12 Terrific Tech Tools

Written by Brooke Anderson

Picture this, it’s 11:58pm on a Sunday and you have five chapters of Shakespeare to miserably misinterpret, math homework with numbers that extend beyond your attention span, and flashcards that refuse to write themselves. Have you ever been there before? Yeah, me neither.

Even if you are the perfect student who absolutely never procrastinates or falls victim to the “next episode” button on your favorite show, you can still get extra help with your schoolwork by using the resources listed below! These sites can give you the chance to go the extra mile on every project, essay, exam, and any other assignment on your to-do list. (Yes, even on discussion posts!)

So, the next time you need some extra support on an assignment or simply just want to up your game, check out these uber-helpful resources! Please keep in mind that this is not a formal recommendation from the school, but rather, handy tips from one student to another.

For Writing Review:

1. Grammarly is a website and Google Chrome extension that corrects your grammar, spelling, punctuation, tone and more. Some Grammarly features are limited to those with a premium membership, but plenty of help is still available with their free features.
2. Ginger Software is similar to Grammarly in that it is a web extension that revamps your writing. Ginger can offer suggestions to help you rephrase, revise, and rewrite when necessary. Ginger Software also offers a premium plan, but once again, many free resources are still at hand.

For General Audience

1. Khan Academy provides materials for a wide variety of subjects for students of all ages. It is a free website that uses short lessons, videos, and exercises to help students get extra practice and learning time. Khan Academy also has resources for test prep and general life skills!
2. Shmoop is a website that can help with anything from providing study guides to prep materials for college. It also has a name that’s fun to say, so that’s a bonus. Their main focus is to find funny ways to explain information that can sometimes seem puzzling, boring or even daunting at first. If you need help learning about scholarships or brushing up on your chemistry, then Shmoop is the place to go.
3. SparkNotes is great for breaking down texts that can initially be confusing! It’s No Fear Shakespeare study guides can help translate some of old Willy’s greatest plays. (Because sometimes iambic pentameter can make your head spin.) SparkNotes also provides study guides for other famous pieces of literature, so you can ensure that you have a better understanding of its themes, character arcs, and plot twists. Still not interested? Me thinks thou doth protest too much!
4. TED-Ed is a Youtube channel that aims to answer all your burning questions like “why are sloths slow?” and “is teleportation possible?” and of course, “why do humans have a third eyelid?” (because apparently, we do). TED-Ed has a wide variety of videos guaranteed to pique your interest.

For a Study Sesh:

1. Quizlet is a life-saver. It is a gem. It is a flashcards app, but so much more. (Cue the choir of angels). If you haven’t heard of Quizlet, it is a website and application that can help you tackle any test. It allows you to enter terms and definitions, which it then organizes into flashcards, matching games, and customizable tests. You can also create study plans to ensure that you are on-track to master the subject before the test day. (Much better than cramming the night before!)
2. CrashCourse is a Youtube channel created by brothers, John and Hank Green, that explains concepts from many different subjects. This channel is especially great for learners who thrive off of visuals, because there are plenty of ways in which topics are literally illustrated for students. The brainy brothers who do all the explaining have energetic personalities that are sure to liven up even the most mundane of matters.

For Crunching Numbers