What is this guide?

This guide is where you can find out about a selection of apps to assist your learning.

The apps listed are free and almost all of them are available for Apple and Android devices.

If there’s an app you think should be included, please get in touch!

‌By Valentyna Sagan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Acceleread

Learn how to become a faster, more effective reader in as little as 10 days! Unlearn old habits, increase your retention and recall and curb unintentional mind-wandering. Apple devices only. Find similar apps for Android.

BlueFire Reader

An app for reading books (including those from the University Library), ePub documents or PDFs. The app includes options to highlight text, add notes or bookmark pages. More on Bluefire Reader (Apple devices) (Android devices)

Feedly

Organise, read and share the content of your favourite blogs, news sites, YouTube channels, RSS feeds etc. More on Feedly (Apple devices) (Android devices)

Goodreads

Discover book recommendations, keep track of what you want to read, review the books you've read. Includes a barcode scanner to add a book to your "to read" shelf. More on Goodreads (Apple devices) (Android devices)

Pocket

Save web pages, articles or videos to Pocket to read / view later even without an internet connection. More on Pocket (Apple devices) (Android devices)

SimpleMind

SimpleMind is a brainstorming, idea collection and thought structuring tool More on SimpleMind (Apple devices) and Android devices

Evernote

Take notes, capture photos, create to do lists, record voice reminders and store in searchable notebooks. More on Evernote (Apple devices) (Android devices)

Google Docs

Create, edit, and collaborate with others on documents. Open, edit, and save Microsoft Word documents. More on Google Docs (Apple devices) (Android devices)

Microsoft Word

View, create and edit docs. Unlock more features via your Office 365 subscription. More on Word (Apple devices) (Android devices)

Spell Better

Word prediction and auto-completion; context and phonetic spell checker; text to speech with word highlighting; fonts optimised for dyslexia; integrated English dictionary (with IPA symbols); audio pronunciation for common words.

Spell check examples:

real word spelling errors e.g. peace > piece

phonetic spelling errors e.g. preshius > precious

word boundary errors e.g. verynice > very nice

skipped and repeated letters e.g. probley > probably

missed vowels e.g. rly> really

homophone substitutions and other complex orthographic errors

More on Spell Better app (Apple devices only)

Find similar apps for Android devices

App Block: Stay Focussed

Block distracting applications temporarily on your device so that you can stay focussed, particularly when studying or revising. The blocker app can be activated for a precise time and date, and once the pre-set time duration is over, the blocked apps can be used again. More on App Block: Stay Focussed (Android devices)

CamScanner HD

Scan (i.e. digitise) paper documents using the camera in your mobile device; save the scanned documents as JPG or PDF files; edit and annotate image and text (CamScanner HD can recognize alphabetical characters); share your scans via the cloud or email. More on CamScanner (Apple devices) (Android devices)

Cisco AnyConnect

VPN client for mobile devices: this is necessary for searching for and downloading any e-resources (including research publications) that Loughborough University subscribes to. More on AnyConnect (Apple devices) (Android devices)

Focus Keeper Free: Work & Study Timer

Timer which helps you focus your work into timed chunks with a short break between each activity. Focus on a task until the timer rings then take a break. Customize the length of the focus sessions and breaks. Track your progress with charts. More on Focus Keeper Free (Apple devices) 

Free Graphing Calculator

Features include a scientific calculator, unit converter, mathematical reference formulas and the ability to graph up to four equations at once. More on Free Graphing Calculator (Apple devices only) Find graphic calculator apps for Android devices

Sounds: the pronunciation app

The free version includes interactive phonemic charts for British English and American English. Tap to hear a sound or tap and hold to hear the sound and an example word.        More on Sounds: pronunciation app (Apple devices) (Android devices)

Trello

Create boards to organise and plan tasks and projects, to do lists...                                                                                                                                                                More on Trello -  Apple devices; Android devices

Wunderlist

Use this app to create to-do-lists and reminders, and share them with others. Wunderlist can be synced across mobile devices and desktops.                                                      More on Wunderlist (Apple devices)  (Android devices)

Lynda.com

Lynda.com is a learning platform which has over 5000 video tutorials used to develop creative, software, technology and business skills for learning and teaching. Watch courses and videos on topics about your interests to enhance your personal skills.

Create playlists of videos and courses for yourself and others to watch. Download courses to watch offline. On completing a course, receive a certificate to display on your LinkedIn page.  Available on Android, Apple and a number of other platforms. For more information, visit the app webpage on Lynda.com.