Free technologies and apps to support academic writing and college assignments

1. Free technologies and
apps to support
academic writing and
college assignments
Trevor Boland
Assistive Technology Officer
Trevor.boland@dit.ie

2. Atpresentations.tumblr.com

3. Android iPhone

4. -Introduction
-Rationale
-The Basics
-Gmail
-VARK
-Media Creators
-Group Work
-Tool kits
-Resources
-Disabilities
Content:

5. A little bit about me
Why do I use technology ?
Is it part of my everyday life?

6. Google Keep- app
App- Android
Desktop
https://drive.google.com/keep/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.keep

7. Using your Gmail account as an organisational tool
Click on the grid symbol above for Gmail options
Share and view calendars…. Use as a time table- repeat weekly events

8. Apps
Software
Web
applications

9. Rationale

10. 1. Students own a multiple of devices
2. The exposure to technology is increasing.
3. The selection of applications is rising
The Net Generation

11. Adopting Technology
1. Habit forming
2. Right match

12. The Basics

13. The Webcourses app, called
‘Blackboard Learn’, can be
downloaded as an app on
your phone or tablet device
for both the Android and
IOS.
(Android and IOS App)
FIND

14. Learn about
Webcourses and
how to access
and view
information
made available by
your lecturers.
(Online video) click here to view
FIND

15. Plan your timeline when completing your assignment (Website).
Type in the date an assignment must be submitted, and it
calculates the tasks you need to do each day leading up to the
submission date
http://www.kent.ac.uk/ai/ask/index.php
(website)
Time management

16. Dictionary and Thesaurus
Explore and understand
what the assignment title is
asking you to do.
(Website and App for Android and IOS)
UNDERSTANDING THE ESSAY TITLE

17. To source academic material, try Sweetsearch, the
search engine for Students and Google Scholar, the
educational side of googling
(Websites- Search engines)
RESEARCH

18. A mind map is a diagram used to
visually outline information. One such
Mind map maker is called ‘Bubbl.us’.
(Web Application)
BRAINSTORM
https://coggle.it/

19. Mindmapping
• Explore ideas- edit ideas
• Colour code text- quotes vs your words
• Rearrange bubbles
• Copy and paste content into Word

20. Delicious - This allows to store your
Bookmarks online
Website http://delicious.com/
App- IOS
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/delicious-official-app/id580295142?mt=8
App- Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=se.alexanderblom.delicious&hl=en
(App and Website)
Research

21. Free spelling and grammar software from
Ginger.
(software)
Spelling

22. Free spelling and grammar software from
Grammarly.
(software)
Spelling

23. The Academic Phrasebank is a general resource
for academic writers. It aims to provide you with
examples of some of the phraseological "nuts
and bolts" of writing
http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/
/
(websitee)
 Academic Phrases

24. Texthelp- Read & Write gold
Proof reading/ Listening
View tutorial videos for Texthelp here
(The texthelp icon on your DIT desktop computer)
Read Aloud
Mp3

25. ‘Dropbox’ is a free service that lets you bring
your photos, docs, and videos anywhere and
share them easily. (google drive too)
(app / web application)
STORE

26. Azzapt works on your web browser. It can only be used with
Dropbox. It converts your Word files into epub formats as well as
converting your written documents into MP3 files. So you can now
listen to your written work. This MP3 file can be played on your
computer or phone.
(Website)
PROOFREADING

27. Keeping track of your files and folders can be difficult at times.
These tips involve calling your files and folders logical names.
Also, file names can change in a simple way for you to keep
track of them like ‘AT essay V1’.
Version 1 can then become V2, V3 and so on as your essay
develops.
Naming convention for files and
folders
ORGANISE

28. Gmail

29. Another Key Feature
includes:
The app button.
It has many features that can help
you.

30. Inside the apps button:
Here you can access applications
like:
YouTube
Google Search
Google+ (a social network)
Play (access apps)
Drive

31. Inside Google Drive:
Google Drive allows you to save
documents in the cloud.
So far I have one document called
‘How to get started with Drive’.

32. Inside Google Drive:
Click on the red button called
‘Create’.
Create a folder in your Drive by
clicking Folder. Then name it.
Click on ‘Document’ to write up an
assignment. This has all the features
you need to write an essay.
Click on ‘Presentation’ to create a
presentation for class. It has all the
features you need.
‘Spreadsheet’ is like Excel and
‘Form’ is for surveys.

33. Collaborate
Click ‘Email Collaborators’
A new window appears.
Type your groups emails in the box.

34. Google Apps
Compliment the student and staff Gmail
- View Students Work - Erasmus Students

35. VARK

36. Learn more about the type
of learner that you are by
using this website.
(Website)
V.A.R.K . Assessment online

37. Prezi (Browser/ app)
A very visually stunning way of making a presentation from a
free online website.
Also, serch for presentations made by others in the search
box. http://prezi.com/
(website)
 Visual

38. Capture your thoughts on the move with Philips
Dictation Recorder for Android
(Please do not record lectures with out your lecturers permission).
(Android and IOS App)
Auditory

39. Also, through Google
scholar you can locate ‘
Google books’
This has textbooks
online that can help
your research too.
(Website)
 read/ write

40. Develop touch typing skills
website
http://www.typingweb.com/
 Kinesthetic

41. Specialised

42. Texthelp- Read&write gold
An application on DIT computers that can help you with your assignments
View tutorial videos for Texthelp here
(The texthelp icon on your DIT desktop computer)

43. Photomath

44. Google Translate App

45. Myscript- handwriting, maths and more

46. Media Creators

47. Pixlr

48. WeVideo
App stores

49. Infographics
Free stock photography click here

50. Thinglink
App stores

51. ATNorth App
Audio boom

52. Gamification

53. Socrative

54. Plickers

55. Group Work

56.  Trello- organisational aid
Trello also comes in app form too for the Android, Iphone, Windows. Like the
website these are all free are help you organise on the go.
(app and website)

57. Tool Kits

58. Graduate Tools
Creating Bibliographies

59. App Tool Kit
Blackboard
learn
Time table Google Keep Evernote Easybib

60. Resources

61. Content
Use YouTube to get tips about Word, PowerPoint….
Try Vimeo for online videos too- https://vimeo.com/
Write up note of video
http://www.videonot.es/
Closed captions in Youtube

62. itunesu Khan Academy
 Content
udemy Skills share

63.  Online Microsoft Training
Training regarding Word and Excel……contact Niall.Dixon@dit.ie
(website)

64. App in Education Resources
Edshelf Bloomin Apps

65. AtinDIT blog

66. Disabilities

67. Bibliography tools
Android and
iphone App
Tutorials about
Word

68. Get in the Zone

69. Then relax (get in the zone) with some music
in Sound Cloud - http://soundcloud.com
(website and app)

70. http://writtenkitten.net/
Similar to this is written kitten -
Procrastination
750words

71. Get in the Zone

72. 5