Top Five: Revision Tech

With long days studying in Edward Boyle becoming more and more of a necessity, here’s five different websites, apps and gadgets that help make revision that bit easier…

 

Cloud Storage: Dropbox/Google Drive/Microsoft SkyDrive

Ever lose a USB stick? You’re much better off using one of these three cloud storage services, which offer 2GB, 5GB and 7GB of storage respectively for free, with extra space for a monthly fee. Once signed-up, you install software to your computer that creates a folder on your hard drive. Any files you place in this folder will be automatically synced to the cloud. All of these services then allow you to access your files online or through a mobile app, allowing you to access all of your documents wherever you are. You’ll never lose your revision notes again.

 

iTunes U

This free iOS app allows you to get educational videos, lectures and materials from many leading academic institutions. Unfortunately, the University of Leeds doesn’t currently offer any iTunes U content however there’s plenty of courses to explore in many different subjects and disciplines. The content is also available to download on computers via iTunes if iOS isn’t your cup of tea. If you feel like brushing up on The Great Gatsby or advanced quadratic equations, iTunes U offers your iPhone or iPad to do something more productive than top your Angry Birds Space high score…

 

The Student Room (thestudentroom.co.uk)

This online forum needs little introduction. With sub-forums on topics from music to sex advice, The Student Room has been long established as the place for students to discuss literally anything. There’s also large forums dedicated to revision and academic help, with thousands of like-minded students from across the country. Simply post a question and patiently wait for someone to answer with some helpful advice. Do remember the amateur nature of the responses though; you could end up more confused than when you started…

 

Livescribe Smartpen Echo

You have a smartphone and a smart TV, but where’s your smartpen? Livescribe’s pens have the ability to record audio as you make notes, perfect for lectures. When it comes to revision, simply tap your pen over a note (the pen uses special paper for this) and you’ll hear what the lecturer was saying as you were making that note. The pen’s capabilities far exceed simple audio recording; it has a party trick of allowing you to play the piano by drawing out the keys and tapping on them accordingly! With prices starting at £79 (for a 2GB pen), this is far from your usual biro…

 

Evernote Peek

Flash cards are so last-decade. If you have an iPad and a smart cover, then this free app allows you to use notes you’ve saved to your Evernote account as study aids. Simply use the free Evernote app to create your revision notes and use Evernote Peek to help revise them. Lift up the first flap on your smart cover to reveal a question, and lift your cover back further to reveal the full answer. Why use pen and paper when £400 of gadgetry will do the job just as well?