The previous post “Organization and Time Management  Apps for High School and College Students” on OT’s with Apps brought a comment from a visitor indicating the lack of  suggested apps for Android users. As an iDevice user who is also in charge of managing iDevices in the school I work at, I would be guilty of being iOS biased. I do try to be aware of apps for Android however it is difficult to stay on top the breath of iOS and Droid apps! I do apologize for the lack of review for Android devices.

Coincidentally I have recently been perusing Android apps resources to find apps for individuals with learning disabilities. My searches have frequently found more apps that are  developed for both the iOS and the Android platform – good news when trying to identifying preferred for individuals with disabilities. Although it still appears that iOS apps and review sources out number Android, I did find some good reviews, familiar and noteworthy Android apps for learning and organization!

Here are some Android apps for High School/Secondary and Post Secondary Students for  time management and organizational planning. Review sources are listed at the end of the blog.

Class and Homework Planning/Management

My Homework – (free) This Android app is made by the same developer as My Homework app  for iOS. For syncing between devices, a 1.99 yearly in app charge for sharing information between devices at myHomework.com.

My Homework app provides tools to list class days and time and enter homework into classes with due date and a level of priority (low, medium, high). Assignments can be reviewed as “All”, “Priority” and “Type”  with due date and time. Long term homework assignments can also be entered to break them down into smaller chunks. A simple calendar is provided that shows that there is an event scheduled by date that when the date is selected will display more event information.

Although due dates are entered, no audio or vibrating alarms are options in the app. The app allows checking off the homework when completed and removal of completed assignments. This takes some time to set up and enter assignments. Color coding by block schedule is available.

Assignment Planner Free – (Pro 1.29) Class and assignment planner for Android features the ability to set up classes and then adding assignments to each class. Classes can be entered by days and then set up to be repeating and are presented in a list with days of the week and times of the class. Other information by class can also be entered including instructors name, location and contact information.

Assignments are presented in a  calendar but listed by date and time showing class and assignment. Alarms can be set for assignments by hours or minutes prior to the due date set. Assignments can be checked off when complete and scores entered (X/out of = XX%) to track grades. Although no color coding is available in the app, the lists clearly present assignments in a descending order for easy viewing and assistance with prioritization at least by date. The format allows easy editing of information within the app. There is no prioritization method within the app.

This app is good, however I would like to see color coding provided by course for ease of identifying assignments by course. I would also like to see a monthly calendar allowing a big picture view of assignments to help with long-term projects assigned. The Pro version removes ads but which are very inconspicuous in the lite app. I found Assignment Planner to have an easy to use format and no sign in or membership required.

To Do Lists

Tasks N ToDo – Lite (Tasks N Todos Pro) is an Android app that provides many features for a do to list app. This app has a very nice interface that is easy to use and read with color coding available of different subjects. Lists of tasks can be separated into different task subjects, such as work, personal, organizations for easy of categorizing events.

Manage your to-do list effortlessly using Tasks N ToDo’s – the to-do list app for Android that syncs automatically with Google Tasks. Setting due dates, notes, reminders for your to-do list are all easily accomplished with its interface. Syncing can occur between Android tablet and smart phone. This app has many tools to help list, prioritize, remind and share events and lists between devices. This app has good reviews and was a favorite of mine from the trials performed.

Calendars

Calendars are many and most tablet and smartphones come with a OES (original equipment supplier) calendar app. Recently I informally surveyed the a group of techies on their personal preference for Android device calendars and the response was almost unanimously the OES calendar. Use of Google Calendar was also a preference by the group.

Most calendars come with the ability to create events and schedules, schedule reminders and some color coding the scheduled items. Google in particular allows color coding of events, setting reminders by days and hours and allows viewing schedules by day, week and month. Those features that are recommended for time management and prioritization when looking for an app include:

• Entering events and schedules
• Entering schedules by day, hour and repeated days of the week (such as classes)
• Setting alarms by minutes, hours or days
• Viewing a schedule by day, week and month for reminders of short-term goals or assignments as well as long-term projects
• Color coding events such as classes, personal versus work or school tasks
• Ability to edit and show completion of tasks (checking off tasks is so rewarding!)
• A web-based app can allow the ability of other support people to view, edit or enter tasks into a students schedule

Trialing apps that all ready exist may be well worth the time. Other options for calendar apps include using web-based apps such as Google Calendar or email or student management calendars supplied by the school. Look for features important to the student to foster greater independence in organizational skills. Teaching stakeholders, such as parents, peer tutors or coaches how to use the apps can also provide carryover and practice of tools and organizational skill development.

Reviews of Android App ‘s for High School and College Students

Here are a few Android app review links that list droid apps for secondary and post secondary students:

Back to School Essential Apps for College Students – http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48189836/ns/technology_and_science-back_to_school/t/essential-android-apps-college-students/

Best Android Apps for College and University Students –http://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-apps-college-university-students-81569/

Android Apps for Students –  http://www.squidoo.com/android-apps-for-students

Do you have any suggestions for organizational apps for students with organizational challenges for Android? This review only scratches the surface. If you have any recommendations please share.

Carol