By Kim Abraham D. Ramos
Photos by Aramaine Balon
Online classes became the new normal in the midst of the pandemic. This kind of virtual learning makes us spend most of our time facing our laptops and tablets. The capacity to adapt is one of the important skills we learn from this classroom setting. Students must know how to adjust technologically to learn better. The good news is that there are a lot of mobile applications that can help the students in their law school journey. Here are the common apps that can boost your performance in class.
Google Lens
Do you want to convert your handwritten notes to typewritten format for easy understanding? Traditional typing may take too much of your time. That is why Google Lens is for you. Google Lens is an app created to help a user to obtain any information about a particular object in the lens. The user should take a picture using this app and Google assistant will provide details about the said image.[1]
It has a text feature where the student can capture handwritten notes or a portion of their book and translate the same to a word copy. If you usually devote hours to type 20 pages of class notes, in Google Lens, you can have a soft copy of your notes for less than 10 minutes. You may also try Microsoft Lens which is available for both Android and iOS. You can download Google Lens for Android.
Merriam-Webster
One of the best dictionary apps for students and professionals. This app offers thousands of words with corresponding definition, synonym, antonym, and etymology. It also provides a tool where you can listen the proper pronunciation of words.[2]
Our very own Dean Ulan keep on reminding his students to use the dictionary while studying law for better understanding. You may encounter some unfamiliar legal jargons in the decision of the Supreme court and statute.
It is good to have this app at hand. Aside from Merriam-Webster, San Beda College Alabang law students will have access to CD Asia wherein definitions for legal words are also available.
Quizlet
Using flashcards or self-made tests is one of the best ways to learn. It is one of the methods of active recall because you force your brain to remember a certain topic. Latest research revealed that active recall increases memory retention of the students.[3]
No materials or time to create paper-based flash cards? Quizlet got you covered.
Quizlet is a website that helps students to learn a particular lesson through a variety of educational tools. They may create their own list of possible questions with corresponding answers.[4]
Then, they may choose whether they want flashcard type, matching type, identification type or even game type of exam. Apart from Quizlet, you may also visit Quizizz or download Anki. Both apps are available for Android and iOS.
Just visit quizlet.com or download the same for Android or iOS.
Speechify
At the end of a long study session, when you feel like wrapping it up by going over your notes or if you are an auditory learner who is more accustomed in listening to audio codals, speechify will become one of your best buddies. This app will help you convert text to an audiobook where you can loudly hear your materials.
With the help of this application, you can now listen to your reviewers while doing other tasks. You may also choose whether you want to hear a male or a female voice, or with an American or a British accent.
You can install Speechify for Android or iOS.
Google Calendar
Law school will offer you a heavy workload such as assigned cases, codals, and case digests. Naturally, a professor will assign several provisions and cases for every meeting. Some professors may ask the class to submit 80 to 100 case digests at the end of the semester. Since these tasks will have different deadlines, an organization app such as the Google Calendar will help you track activities for the week, month, or even for the whole semester.[5]
With the aid of this app, students may set an event to input the deadlines of their assignment and set a notification at least one day before to remind them. Also, if you created a calendar which is solely for academics, you may share the same with your blockmates or friends. Other related alternatives are Any.do, Google Keep, or Flipd. They are all available for both Android and iOS. Google Calendar is available for both Android and iOS.
OneNote
OneNote may help you to become paperless in law school. This digital note-taking app allows you to organize your notes and research in each subject in one place. Students may create several notebooks and insert text, pictures or files for each pad. Highlighting important terminologies in cases and reviewers may not be a problem because OneNote provides a variety of highlighter colors that you can use.[6]
Download OneNote for Android or iOS. Other great alternatives are GoodNotes and Notability which are only available on the App Store.
Forest
Are you the type of person who also visits his/her newsfeed every other minute? If yes, Forest may be the best app for you.
Forest is a type of concentrating app where you will plant a virtual tree by setting a clock. Once you hit the timer, the tree will grow while you are completing the task. However, the tree will die once you open another app.[7] The objective is to grow the tree by avoiding unnecessary browsing on your phone.
What if you need to open your email and messaging app while the timer is on? The premium version of the app will allow the user to select applications that can open without compromising the virtual trees. As alternatives, you may also try Focus Keeper, or Focus To-Do which are available for both Android and iOS.
Digital Wellbeing
The excessive use of social media can decrease your productivity as a student. Sometimes, your 5-minute break becomes 20 minutes without even knowing it. Thus, to help you track your activities on your phone, you may visit the Digital Wellbeing setting for Android or Screen time for iOS.
Digital Wellbeing is defined as a “state of personal wellbeing experienced through the healthy use of digital technology”.[8]
This app allows you to check how you frequently use your mobile apps. It has a “Focus Mode” option in case you want to close some apps that distract you while reading. You can also set a daily timer to limit your usage of some applications.
For Android users, click the Settings and look for Digital Wellbeing & Parental controls. For iOS users, click the Settings and look for iOS Screen time.[9]
In summary, law school requires rigorous academic training that can put a strain on your overall health. Daily recitations with strict professors may amount to anxiety and mental anguish for the unprepared and the jittery. It is good to utilize these educational and organizing tools available.
However, bear in mind that the best weapon to thrive in this post-graduate course is the strong dedication to learn the law and the courage to face the difficulties along the way. Always remember, Ora Et Labora.
Good Luck Bedans. ∎
[1] Delfino (2019) How to use google lens. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-google-lens (last visited August 17, 2021)
[2] Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://merriam-webster-dictionary.en.uptodown.com/android (last visited August 18, 2021)
[3] What is Active Recall? How to use it to ace your exams https://www.brainscape.com/academy/active-recall-definition-studying/
[4] Edwards (2021) What is Quizlet and How Can I Teach With It? https://www.techlearning.com/how-to/what-is-quizlet-and-how-can-i-teach-with-it (last visited August 13, 2021)
[5] The Ultimate Guide To Google Calendar https://www.calendar.com/google-calendar-guide/
[6] Introducing OneNote https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/introducing-onenote-38be036d-5b5a-49ad-83be-292fe53ad7b3
[7] Soham De (2021) Is It Worth Upgrading to the Pro Version of Forest for Android? https://www.makeuseof.com/forest-pro-android-worth-buying/ (last visited August 13, 2021)
[8] Marsden (2020) What is Digital Wellbeing? A List of Definitions https://digitalwellbeing.org/what-is-digital-wellbeing-a-list-of-definitions/
[9] Use Screen Time on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982