Top 10 Student Tools for Fall 2010

Skype: Video chat in the classroom

1Traditionally a software app that allows users to make free voice calls to one another, Skype has introduced a group video chat service that’s being used by professors and students to engage in classroom discussions and host virtual office hours.

Google Docs: A complete collaboration solution

2Google applications such as Google Documents, Calendar and GMail have become a standard suite of tools for college students to collaborate – it really hits the spot for group work. Other apps in the suite include Google Talk for chat, SMS for mobile, Blogger to set up a blog, Desktop to index your computer, Scholar to find scholarly works and Picasa to edit and manage photos.

Citation Manager: Making assignments easier

3GradeGuru Citation Manager is a bookmarklet & FireFox add-on that helps students collect and manage citations for papers, essays and assignments. Just highlight the info you want in any online source and Citation Manager will automatically capture the associated citation data from your browser. (Authors and journalists, take note!) It’s a real time saver for course work.

Twitter: New levels of engagement

4Twitter is longer just a social network. Students and academics alike are starting to leverage this network to crowd-source questions, gather research and increase classroom engagement levels.

Studyrails: Focus, focus, focus

5Studyrails is an online study tool that helps with time management by allowing students to schedule their study time and block out access to sites that might distract them.

Chegg: Rent your college textbooks

6The idea behind Chegg is pretty straightforward: Rent textbooks, return them for no additional cost via UPS, and the company plants a tree every time yoiu rent. They offer a 30-day return guarantee.

Study Tracker: Chart your performance

7Study Tracker, the iPad app by GradeGuru, helps students track their class performance. Students can record their study times and grades per class to monitor their effort and outcomes — and adjust accordingly.

Mindmeister: Brainstorming made easier

8Mindmeister is a cool online mind mapping and collaboration tool that will help with your group projects and presentations. (You’ve done mind mapping before, right?) The basic version, for three mind maps, is free.

Quizlet: Memory enhancement

9With Quizlet, students can browse and use millions of flashcards created by other students and teachers, or create their own. Because you need every edge when taking your GREs or that Advanced Mandarin test.

DYD: Map out your living space

10DYD (Design Your Dorm) is a web-based 3-D dorm room design tool that allows college students to customize their dorm room interiors and purchase their favorite room furnishings online.