“I use Youtube when I am procrastinating about what to write or revise. I find it helps my concentration and is a more productive way of taking a break, whilst keeping me centred on the project.”
Refseek have several sites that offer videos for various topics besides YouTube university and Apple iTunes U.
Roxanne
This strategy comes thanks to Sandra Fox who has shared her technology tool tips on her blog.
“Voice Ask is an assistant like Siri, but it works on all iPhones and iPads [Apple app store £0.69]. And now on Android as well [via Google Play for £2.27]. You can ask it questions on any topic, either by talking to it or write, and it will answer you in a clear voice.” There is a YouTube video about Voice Ask
This could save the day when you cannot think what to write in certain parts of an assignment or dissertation – the University of Manchester has an Academic Phrasebank.
It is a general resource for academic writers. It aims to provide you with examples of some of the phraseological “nuts and bolts” of writing organised under the headings to the left. It was designed primarily with international students whose first language is not English in mind. However, if you are a native speaker writer, you may still find parts of the material helpful.
Thanks to Andy McMahon
“I have changed the look and feel of Blackboard to make it easier for me to find my way around, read course titles and find documents. I set it up how I like it and then you can personalise your page (top right of the menus). I chose the forest theme because I found it had quite subtle shades and it was easy to see and use and it wasn’t too stark. Then you click on submit at the bottom of the page, and it puts it all into place for you. But then I was working with someone who did not like my colours so I used the Internet Options in Internet Explorer to quickly make it easier for her to read content with a blue background.” (High Contrast mode is also available through the My Places menu on Blackboard)
Sarah – nursing
“I was given an iPhone that I use for calendars, calls, texting with speak selection, camera shots of articles using Image to text and video capturing of lectures. I use it to organise everything and sync with iCloud so I can view and work online from my desktop as well. This does not work for videos at the moment – those have to go through iTunes.”
Fiona – Multimedia and Design
iCloud-transfer.com is the site which can provide you with the iCloud tips/tricks, iCloud tutorials, and iCloud resources to help you use iCloud easily
“I use the free university iPhone bus timetable and map app when I am in a hurry and need to find my way about. It also has my timetable and modules.”
Nicole – Engineering