9 Best Back-to-School Apps 2021

Tue. 03 Aug. 202134184

It’s back-to-school time again! Whether you’re excited about the new school year or need some inspiration; whether you’re a new teacher or student; whether you’re teaching or studying in a classroom or online, teachers and students will benefit from education technology tools. 


Here is the list of the back-to-school apps to get your new academic year off to the best possible start. These apps will help you with classwork, homework, and studying, and also keep you in touch with the world outside of school activities. Now all you need to remember to do is use them.


Top 9 Essential Back-to-School Apps for Teachers & Students

1. Google Classroom

2. Vico SmartBoard

3. PDF Reader Pro

4. Trello

5. Nearpod

6. OnlyOffice

7. Edmodo

8. TED

9. Runkeeper


Best Apps for Back to School

Image Source: THE VERGE



1. Google Classroom

Google Classroom

Google Classroom makes teaching more productive and meaningful by streamlining assignments, boosting collaboration, and fostering communication. Educators can create classes, distribute assignments, send feedback, and see everything in one place. This classroom app also seamlessly integrates with other Google tools like Google Docs and Drive. Google Classroom serves as a perfect companion for both teachers & students.


You can access Classroom using the web on a computer with any browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari. In general, Classroom supports major browser releases on a continual basis. Classroom app is also available for Android and Apple iOS mobile devices.



2. Vico SmartBoard

Vico Smartboard

Vico SmartBoard is a mobile app for teachers and tutors to teach students remotely using real-world mechanics such as drawing boards, separate workspaces, and voice communication. Teachers and students can make dynamic presentations that involve different types of media in this innovative, fun app.

Available on iOS



3. PDF Reader Pro

PDF Reader Pro

Having to work with PDF files is a fact of life, and PDF Reader Pro makes that task a little easier. This app allows teachers and students to fill out forms and merge PDFs with a host of tools for editing, annotating and signing. It is useful to quickly find relevant information in educational materials scanned and converted into searchable PDF documents with the OCR (Optical Character Recognition) feature. 


With this app, you can delete PDF content and replace it with new text and graphics, modify font color and size, insert rectangle link, etc. Easily convert PDF documents to Word, Excel, HTML, images, PPT, etc. Turn image and MS Office formats to PDF. Use PDF Reader Pro to customize documents your way with easy-to-use editing tools. Definitely worth downloading and trying out!

Available on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android



4. Trello

Trello

Group projects can be difficult when everyone is operating on a different schedule and page. Fortunately, Trello lets students stay organized, providing handy tools designed to keep them on task. The app allows them to create checklists, upload images, and assign tasks to other users among other actions, while conveniently syncing content across devices via the cloud. Content is displayed within a card-peppered interface, with options to easily delete tasks once completed. You can add outside elements like photos or links, directly to Trello, for immediate viewing. The app honors your last card so that when returning to the app, you’ll get right back to the last board or card you were viewing.

Available on iOS and Android



5. Nearpod

Nearpod

Nearpod offers teachers an easy-to-use tool for creating interactive lesson plans, presentations, assessments, and digital content. Nearpod allows teachers to create digital lesson plans, share it with students during class, and track individual progress. Lessons are comprised of teacher-created slides that can include text, video, images, websites, questions, quizzes, polls, and assignments. Students are able to follow the lesson on their own devices at their own pace or teachers can lead a synchronized session where students can follow the lesson in real-time.

Available on iPhone, iPad and Android



6. OnlyOffice

Onlyoffice Documents

OnlyOffice is a complete school and business based cloud and on-site document management system. The application is available over a number of platforms and comes in a range of free and subscribed packages. This cloud service is compatible with MS Office formats and comes in at an affordable subscription price compared to others. The application is available in a number of different languages.

Available on iPhone, iPad and Android



7. Edmodo

Edmodo

Edmodo is a full-featured social learning platform designed to connect and collaborate within the educational environment. It is a social media network which is not only perfect for teachers and students but also for parents or guardians to use to share information in school. It collaborates and connects, shares content and gets access to homework, school notices and grades.


Mostly, teachers can use Edmodo as an online blackboard and inbox. They can post polls, quizzes, and assignment guidelines, and invite students to submit finished assignments. There are various ways to use Edmodo as teachers including to communicate with your students when you’re out of the classroom, or provide updates to students who are absent from class , facilitate project based learning in your classroom by leveraging Edmodo’s small-group feature.

Available on iPhone, iPad and Android



8. TED

TED

You can’t go wrong with TED. The organization’s official app houses hundreds of inspiring and intriguing TED Talks, featuring fascinating lectures from industry and subject experts spanning a wide swath of topics such as neuroscience, traditional folk music, human evolution, and many more. TED Talks make a perfect conversation-starter for classroom discussion or debate or help teachers brainstorm topics for future lessons.

Available on iOS and Android



9. Runkeeper

Runkeeper

Staying active isn't just about working out---it's also about making sure that you don't sit at a desk all day, which is all too easy to do when you are studying all day! There are a lot of GPS fitness trackers, but Runkeeper is one of the best ways to use GPS and see what your activity looks like day-to-day.

Runkeeper can track your runs, hikes, walks, or just about any physical activity in real time. You can set fitness goals or just let the app nudge you to get more active if you have been sitting around for long.

Available on iOS and Android



Final Thoughts

If you're looking for efficient ways edtech can support your teaching and studying in the 2021 school year, this list is here to help. These top-rated apps ranging from instructional support to organizational tools and beyond that can enhance your education rather than hinder it. All are worth checking out!


If you're looking for an awesome productivity app, the list begins and ends with PDF Reader Pro - a productive software to solve all your PDF problems. Stay tuned to the 2021 Back-to-School sale and save BIG for your new semester!

Get Started with PDF Reader Pro Today!