After purchasing an iPhone or iPod Touch, maybe even both, you may be wondering what apps are available to support your learning in current or future adult education courses. Wonder no more! There are a number of free and low cost applications available for use in college education or continuing education courses.
These education apps are designed to take advantage of the digital capabilities of iPod Touches and iPhones. They also reduce or even eliminate the need for other digital devices, such as a Netbook computer. One example is an app which turns an iPod Touch into a graphing calculator. There are also several EBook applications which allow you to read books and documents in plain text, PDF, html, Kindle, or Nook formats.
The following are 10 education programs suitable for adult education. These are a sample of what is available from the iTunes App store.
Utilities for Mobile Devices
These are general education programs which are appropriate for adult education courses.
Google Search – is designed for the iPhone and is also compatible with the iPod Touch. The main advantage of this program is the ability to access Google docs, tasks, reader, and calendar. You can also take pictures of an object or place and the feature Google Goggles searches the web to identify the object or place. (Free)
Evernote – offers the capability to record notes for research or class. Additional features include saving web pages, images, text documents, and audio files. An important attribute is the ability to sync information gathered on an iPhone or iPod Touch with any computer or web-based storage program. (Free)
Blackboard Mobile – is designed to permit access to a school’s Blackboard software which is used for web-based teaching and learning course software. This program takes mobile learning to a new level by avoiding the need to access the software by computer only. To use this app, an education institution should enable mobile access to their software. (Free)
Dropbox – offers the capability to save images, text documents, PDF files, and videos to web-based data storage (often referred to as cloud computing) for access later. This is convenient when sharing research and course information with classmates. (Free)
Mathematics Calculator Apps
Tired of carrying a scientific calculator or graphing calculator to class or trying to keep track of it when it is time to complete course assignments? Try these out!
PI83 Graphing Calculator – accurately replicates the features of Texas Instrument’s TI-83 graphing calculator. This inexpensive program eliminates the need for a purchasing or carrying this type of calculator to class ever again. ($0.99)
PCalc Lite Calculator – is a free version of the PCalc RPN version, except with limitations. These restrictions include not containing all scientific calculator capabilities of the Pcalc RPN Calculator, which sells for $9.99. However, trying out the Lite version before purchasing the more costly version is advisable if you are unsure about its capabilities. (Free)
My Calculator Pro – provides the capability to plot 2D and 3D graphs with a single touch in the program’s. This app also works as a scientific calculator, with the ability to complete trig functions and complex numbers. ($3.99)
Science Programs
Any of the previously mentioned mathematics calculator applications are valuable for adult education science course work. The following programs have features which are just as useful.
Science Glossary – is designed to support college level science courses such as biology, physics, science processes, toxicology, and pharmacology. This helpful when listening to a lecture or reading textbooks using unfamiliar scientific terms. (Free)
Molecules – offers the capability to view molecules listed in the NCBI PubChem in three-dimension. These views are rotatable, permitting 360 degree viewing of molecule models.
The Chemical Touch – provides information on each element within the periodic table of elements in any course requiring reference to known elements. This application also provides the capability to research the properties of amino acids. ($0.99)
These are just a sample of the hundreds of programs for iPod touches and iPhones available at the iTunes App store. Another feature of several of these applications is their compatibility with the iPad, as well. If you were unaware of these specific convenient tools then check them out and all the others available today.
Sources:
- iTunes App Store by Apple
- NCBI PubChem website maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information which is supported by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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