Students: Which software and applications are allowed in class?

Modern education is increasingly connected, and today’s students have access to a multitude of software and applications to help them in their studies. However, not all applications are allowed in class, and it is important for students to know which software and applications are accepted and recommended in an educational context. So, how can one maximize productivity and academic success without cheating?

Authorized software and applications in class

As shown by the latest survey conducted by ExpressVPN, the software and applications used by students are increasingly numerous. Here are those that Dynseo considers essential.

1. Microsoft Office 365

• Microsoft Office 365 is a suite of essential productivity software for students. It includes tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, which are widely used in educational environments.

2. Google Workspace

• Google Workspace offers a suite of applications, including Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. These tools are ideal for online collaboration and document sharing between students and teachers.

3. Zoom

• Due to the rise of distance learning, Zoom has become an essential video conferencing tool for online classes. It allows students to participate in live sessions and ask questions in real-time.

4. Evernote

• Evernote is an extremely popular note-taking application. It allows students to organize their notes, synchronize them across multiple devices, and make them easily accessible during classes.

5. Trello

• Trello is a visual project management tool that can be useful for organizing tasks and assignments. Students can create boards to track their projects and academic goals.

Specific applications to improve spelling and grammar

Spelling and grammar are crucial skills in the academic field, and there are several applications available to help students strengthen these essential skills. Here are some of these applications, each offering unique benefits for learners:

1. Grammarly

• Grammarly is one of the most popular spelling and grammar tools, powered by artificial intelligence. It provides real-time assistance while writing documents, detecting grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and offering suggestions to improve clarity and writing style. Students can use it to enhance their assignments, essays, and research papers, which can positively impact their academic results.

2. ProWritingAid

• ProWritingAid is another powerful tool that analyzes text for grammatical errors, style issues, and coherence. It offers advice to improve sentence structure, word choice, and overall readability of writing. Students can use ProWritingAid to refine their academic writing, which can help them achieve better grades and communicate more effectively.

3. Hemingway Editor

• Hemingway Editor focuses on simplifying writing. It identifies complex sentences, unnecessary words, and difficult-to-understand sentence constructions. For students, this means clearer and more accessible writing, which is particularly important when writing academic papers and reports.

AI-based applications for learning

Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence have opened up exciting new possibilities in the field of education. Many educational applications now leverage the power of AI to provide students with more personalized, interactive, and effective learning experiences. In this section, we will explore some of these innovative applications and highlight the benefits they bring to learners.

1. Duolingo

• Duolingo is an AI-powered language learning application. It offers interactive courses that adapt the level of difficulty based on the user’s progress. Students can learn a variety of languages in a fun way.

2. Khan Academy

• Khan Academy uses AI to personalize the teaching of mathematics and sciences. It offers free courses, explanatory videos, and practical exercises to help students understand and master academic concepts.

3. Anki

• Anki is an AI-based application that uses spaced repetition to help students effectively memorize information, whether it be medical terms, mathematical formulas, or foreign languages.

Benefits for students

• Improvement of language skills: Spelling and grammar applications help students communicate more clearly and effectively, which is essential in all fields of study.
• Personalized learning: AI-based applications adapt to the individual needs of students, offering more effective and efficient learning.
• Learning flexibility: Students can use these applications at their own pace, which is particularly useful for those with busy schedules.
• Accessibility: Many applications are free or affordable, allowing students to benefit from quality education without excessive costs.

By incorporating these applications into their learning routine, students can strengthen their language skills, improve their understanding of academic subjects, and benefit from a more personalized and effective educational experience through artificial intelligence.

Specific applications to develop cognitive abilities

As a student, it is essential to develop and maintain strong cognitive abilities, including memory, concentration, and reasoning. These skills play a crucial role in academic success by allowing for faster knowledge assimilation and better problem-solving. One particularly interesting application that offers this opportunity is CLINT from Dynseo.

CLINT from Dynseo

Benefits for students: CLINT, short for “Optimal Training Game,” is a brain training application designed to stimulate and develop users’ cognitive abilities. This engaging application offers a variety of activities and games aimed at enhancing memory, logic, concentration, and general knowledge.

• Memory development: CLINT offers specific games that help improve both short-term and long-term memory, which can be particularly useful when learning new information and preparing for exams.
• Improvement of concentration: The concentration games included in CLINT help students increase their ability to stay focused for longer periods, which is essential for productive study sessions.
• Enhancement of general knowledge: In addition to stimulating cognitive abilities, CLINT also offers games and quizzes that enrich users’ general knowledge, a valuable asset for succeeding in studies.

By integrating CLINT from Dynseo into their learning routine, students can benefit from a more comprehensive mental preparation for their classes and exams, while developing skills that are essential for excelling in their studies. This application offers a playful approach to improving cognitive abilities while expanding the base of general knowledge.

Discover CLINT

Applications to avoid in class

1. Social networks

• Social networks like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can be major distractions in class. Students are advised to disable them during class hours.

2. Online games

• Online games can be extremely addictive and seriously disrupt concentration in class. Avoid using them during lessons.

3. Instant messaging applications

• Although instant messaging applications are useful for staying in touch with friends, they can be distracting in class. Limit their use during class hours.

Tips for effective use of software and applications in class

• Ensure that you comply with the school’s policies regarding the use of applications and software in class.
• Avoid overloading your device with too many unnecessary applications that could slow down your productivity.
• Learn to fully utilize the features of authorized applications to optimize your academic work.

Thus, the choice of software and applications you use in class can have a significant impact on your academic success. It is essential to know the authorized tools and use them effectively to maximize your productivity and learning. By avoiding distractions and making wise use of available technologies, students can enhance their educational experience and achieve better results.

Applications for time management and productivity

Time management is crucial for students, especially with the multitude of tasks to accomplish. Several applications can help better organize their schedules and improve productivity. Here are some of the best recommended applications:

• Toggl: A time tracking tool that allows students to measure how much time they spend on each task, thus facilitating better management of their schedules.
• Forest: An application that encourages concentration by planting virtual trees when the user commits to not using their phone for a set period. This helps avoid distractions.
• Todoist: A task manager that allows students to create task lists, set deadlines, and track their progress, which is essential for staying organized.

Applications for collaboration and group work

With the growing importance of teamwork in the academic environment, several applications facilitate collaboration among students. Here are some tools that can be particularly useful:

• Slack: A communication platform that allows students to create channels for different projects, thus facilitating the exchange of ideas and file sharing.
• Miro: A collaborative online whiteboard that allows students to brainstorm, create mind maps, and work together on visual projects.
• Google Drive: An online storage service that allows for file sharing and real-time collaboration on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Applications for mental well-being and stress management

It is essential for students to take care of their mental well-being, especially during exam periods or heavy workloads. Here are some applications that can help manage stress and promote relaxation:

• Headspace: A meditation application that offers guided sessions to help reduce stress and improve concentration.
• Calm: An application dedicated to relaxation with stories for sleep, calming music, and breathing exercises to help manage anxiety.
• MyStudyLife: In addition to managing tasks and schedules, this application includes features to track exams and assignments, which can reduce stress related to organization.

Applications for learning practical skills

Beyond academic subjects, it is also important for students to acquire practical skills that will be useful in their professional lives. Here are some applications that can help develop these skills:

• Codecademy: An online learning platform that offers programming courses in various languages, ideal for students wishing to venture into web or software development.
• Canva: A graphic design tool that allows students to create professional visuals for projects, presentations, or social media, without needing prior design skills.
• LinkedIn Learning: A platform that offers online courses on a variety of topics ranging from digital marketing to project management, allowing students to acquire sought-after skills in the job market.