Top 10 Educational Apps for Lifelong Learning in the New Year

What better way to enter the New Year than with goals focused around learning? While common resolutions like improving diet, hitting the gym, and curbing unnecessary expenses often pop up around this time and, of course, hold undoubtable significance, it’s equally important to prioritise enhancing mental state and well-being.

Redirecting attention towards learning and evolving the way you learn are incredibly worthwhile and highly rewarding objectives for the New Year. To facilitate this endeavour, consider incorporating educational apps. These are valuable tools in your quest for personal and educational growth.

What Are Educational Apps?

 
Gone are the days of confined learning within traditional classroom settings. Today, educational apps have revolutionised the learning experience, providing an accessible and innovative approach to education.

These software applications are easily downloadable onto devices such as phones and laptops, with the primary goal of facilitating and promoting virtual teaching.

Tailored to diverse niches such as spelling, music, and maths, these apps foster methods of remote self-learning that users can pursue at their own convenience from any location.

Are Educational Apps Free?

 
As educational apps offer a unique and valuable service, they may require a fee to download. This is typically done on a subscription-based model, with users paying a monthly payment in order to retain the application.

Alternatively, some apps may offer a free version of the app but require a fee if users wish to gain comprehensive access.

Payment policies vary among different apps, and this information is readily available on the app’s website. It is, therefore, advisable to conduct thorough research beforehand. If you prefer not to pay, explore the possibility of finding free apps tailored to the specific learning area you wish to pursue.

 

Top 10 Educational Apps

 

1. Skoove

 

 

When educational apps come to mind, ideas of academic learning may immediately come to mind. However, such apps can be more multifaceted and useful for more than the conventional subjects of classroom learning.

With Skoove, users can unlock the magic of music and pursue virtual piano learning with its unique online teaching method. This includes bite-sized learning that users can easily digest to make regular and rewarding improvements. Not only does Skoove help users with the practical side of learning, but even with music theory to note reading. Trusted by millions already, this educational app can help any beginner or advanced player pursue their musical ambitions.

 

2. Ladybird ‘I’m Ready for Phonics’

 

 

Ladybird’s ‘I’m Ready for Phonics’ is a children’s app crafted to capture any child’s imagination and make learning accessible and fun in a space-themed environment. Available on the App Store, this app is designed to go alongside Ladybird’s other educational tools, namely its books, though can be used as a standalone application.

With twelve levels, each represented by a planet the user can travel to, children can complete tasks and earn stars, gradually working towards unlocking higher levels. Beginning with spelling out sounds and working upwards from there, this app can help children go to infinity and beyond with their letters.

 

3. Duolingo

 

 

Perhaps the most popular language app, Duolingo is a free application that can used on mobiles or computers to help users get to grips with learning a language. Offering bite-sized lessons that earn users points and unlock new levels, Duolingo works to keep users engaged and motivated to enhance their language skills.

With its easy-to-follow and accessible lessons aiding even the freshest beginners, Duolingo helps users build real-world communication skills, focusing on speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.

 

4. Headway

 

 

Headway is the perfect app for those focused on self-development in the New Year. For anybody who has the resolution, “To read more”, this may be the app for you.

Headway is an educational app that can summarise a book’s key ideas so you can together all the essential knowledge you need in an effective and time-efficient way.

In addition to giving 15-minute summaries, the app also focuses on enhancing user learning with the help of challenges, achievements, flashcards and visual guides to ensure that the information it gathers from books is learnt in an effective and in-depth way.

 

5. BBC Bitesize

 

 

The BBC offers apps that do more than notify users of the news or the weather. The BBC Bitesize app is a free online resource that can help users with learning, revision and homework.

Its name ‘Bitesize’ comes as a result of the concise and easy-to-follow guidance available to users. Primarily designed for those between the ages of 3 to 16, this educational app provides information on a wide range of subjects with guides written by education experts.

 

 

6. Khan Academy Kids

 

 

Aimed at children between 2-8, Khan Academy Kids helps children learn everything from reading to writing to letters to a comprehensive introduction to maths. This free educational app is available on the App Store, Google Play and Amazon Appstore, making it a notably accessible option for any eager learners.

With printable activities to complete, creative Crayola resources, interactive YouTube videos to watch, and even tools to help teachers enhance learning in the classroom, Khan Academy Kids offers itself as an effective and well-rounded educational tool.

 

7. Quizlet

 

 

Aimed at helping students with learning and memorisation tactics, Quizlet has tools that help users reach their educational goals with flashcards, practice tests and expert-written solutions.

Available on any device or browser, Quizlet’s accessible study tools and games can even be downloaded offline, so students can learn whenever and wherever they like.

 

8. AB Maths

 

 

Struggle with getting to grips with maths? You’re certainly not alone in this feeling, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t change. AB Maths is designed to give simple guidance on the subject for children aged 5 to 10 as well as for adults.

AB Maths offers apps including Chat Math, so users can cat with a maths robot teacher, Spike Math to learn the subject through tailored arcade games, Memo Flash, a free app where users can learn through ready-to-download flashcards and more.

 

9. LetterSchool

 

 

For any children beginning the exciting journey of learning letters, LetterSchool may be just the app. This highly-rated alphabet tracking and spelling app can help young children physically practice their letter and spelling skills.

Available in 12 languages and already used by millions and more than 5,000 schools, LetterSchool offers an effective and trusted way to embark on the adventure of the written word.

 

10. TED

 

 

A platform already globally renowned for its remarkable approach to learning, anyone would benefit from downloading the TED app to hear its latest talks.

TED gets speakers from across the globe in a wide variety of sectors to give inspiring and informative talks, capturing its audience both in person and online via its app.

Use its app to gain access to over 3,000 TED Talks, podcasts, and videos to enhance your learning in fascinating and original areas of thought.

 

Mobile Technology and Education

 
One could argue endlessly about the benefits or damages mobile technology has had on education. Namely, is this really a positive and proactive relationship?

Mobile technology can doubtlessly be leveraged to influence the way people learn today. From those still in education to those long past their years at school, mobile technology offers an accessible way for everyone to access resources and opportunities to pursue the interests they choose.

Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have certainly escalated the arguments regarding the role of technology in education, but regardless of these arguments, a few things are certain.

As long as users stay focused and motivated, particularly on apps that focus on self-learning methods, educational apps and mobile technology can offer an accessible and diverse method of learning.

Users can revise and take notes, access valuable materials, complete assignments and tasks, set and take quizzes, and learn new memorisation strategies.

Can Apps Help Children Learn?

 
Educational apps can certainly be valuable tools for children’s learning. These are designed for various subjects and age levels to provide interactive and engaging content that supports learning in a fun way.

Apps do this by typically incorporating multimedia elements, quizzes, and interactive exercises, to enhance children’s understanding.

However, particularly as these apps often promote methods of self-learning, users are expected to stay focused and motivated in their efforts. As such, it will remain crucial for parents or guardians to play a role in ensuring children focus on and utilise these apps properly.

Parents and guardians must simply ensure all educational apps are of high quality and are age-appropriate, ensuring to monitor screen time to ensure a balanced learning experience for children.