Mobile learning is a massive trend in the education sector. It makes learning more accessible, personalized, and engaging. Students can learn almost any subject without the need to sit in class while teachers get cutting-edge assessment and classroom management tools, which skyrocket their productivity.
The mobile learning industry is full of opportunities for both developers and users. According to Statista, educational apps take third place among the most popular categories on the App Store. The market doesn’t stop growing even for a second. And it’s no surprise. With the popularity of online learning, educational apps are irreplaceable. They offer you tools to control your learning progress, provide support and resources, and keep you organized.
If you’re looking into developing a study app or want to find one to enhance your learning or teaching, here are ten types of educational apps explained:
1. Language Learning Apps
These apps have everything a language learner might need. You start by taking short, bite-sized classes to expand your vocabulary and have some practice. Then, apps test your knowledge in the form of games and quizzes to make learning more interactive. The top language learning apps are AI-based, so your learning progress and activities are specifically tailored to your language level and needs.
Language learning is a long and demanding process. If you feel like you need more time to practice, but your English essay or literature review piece is due soon, you can ask professional writers from an academic writing service for students to write my essay for me. You’ll get a chance to learn a language and writing skills from native speakers and win good grades.
Examples:
- Duolingo
- Babbel
- Hello-Hello
2. eBook Apps
You don’t need more than a smartphone to do your readings. eBook apps keep your library in one place, so you don’t have to carry heavy volumes with you. You can also highlight, bookmark, and annotate books and organize your notes.
Besides, eBook apps often have a text-to-speech feature, making it possible to listen to audiobooks while commuting or doing your chores. It’s a real gem for auditory learners.
Examples:
- Scribd
- Bluefire Reader
- Amazon Kindle
3. Learning Management Systems (LMS)
The LMS market is huge. It is rapidly growing in corporate training and academic settings thanks to its broad range of features. LMSs support all kinds of content and provide smart distribution. They also include everything necessary for learning management: dashboards, profiles, advanced assessment, analytics, and feedback.
Examples:
- Moodle
- Blackboard Learn and Schoology
- Canvas
4. Specific Subject Apps
While LMSs are extremely broad and combine different types of content, an educational app can also be focused on one particular subject. For example, if you need some extra resources while learning anatomy, math, art, or any other subject, you can find a dedicated app to practice.
Examples:
- IXL Math
- Solar System Scope
- Pocket Physics
5. Assessment Apps
Assessment apps are an amazing tool for both students and teachers. With their help, learners get immediate feedback and correct themselves. It helps them to reflect on their progress and learn from their mistakes.
Apps also make assessment fast and easy for teachers. They automatically grade quizzes and provide analytics. Educators use already gathered and structured data to make better decisions. And it also allows them to design interventions. Such apps save them a lot of time and make their work more effective and productive.
Examples:
- Kahoot!
- Edulastic
- Nearpod
6. Learning Games
Mobile learning absorbs various trends in education to produce efficient learning tools. Gamification is one of them. Learning through play is one of the ways to boost the speed of studying and knowledge retention. Games create an immersive experience where students play and learn at the same time. This is the most diverse type of learning app as it incorporates a variety of game genres: from strategy and simulation to action and adventure.
Examples:
- Thinkrolls
- Explorium
- Two Dots
7. Classroom Management Apps
Mobile applications are also great for classroom management. This type of educational app combines tools for communication, task design, notifications, information sharing, and content organization.
They serve to structure the learning process and engage students in a blended or virtual learning environment. Classroom management apps often include features like video conferencing, whiteboards, screen sharing, surveys, quizzes, analytics, etc.
Examples:
- Google Classroom
- Schoology
- Teacher Class 123
8. Educational Apps Enhanced with Augmented Reality (AR)
AR-based apps are at their peak. They make learning fun by fusing real and virtual spaces and adding advanced visualization. Augmented reality makes it easier to understand complex concepts because 3D modeling shows students things like the an
atomy of a human heart, constellations, structure of minerals, etc. The possibilities to leverage AR in learning are endless.
Examples:
- Quiver
- Elements 4D
- MathAlive!
9. Apps for Special Education
Creating an inclusive study space and being responsive to learners’ special needs is one of the priorities of modern education. It requires personalization and supportive learning tools. Mobile apps provide text-to-speech features for students with speech disabilities. Dyslexic students get more readable texts and spelling aid. Other apps help learners with motor skills, literacy, numeracy, and social skills, to name but a few.
Examples:
- Omoguru
- Easy Dyslexia Aid
- Talk For Me
10. Exam Prep Apps
Most students dread exam preparation because it involves endless re-reading and revising. This isn’t only the most boring way to refresh your knowledge but also the least effective.
With exam prep apps, you can practice active recall and use interactive activities. They include quizzes, flashcards, and games that help you assess your knowledge and learn new information. Exam prep apps often have a research-based scheduling feature, which leverages the spacing effect and improves memorization.
Examples:
- ExamPrep
- Quizlet
- StudyBlue
Final Words
Educational apps come in all shapes and sizes to serve different learning needs. They are useful in individual studies, classroom management, homeschooling, and corporate learning. Apps make education dynamic and support flexible and self-paced skill acquisition. With a variety of app types, the mobile learning market is booming with choices and possibilities to empower learners and educators.