Tech for back-to-school that can impart new knowledge
The summer break is winding down, and it’s nearly time to return to school, right? Have you sharpened your pencils, sorted out your lunches, and cleaned and pressed your uniform? Probably not. No stress: technology’s here to help.
In the upcoming month, GadgetLad will be rolling out back-to-school tech insights for everyone: whether you’re a student, educator, youngster, or even an old timer, if you’re connected to education. We’ll be highlighting student offers and savings and suggesting the gadgets essential for learning or sprucing up their spaces. Plus, we’ll recommend apps that can aid in learning, chilling out, and staying sharp throughout the semester.
Why not explore the top back-to-school tech suggestions from our pals at Macworld and PCWorld? With a wealth of expertise in education, parenting, and technology, you can trust that we’re delivering the best tips for your back-to-school shopping spree.
Continue reading to discover:
- Applications and services designed to alleviate anxiety and stress, keeping your mind healthy and primed for learning
- Technology that can help you catch some Zs, ensuring you remain energized during the school term
- Apps that can enhance your educational journey
- Gadgets that can locate school bags left on buses, easing your concerns about kids venturing out of your sight for the first time
- Devices that might inspire college and university students to eat better than beans on toast, without draining their student loan
- Technologies to maintain cleanliness in their student accommodations, creating a more homely atmosphere
- Ways students can save money on nearly everything (including technology) through fantastic deals and student discounts
- Innovative tech that could reshape future education – and provide teachers new challenges
Back-to-school tech you may have overlooked
When considering back-to-school tech, your thoughts likely drift to tablets, laptops (especially laptops suitable for students), and Chromebooks, digital devices used for research, writing, and submitting assignments, along with laptop cases to carry your gear and textbooks.
You might also consider software like Microsoft Office – with Word for essays, OneDrive for storage, and Teams for virtual collaboration. Or perhaps Google Classroom suits your needs better.
Many schools feature apps designed to keep you updated on class schedules, assignments, detentions, and future excursions via your smartphone – assuming you’re allowed to have it in class, of course.
All of this is vital, undoubtedly. We will be covering all the best student offers and savings on back-to-school technology, and you can catch up on our rundowns of the top tablets, laptops, and Chromebooks. But we’re particularly focused on lesser-known technologies, or the tools you might never have considered before.
Enhancing mental health awareness for empowered learning
Those who believe students have it easy seem to have forgotten their own youthful struggles; anxiety and stress are genuine obstacles for learners of every age, whether it’s finding their rhythm, coping with workload, tackling unrealistic expectations, or managing teenage issues… the list is extensive.
While it’s essential to be mindful of screen time, technology can also provide a breather for your brain, which is crucial for absorbing knowledge. For some, relaxation could mean gaming; for others, it might be streaming tunes or films (there are streaming discounts for students aplenty, with some even including extra content via a VPN, so check out the Best VPN offers for students); and for others, it could be playing their own instruments. Whatever your preference, tech provides a rhythm.
A good night’s sleep is crucial for mental well-being – we spoke with a sleep expert on how a smartwatch can improve your rest. Devices like Kokoon Nightbuds, rings such as the Oura Ring, and light alarms can assist in monitoring and enhancing sleep quality, leading to improved rest. Enjoying audiobooks on a smart speaker can help you nod off while learning something new (check out Audible for some excellent audiobooks).
And let’s not forget mobile applications: there exists a plethora of apps to manage anxiety and stress, ranging from Aura to Calm, Breathwrk to Headspace.
Back-to-school applications and online educational resources
…And we have a myriad of educational applications. Want to inspire younger children to read? Try Epic: Kids’ Books & Reading, and monitor their reading milestones with Bookly. Missed the reading assignment? Check out StoryShots. Struggling with math or science? Dive into Khan Academy or Photomath. Seeking a note-taking or to-do list tool? Give Evernote a shot. Want to proofread before submitting papers? Try Grammarly. Convert reading into listening with Peech. Brush up on languages? Check out Duolingo or Babbel. Want to learn something fresh? How about Udemy. Looking to challenge your knowledge? Quizlet is there for you. Unsure what to include in the lunchbox? LaLa Lunchbox – iPhone exclusive; Android users just keep looking.
Not long ago, people relied on physical dictation machines for note-taking. Nowadays, Windows, Android, and iOS all come with dictation capabilities – if you’re seeking something more sophisticated, check Otter.
These are merely a few of the multitude of app-based educational resources at your disposal, so go ahead, take a look. Uncover even more online learning platforms in our comprehensive guide.
Technology can also assist concerned parents
If you’re a parent with kids just beginning school or heading off to university, it can be stressful letting them out of view.
Many parents choose their child’s first smartphone for easier communication or tracking. However, while there are simple phones and affordable prepaid options available, don’t rush into giving them a phone until they’re prepared.
Another alternative is a smartwatch, which also offers tracking capabilities. Fitbit’s line of smartwatches for children, including the new Fitbit Ace LTE, could be suitable. Just bear in mind, schools may enforce a strict no-phones and no-smartwatches policy.
A more budget-friendly option might be a Bluetooth tracker, like the Tile Mate. Attach it to their school bag and always know where they’ve left it. Or at least where their bag is when it’s forgotten on the school bus. (Textbooks aren’t cheap, you know.)
For older kids who can take care of themselves, concerns may center more around proper nutrition rather than tracking them. And when we say eating properly, we mean more than just beans on toast.
An air fryer might be the answer: it’ll assist in saving money when funds are tight, and it’s compact enough for student housing (just confirm it’s permitted). Our Group Home Tech Editor, Emma, survived solely on air fryer meals for one month and lived to tell about it.
Concerned about them keeping their space organized? A robot vacuum could assist in tidying up. They can program a schedule, then forget about it.
Students receive the best discounts (on tech, and much more)
Being a student isn’t inexpensive, even if tuition is taken care of, and finding time for a part-time job isn’t easy without jeopardizing your grades. Numerous companies provide student discounts, so always check for opportunities to save money before purchasing, well, anything.
For tech offers, all major retailers have student discounts: Apple, Microsoft, Dell, HP, Adobe, Samsung, and Google, to name a few. Students may even get Office 365 free. Both Amazon Prime and YouTube also extend student discounts.
UniDays is an excellent resource for student discounts, covering tech and other categories. You can also check out StudentBeans.
AI could revolutionize future education
We believed that Amazon Alexa-enabled Echo speakers, Google Assistant-supported Nest devices, and the Apple Siri-integrated HomePod would transform education, providing students with answers to their homework through a simple voice command. Some even worried that using these digital helpers might diminish our ability to think. Scary, right?
However, AI (Artificial Intelligence) has advanced far beyond smart voice assistants and could revolutionize education with tailored tuition, study programs, and lesson plans. It could become a significant aid in research and review.
Nevertheless, AI also presents risks, such as disseminating false information, and fostering cheating and plagiarism.
If you are considering using AI for your dissertation, remember: what remains hidden from plain sight can be detected by AI tools (like Surfer). Believe us, educators are well aware of what they’re doing. Don’t take chances.
Additional back-to-school tech recommendations
We’ve only skimmed the surface of how technology can assist in ways you may have never imagined for education. For more tech suggestions, browse our Back to School section.
Class Finished: But Tech Continues to Assist
There you have it! A straightforward exploration of technology that’ll support you throughout the academic year, even if school may become a hassle at times. GadgetLad is dedicated to equipping you with the knowledge and devices to make this year more manageable. So, get started and let tech assist you!
