Tech for Learning
These tools can help you:
- organise what you need to do
- stay focused
- use your time efficiently
Your device might already have time management tools such as alarms, timers, reminders and to-do lists.
Mind Mapping Tools
Mindview
Mindview is 'brain-storming' or 'mind mapping' software. It can help organise essays, arranging notes, planning presentations, etc
This software is available on all university networked PCs.
A free and open source Mind Mapping program for Windows, Mac and Linux. There is also a version for Windows that is able to run without installation. Xmind has a good choice of templates to get you started.
If you're familiar with other mind mapping programs such as MindView, which is on Plymouth student computers, this is very similar.
The free version has a good selection of features without the time limit of a trial version, so can be used for as long as you wish, however all the exported files will have a watermark of Xmind trial mode.
iThoughtsDesigned for iPhone / iPad. One of iThoughts strengths is that it can export a mind map in a variety of formats, including Mindview, Mindmanager, XMind etc. using either iCloud Drive or DropBox. This allows you to open your mind map in other mind mapping programs on Windows and Mac too.
Requires: iOS 8.2 or later.
There is a free version, iThoughts2go, with which you can create and export your mindmaps, but cannot edit them.
A desktop version of iThoughts is also available from the Mac app store.
A free and open source Mind Mapping program for Windows, Mac and Linux. There is also a version for Windows that is able to run without installation. Xmind has a good choice of templates to get you started.
If you're familiar with other mind mapping programs such as MindView, which is on Plymouth student computers, this is very similar.
The free version has a good selection of features without the time limit of a trial version, so can be used for as long as you wish, however all the exported files will have a watermark of Xmind trial mode.
SimpleMind +SimpleMind + is a colourful and easy to use mindmapping app for both iOS and Android.
The free version enables you to create mindmaps, change colours and add notes to your map. There is a paid for version, which adds additional functionality, such as printing, add links to documents, and the ability to insert photos into your map.
Requires: iOS 6 or later or Android 3.0 or later.
There is also a desktop version for both Windows and Mac, although these have a 30 day trial, rather than a free version.
Time Management Tools
Google Keep
​Google Keep is a colourful, organisational app, based on a noticeboard layout. You can add text, photos, reminders, lists, audio and then colour code each one. Ideas and notes you wish to keep, but are no longer recent, can be archived for access later, preventing the main screen from becoming cluttered. Important notes can be pinned to the top of the board, so you always see them first. You can also set reminders. Google Keep requires a Google account to work. Find it here