To Do are great for keeping users on-task and focused (and come highly recommended for anyone who struggles with attention-based challenges), but the app that we are looking at today takes a different approach to productivity.

Popplet – A Mind Mapping Tool

Words like "home", "school", "study", "play" mapped out. A child is looking at these words.

Mind mapping is a concept that’s been around in some form or another for decades, but recent innovations in technology have made this concept especially accessible. iPads, for example (as well as other types of tablets), are perfect for creating mind/concept maps, as users can pinch and zoom and move concepts and images around with their fingers or styluses. These apps are especially helpful for visual learners or for anyone who might benefit from a visual approach to planning/organizing ideas.

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400 – 3999 Henning Drive
Burnaby, BC V5C 6P9
778 945 1215
hearingsolutions@neilsquire.ca
Refer today