Free apps that help me be more productive in my research, writing, and work with graduate students:
Citation and source management:
Zotero - download citation information directly from web-based sources (enter others manually), build your citation database, Word plug-in allows you to insert formatted citations and generate reference list with ease. Free.
Document sharing:
Dropbox - Store your documents in the cloud so you can access them from any computer. Also useful for sharing big files with classmates or teachers. Free.
YouSendIt - Another app that is useful for sending files that are too big for email. Free version available.
Diagramming/mind-mapping:
Lucidchart - I just started using this in the past year and I love it! I have used it to make a number of diagrams for presentations and I find it to be an incredibly capable tool. Click here to apply for free education version (it says K-12, but they also give education accounts to those in higher education).
Communication:
Eyejot - I love this tool! Send video messages -- more personal and energetic than email. Free version allows messages of up to one minute.
Doodle - Easy scheduling tool, great for setting up meetings for group projects. Free.
Note taking:
Evernote - A cloud-based note taking tool -- means you can access notes from any of your devices. Also allows you to tag notes - easier to find what you are looking for later. Free.
Social bookmarking:
Diigo - Tag and store your bookmarks so you can find important sites easily. Cloud-based so you can access them from any device. Group function allows you to share -- great for group projects. Also includes highlighting and commenting tools. Free.
Images (for presentation slides, etc):
Stock.xchng - extensive library of free images.
The Noun Project - web-based library of universal symbols. All are free for non-commercial use.
And two not-free (in fact shockingly expensive) apps that help me be more productive:
Things - task management for mac users. This is an elegantly simple yet sophisticated task management app. Quickly enter to-do items with due dates, tags, and notes. Also schedule recurring to-do items and group items under projects. Approximate prices -- Macbook version: $49. iPad version: $19. iPhone version: $9.99. Hard to believe it's worth it, but it has been worth it for me. I have Things on my macbook and phone and it helps me stay on top of all I need to do and also helps me to feel done at the end of a day when I've completed all that I intended to do.
One password - password manager. Easy to use. Saves me time because I don't have to scramble to figure out forgotten passwords. Mac version: $49. iPad and iPhone versions also available.
Please note, I am not affiliated with the makers or distributers of any of the above-mentioned apps.
What other apps do you use for school?
Cheering you on in your work,
Harriet
Icon above from The Noun Project
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