We are frequently asked by parents for app recommendations, for anything ranging from assistive technology for neurodivergent students to more simple productivity tools. By way of a more comprehensive answer, here is a list of digital tools that may be useful to students across a variety of spaces in school and in life. Some of these app recommendations are the result of research, some come from our personal experience, and many come recommended straight from the students themselves!
This is a space that is always changing as new tools are developed and others go obsolete, so consider this a snapshot from July 2023. We hope to update this list occasionally as new technologies prove themselves useful.
Apps to assist with learning
Voice to text
Voice to text apps may assist students who have learning challenges associated with writing, or any “verbal processors” out there who simply find it faster and easier to talk through their ideas than to write them down. It can take a while to become accustomed to dictating, so we would recommend students try a few times before giving up on it. The good news is that your operating system or software probably already has a dictation feature installed, so students can try it out for free:
- Microsoft 365: Microsoft 365 has a voice-to-text feature which is built into their apps (e.g. Word, OneNote and Outlook).
- Google Docs: For users of Google Docs and the Chrome browser, a voice-typing feature can be found in the “Tools” section of Google Docs.
- Apple Dictation: For apple users, there is also a built in dictation feature which can be enabled in system settings and allows the user to dictate text anywhere within the Apple system.
Source: Microsoft Word Support
These free options will suit most students. However, if a student makes very frequent use of voice to text and desires more reliable dictation attuned to their own voice, they may benefit from software developed specifically for this purpose. Dragon Professional is the leading paid version available today.
Text to voice 
Students with dyslexia or other learning differences affecting their reading may benefit from text to voice technology for reading notes or digital textbooks. As for voice to text, there are free versions available on most devices:
- Microsoft 365 Read Aloud: Available in Microsoft Office apps, including as part of an “immersive reader” function which allows the user to modify the way text appears and read along.
- Apple Spoken Content: A feature can be enabled in the system settings that allows the user to have any screen or text selection read aloud.
Students who make frequent use of text to voice may benefit from installing software that will give them more flexible and better-quality voice options, such as Natural Reader or Speechify.
For aid with reading required texts for English, students with ADHD or who find the focus demands of long reading stints challenging should consider making use of audiobook apps like Audible. For maximal benefit, students should read along in their physical book while listening to the audio version.
Voice recording
A simple but overlooked tool, voice recording apps can be especially useful for aural learners. Students can use it record themselves talking through a topic in order to listen back to it at a later point, such as on the train on the way to school. They can also use it to talk over their ideas for a written assignment, then play back and transcribe the recording to produce a rough first draft. Look for the “Recorder” app on Android smartphones or the “Voice Memo” app on Apple.
Grammar and editing 
For software that takes proofreading beyond the standard spellcheck, a popular choice is Grammarly. Grammarly can give students instant feedback on clarity and tone as well as grammatical correctness, and provides explanations for suggested changes. A danger in this sort of software (which applies to even basic spellcheck) is that students may become reliant upon it. However, if students take the time to read and learn from these suggestions, it does have the potential to improve their writing skills overall.
Note taking
Beyond the tried and true paper notebooks and Microsoft Word, there are a number of applications designed to make taking and organising notes easier:
- OneNote: Digital note taking software for Microsoft 365 that uses the framework of physical “notebooks” to organise notes. Easy to use for those familiar with Microsoft Office.
- Evernote: Designed to support editing and restructuring notes for revision purposes.
- Notion: Notion has wide applications beyond note taking, including inbuilt calendars and to-do lists. However, it will take longer to learn because of its flexibility.
- GoodNotes and LiquidText: For the iPad and tablet users — these apps support a mix of typed and handwritten, drawn and annotated notes.
- RemNote: A note taking app that allows for easy creation of flashcards directly from the student’s notes.
Study tools
- Quizlet: A favourite flashcards app amongst students.
- Xmind: For those who love mind mapping and want a way to digitise it.
Apps to assist with organisation and time management
Calendars 
The calendar app we most often recommend to students who are after a digital option is Google Calendar. In addition to the usual benefits of digital calendars, such as displaying multiple calendars side-by-side and syncing calendars with family members, it also has a built in to-do list called “My Tasks”.
Countdowns
Some students enjoy using countdown apps to “see” the time passing until big events, such as assessment due dates, exams and holidays. Two popular choices are Big Day and Exam Countdown.
To-do lists 
To-do lists are very helpful for decluttering students’ minds and keeping track of their many small tasks by seeing them presented visually. For students who want something a little more high-tech than the sticky note open on their laptop screen, there are abundant options for digital to-do lists. They can start with the one already installed on their smartphones and use it to set recurring tasks and reminder alarms for when a task has to be completed.
For an option that will sync across each of a student’s devices (phone, tablet and computer of any operating system), TickTick has versatile free and paid versions.
Some of our students have also benefited from building their day-to-day planning entirely around more sophisticated versions of the to-do list app, such as MindList and Structured. These are best suited to students who find that they enjoy or need a high level of planning and structure to their day.
Anti-distraction apps
As helpful as technology can be, many students need assistance putting up some boundaries around its use. While nothing can beat the act of leaving the phone or laptop in another room, there are also apps available to help fight the distractions built into devices. A good place to start is with the Do Not Disturb setting available on most devices. For a stronger incentive, the Forest app — which “grows a tree” as long as the phone is left untouched — is a popular choice. On laptop devices, there are web browser extensions available which allow students to block distracting websites for a period time. See StayFocusd for Chrome and SelfControl for Apple.
For further information on how we might be able to support students please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
