Connected Learning and Improving Productivity: Resources for students

By Gabriella Ezeani

Productivity Type	Tool	Description
Reading	Sticky Notes	So many things to do- I forget……….. · Find Windows sticky notes- (Accessories) · When you open sticky notes a blank post it will appear- type your reminder. · Add more notes to your screen using the + button · Right click to change colour (different subjects) · Your notes will appear when you restart your computer · Delete a note when task complete
Claroread Chrome (Text to Speech)	Too much to read or slow reading speed You can use the Claroread Chrome/ Clarospeak iOS app to: read text to you. – Works with web pages, PDFs (viewed in browser) and Google Docs. – You can change voice settings, background screen colour – Claroread will highlight the sentence it is reading
Evernote Web Clipper	Not easy to see text/ easily distracted while reading on a screen. Use Evernote web clipper’s simplified article setting to simplify processing information
Organisation	Wunderlist	Need to plan a project or collaborate with others/ simply need to remember food shopping? Available as a Chrome extension, website & app. Extension- New tabs take you to current to-do lists (add more tasks or complete existing) Website & app- create folders for different types of ‘To-Do’s’. Add deadlines or stars for priority. Share list with others (e.g. flatmates- shopping) Get notifications when others have added to-do/ completed tasks.
Xmind	· Structure and rearrange thoughts · Display visually as an aide memoire · Compile documents in one place · Plan projects · Paid software- can then export to Word in linear format
Notetaking	Sonocent Recorder App	Use Sonocent recorder/ full version of Audio notetaker * Record Capture brief notes Match to slides/ images Create topic sections Categorise info by colour Easily navigate and edit audio* Search for key words* Filter by colour* (cut down listening)
Writing	Google Docs – Voice Typing	If you find it easier to talk through your ideas, or if spelling gets in the way, you may like to try writing with your voice. You can use speech recognition for whole paragraphs or individual words- whichever works best for you.
Distractions	Noisili	Too difficult to work when lots of things are going on around: Using headphones, you can use Noisli to block out external noise and replace with sound combinations to boost productivity or help relax. · Save & share favourite noise combos · Set timer for productivity (Pomodoro technique) · Distraction free word processor
Attention/ procrastination	Forest App	If most of your distraction comes from your phone- open Forest app and select a time frame for concentration & a tree will grow
Leech Block	Block particular sites that you use when procrastinating. – Block between certain times of day – Block after a certain amount of use (e.g. 5 minutes per hour) – Set a timer to view how long spending on procrastinating websites. Redirect to productive site
Relaxation	Headspace	Mindfulness exercises for different aspects of daily life (cooking, breathing exercises etc) Free exercises available but premium services available for students at a discounted rate.
Wellbeing	Sleepio	Online programme of cognitive behavioural therapy which aims to help people address cognitive factors that can affect insomnia
Exampanic	Counselling service pilot website. Explains the physiological and emotional effects of exam stress

Productivity Type

Tool

Description

Reading

Sticky Notes

So many things to do- I forget………..

· Find Windows sticky notes- (Accessories)

· When you open sticky notes a blank post it will appear- type your reminder.

· Add more notes to your screen using the + button

· Right click to change colour (different subjects)

· Your notes will appear when you restart your computer

· Delete a note when task complete

Claroread Chrome (Text to Speech)

Too much to read or slow reading speed

You can use the Claroread Chrome/ Clarospeak iOS app to: read text to you.

– Works with web pages, PDFs (viewed in browser) and Google Docs.

– You can change voice settings, background screen colour

– Claroread will highlight the sentence it is reading

Evernote Web Clipper

Not easy to see text/ easily distracted while reading on a screen. Use Evernote web clipper’s simplified article setting to simplify processing information

Organisation

Wunderlist

Need to plan a project or collaborate with others/ simply need to remember food shopping?

Available as a Chrome extension, website & app.

Extension- New tabs take you to current to-do lists (add more tasks or complete existing)
Website & app- create folders for different types of ‘To-Do’s’. Add deadlines or stars for priority. Share list with others (e.g. flatmates- shopping) Get notifications when others have added to-do/ completed tasks.

Xmind

· Structure and rearrange thoughts

· Display visually as an aide memoire

· Compile documents in one place

· Plan projects

· Paid software- can then export to Word in linear format

Notetaking

Sonocent Recorder App

Use Sonocent recorder/ full version of Audio notetaker *

Record
Capture brief notes
Match to slides/ images
Create topic sections
Categorise info by colour
Easily navigate and edit audio*
Search for key words*
Filter by colour* (cut down listening)

Writing

Google Docs – Voice Typing

If you find it easier to talk through your ideas, or if spelling gets in the way, you may like to try writing with your voice. You can use speech recognition for whole paragraphs or individual words- whichever works best for you.

Distractions

Noisili

Too difficult to work when lots of things are going on around: Using headphones, you can use Noisli to block out external noise and replace with sound combinations to boost productivity or help relax.

· Save & share favourite noise combos

· Set timer for productivity (Pomodoro technique)

· Distraction free word processor

Attention/ procrastination

Forest App

If most of your distraction comes from your phone- open Forest app and select a time frame for concentration & a tree will grow

Leech Block

Block particular sites that you use when procrastinating.

– Block between certain times of day

– Block after a certain amount of use (e.g. 5 minutes per hour)

– Set a timer to view how long spending on procrastinating websites. Redirect to productive site

Relaxation

Headspace

Mindfulness exercises for different aspects of daily life (cooking, breathing exercises etc) Free exercises available but premium services available for students at a discounted rate.

Wellbeing

Sleepio

Online programme of cognitive behavioural therapy which aims to help people address cognitive factors that can affect insomnia

Exampanic

Counselling service pilot website. Explains the physiological and emotional effects of exam stress

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