Study tools, tech and apps for online college students

Leveraging technology can work to your advantage — especially if you’re a student studying online and looking to use digital study tools to increase productivity, efficiency and interactivity.

Many of these tools are intuitive and easy to learn, even for the tech neophyte. So don’t be daunted if you’re not particularly tech savvy. Rather, think about technology as your partner to help you thrive in your studies.

A survey by Morning Consult, conducted on behalf of the educational publisher McGraw Hill^®, found that “73% of students and 64% of instructors think students could study more effectively if the materials were more like social media.”

It’s not only a matter of virtual interaction and convenience. Yes, the various devices and apps for online universities can enhance your educational experience overall, but they may also provide additional benefits, such as saving you time and money. Read on to learn more about how technology can further enhance your virtual education.

Yes. On a basic level, you’ll need a computer, but that could be a laptop or a desktop, whichever you prefer.

You’ll likely be able to study most optimally on your own device. If you don’t own a computer but have access to one (through a friend or family member), that could work too. Just make sure if you’re borrowing a device that it has a secure internet connection and antivirus/ antimalware software.

Still, certain online universities may have specific requirements, such as:

• Updated operations systems (e.g., Microsoft^® Windows 10 or higher or the latest version of Apple^® macOS)
• Updated web browsers (e.g., the latest versions of Google^® Chrome, Mozilla^® Firefox or Microsoft^® Edge for PCs or the latest versions of Apple^® Safari, Google^® Chrome or Mozilla^® Firefox)

Operating systems address accessibility concerns, too, offering options to change the sizes of fonts and desktop icons, magnify portions of your screen, recognize speech, convert text to speech, caption audio and alter background colors.

An online university may offer software either included with tuition and resource fees or for a discounted rate to active students. Examples include Adobe^® products, Microsoft^® 365 (formerly Office), Microsoft^® Project and Microsoft^® Visio.

Meanwhile, the following guidelines should accommodate most needs for engaging in online education:

• A computer with an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor or better
• At least 8 GB RAM
• A high-speed internet connection (at least 25 Mbps)
• An internal or external keyboard and mouse, speakers (a noise-canceling headset is optional) and a microphone 
• A DVD/CD-ROM drive (for select courses, to install software)

If possible, students may want to avoid satellite and cellular connections, which can lead to slower connectivity, timeouts and general errors. Also, being aware of limitations with public-access computers (such as in a library) is important, as you may not be able to use the speakers, microphones or cameras (for conferencing). Chances are higher you’ll encounter security issues too.

Yes and no.

Some virtual education programs have adopted certain apps thanks to their mobile-device friendliness. Case in point: Blackboard^®, a learning management system provider, has a smartphone app that facilitates access to curricula (including for students with special needs), provides a solid calendar system, and allows users to sign in and check on their classes using their smartphones to stay.

Certain learning management systems also provide many studying tools (e.g., for course materials and assessments) that can be accessed by smartphone or computer, such as Canvas, Moodle or proprietary platforms.

All of this can be especially useful to working adults and parents who are busy rearing children but still want to go back to school and earn their higher-education degree online.

However, for students to fully engage with their classes, peers and faculty, they will need an actual computer with a full suite of programs and applications found in the modern workplace to readily complete class assignments.

Ideally, use your smartphone as a secondary way to access your educational activities and for planning purposes: Fill your notepad with dates and deadlines, along with important reminders. But you’ll need a computer for the bulk of your time with online education to ensure website functionality, maximize your ability to multitask and circumvent any mobile limitations to view course materials and detailed content.

When it comes to tech accessories, look into products that will raise the efficiency and comfort levels of your experience learning online.

Most laptops come with a built-in webcam, but if your device doesn’t have one, you may need one for your virtual classes and discussions.

Will you be taking many courses and spending long hours using online apps for studying on your computer? A laptop stand can reduce strain by allowing you to adjust viewing angles to avoid hunching over and to help you maintain a more ergonomic posture.

Furthermore, minimizing distractions during lectures with noise-canceling headphones may be helpful if you’re easily distracted. Also, your device likely has an internal microphone but consider buying an external microphone for improved audio clarity if your online program requires you to interact more than usual with other students and instructors.

If you may be doing extended study sessions without an electrical outlet nearby, get a portable charger for your laptop and phone. 

If you’re studying at an online institution, you may not need to spend much on traditional office supplies, like physical notebooks, pens and highlighters. Still, you may prefer the tangibility of writing down notes in your favorite Moleskine or using a leather-bound planner. Or try color-coded sticky notes as visual cues that you can post at your desk.

To protect your eyes during extended screen time, consider purchasing blue-light-blocking glasses that come with prescription or nonprescription lenses.

Nursing students may find that specific resources are especially helpful. In fact, online nursing degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels lend themselves to specific tools for studying. There are research databases, including CINAHL Ultimate, which has full-text journals, case studies, instructional videos, evidence-based care sheets, quick lessons that can serve as refreshers, and continuing education modules.

Nursing studies can be complemented with the Epocrates app, which features everything from educational podcasts and pill identifiers to updated information on medication dosing, side effects and interactions.

Picmonic, a visual learning tool that helps students retain nursing and medical concepts through mnemonics, is another potentially useful tool.

Make sure to inquire about the types of tools you may need to excel within your particular field of study.