Smartphones as learning tool for students

Nowadays, many students in Nigeria are using smartphones, but they are not using this tool well for learning.

Meanwhile, there are thousands of mobile applications available that can make learning and education fun for both students and their teachers/instructors.

On one hand, learning can be virtual, you can access learning courses digitally, anytime, anywhere, in the world. Thanks to online resources such as Udacity, Edx, W3Schools. On the other hand, it can be real, you can be available physically for face-to-face meetings with teachers and instructors or other students.

This focuses on virtual learning where you can use your smartphone devices to access courses anywhere in the world.

There are various mobile applications available on Google Play Store or Apple App Store that can enhance and make learning fun for students.

You can download these apps on your smartphone to either enhance or stimulate your learning experience.

Below are some of the apps you could download:

1. Udacity:

With Udacity, you can start or advance your career with courses like Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Marketing, Web and App Development, and many more.

You can personalise your learning process, learn at your own convenience, and track your progress. There is also a forum for each of the courses available on the platform.

You can enroll on Udacity’s website for free or nanodegree programs. There are also scholarship opportunities available for the nanodegree courses powered by giant tech organisations like Google.

2. Edx:

EdX offers what it calls Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) to job seekers, professionals, students, teachers, homeschoolers, high school students preparing for college, and anyone looking to improve their skills for professional and continuing education purposes.

With Edx you can test your knowledge with quizzes and download handouts any time you like.

Courses available on Edx are from various top universities in the world such as Harvard University, MIT, Tsinghua University.

A certificate is often issued on completion of courses. This is usually after you might have completed all the learning modules, practice sets and exams.

3. Brainfriend:

This is an e-learning app developed by Cinfores Limited and endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria. It has over 50,000 questions which can be used to prepare for various exams such as Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), West African Examination Council (WAEC), NECO, A level exams.

The app was designed for students in both primary and secondary schools, as well as those who are seeking for jobs. It is packed with verbal reasoning and current affairs questions, among others.

Brainfriend is a premium app. You have to pay some money to access the features of the app.

4. Merriam Webster Dictionary:

This app was developed by Merriam-Webster Inc. It contains the meaning of several English language words.

You can use this app for vocabulary building. It also has game features that will help you learn new words and test your vocabulary in a fun way. It has thesaurus entry for each word.

When you check for a word, it will also show you an illustration of how to use the word in sentences in your day to day activities.

You should try out these apps on your smartphone. If you have no smartphone, you can buy from XRight on www.xright.ng