Digital Tools for Productive Learning

by Deputy DRAR Coleene Villanueva

Rotaract Club of RCDM Scholars

The emergence of modern smart technologies and the internethas greatly disrupted our means of learning and productivity. Traditional learning strategies such as pen-and-paper notetaking, calendars, and flashcards are set aside as more online learning applications take the stage. If you want to step up your learning and productivity in the new normal, then these digital tools are probablyworth checking outfor you.

Note-taking

MicrosoftOneNote

OneNote comes individually and is part of Microsoft Office suite’s productivity software programs. It is arguably one of the best note-taking software out in the market. This application allows you to collect, organize and share pictures, videos and handwritten notes. The program uses a five-level hierarchical organizational structure that gives you more power over how you organize the folders and subfolders in which you place notes. You may also synchronize OneNote across multiple devices using mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.

Notability

If you have an Ipad, then Notability works best for you. It literally is like an electric notebook where you can take notes, doodle, and sketch at the same time. With an Apple Pencil, you can maximize taking notes using different colors to emphasize your notes. It also has a search function that will go through your hand-written notes by inputting keywords. Saving your notes in PDF is also easy with Notability since it can capture one whole page. The app offers a delightful writing experience, yet it also makes it easy to embed images, annotate PDFs, and even record voice memos.

Moreover, Notability includes a variety of flexible layout options. For instance, it allows the user to have a slide or reference material open on one side of the page while you take notes on the other.

Schedule Management

Notion

Mostly used by teams in tracking and planning, Notion is the all-in-one workspace you should definitely try. It allows teams to collaborate, plan, write, and get organized through taking notes, adding tasks, and managing projects. Notion provides a workspace where users can write on a clean space and build their own wiki. It also allows them to plan using the Kanban view, use a calendar, and capture workflows and record them. Like other project management software, it offers its users functionality that allows real-time collaboration. Furthermore, it gives the ability for teams to share and assign tasks, as well as comment on them.

Google Calendar

You can easily find this in the applications section of your Google account. One of the main advantages of Google Calendar is its sharing abilities. It can be accessed and updated by whoever has permission. It also allows the users to create multiple calendars which works best for different project timelines. It can be accessed through phone and computer and phone or computer, and everything always stays synced no matter what time zone you're in.

Reviewing

Quizlet

Quizlet is a learning tool that helps you study using a variety of features such as flashcards, writing notes, spellers, timers, and even games. It can also generate any kind of tests which will allow you to ultimately prepare before any kind of exam. It offers options for you to study using your own learning style. This application is completely free and is also accessible to mobile devices.

Memrise

A British language platform that uses spaced repetition of flashcards to increase the rate of learning. Here, you can choose or make your own courses to practise and revise language covered in class or language connected to topics that interest you. It is an excellent study aid that goes long from remembering vocabulary and phrases, learning new language, to helping math, science, economics, and so forth.

These are just some useful applications and digital tools that can aid your online learning amidst the pandemic. I have tried all of these and I can guarantee that they do create a huge impact in how I am able to handle my everyday tasks and workloads, both in school and work. If you want to know more about these tools, feel free to check out some reviews about its advantages and disadvantages.

On an important note, now that learning has become massively digital, it is best to explore available resources that can help you maximize and grow in your learning and working journey. However, at the end of the day, these are just tools. What can make you an effective and productive learner still depends on your grit and motivation. So, get that brain working and start grinding now!