1. Never Fear –
Technology is Here!
Tech for Success
Erin Orstrom
Rachel Miller
International English Institute
2015

2.  To learn about various technology tools, mainly apps and
websites, that are available and how they can be useful in:
 Increasing productivity (ex. Using search engines
effectively)
 Remembering tasks more easily (Reminders, Things)
 Managing your time better (ex. Calendars, Balanced)
 Staying organized (ex. Google Drive, Dropbox)

3. Using
 Search engines are a useful tool for finding information
Bookmark your favorite websites and resources!
Search tips:
 Use “Quotes” to specify your search
 Use (–) to leave out words that you want Google to ignore in its
search
 Search for multiple words at once using “OR”
 More search tips: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/20-tips-
use-google-search-efficiently.html
 There is also an Advanced Search option that may help narrow down
your search.

4.  Google Scholar - great resource to find approved (ex.
peer-reviewed) articles for research papers in
university
 most professors in universities will NOT accept any
article from Wikipedia as a credible source
 Other search engines:
 Yahoo!
 Bing
 Ask.com
 *Wolfram Alpha

5.  Look up definitions and listen to pronunciations of
unfamiliar words
 Thesaurus - find similar (synonyms) or opposite
(antonyms) words
 Useful when writing papers, other homework
assignments, emails, and more
 Additional Features: ‘Word of the Day’, grammar
tips, and vocabulary games
 Is also a mobile application (phone app)

8. Productivity
Applications
 Making Lists:
 Check Lists
 To-Do Lists
 Examples:
 *Reminders
 Things
 Errands

10. Taking Notes
 Evernote
 Text notes
 Audio recordings
 Pictures & web
clipper (snapshot)
 *Microsoft OneNote
 Text notes
 Audio recordings
 Pictures & Screen
Clipping function
(snapshot)
(both are computer programs
& phone applications)

12. Time Management & Focus
*Balanced
 Keeps you to focused to
complete your tasks:
 gently reminds you of tasks
that you “should” be doing
Pomodoro
 a timer app (for Mac computers)
to help keep you focused on one
task at a time for specific
periods of time, with breaks
 Similar app: Tomighty, *Focus
Booster
http://www.topuniversities.com/blog/top-time-management-apps-students-2015
Great for allowing you to focus and complete your tasks

13. Timeful
mix between a calendar and Balanced

14. Calendars
 Calendars:
 built-in app on your phone
 iCalendar (Mac computers)
 *Google Calendar
 Calendars (whether digital or printed) are
essential for keeping track of:
 assignment due dates
 tests
 appointments
 anything else important in your life
 Schedule times to study, go to the gym, or
perform other tasks and be alerted to create
a routine

15. Google Calendar Example

16. *CamScanner
 Take a picture of a document
(example: final grades) with your
phone’s camera
 The app can then turn the picture
into a PDF file that you can send
in an e-mail or store in an online
document storage application
 You can sync your documents
across your devices and access
them from anywhere.

17. Online Storage Applications
 Cloud-based storage
services:
 *Google Drive
 also provides options for
typing papers,
presentations, etc. with
Google Docs, Sheets,
and Slides if you don’t
have Microsoft Office
applications
 Google also offers many
other useful applications
 Store and organize your
documents/work and be able to
access them from anywhere -
phone, tablet, computer

18. Online Storage Applications
 Other Cloud-based storage
services:
 Dropbox
 Microsoft OneDrive (must have a
Microsoft account)
 Box (mostly targets businesses)
 and many more

19. Recording Applications
 Use recording tools: digital
recording devices or apps
 Make sure you ask your teacher
or professor first if it’s okay for
you to record the lecture or class
 Hearing information more than
once helps you retain information &
catch information that you missed
 Examples:
 Voice Memos (built-in app on
iPhone & Android devices)
 *SuperNote
 Digital recorders

21. Resources
 http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/20-tips-use-
google-search-efficiently.html
 http://www.topuniversities.com/blog/top-time-
management-apps-students-2015