Online Degrees, Certificates, and Courses

News

Digication CEO touts 'top-notch' IADP online certificate program | 10.10.2022
Registration has been extended to Wednesday, Oct. 26.

As the CEO and co-founder of Digication, Jeffrey Yan knew the importance of making his company’s award-winning e-Portfolio and Assessment Management system accessible to everyone.

At left, Jeffrey Yan, CEO and Co-founder of Digication. At right, Ratna Yelgoe, Senior Accessibility and Quality Assurance Engineer at Digication

Digication is the leading provider of e-Portfolio and assessment systems for educational institutions. The company currently supports millions of users at more than 7,000 K-12 and higher education institutions throughout the US.

"It is simply not enough to implement a user interface component in a way that is compliant to accessibility standards,” Yan said. “For example, googling an accessible drop-down menu will yield many results that include sample code and reusable components. However, it is very difficult for the developer to understand why they should use one component over another, and how to structure an entire user experience consistently so that it makes sense for users of all abilities.”

Through Digication’s information accessibility work with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Yan learned about the Information Accessibility Design & Policy (IADP) online certificate program, offered through the College of Applied Health Sciences (AHS) at Illinois. AHS is a pioneer and leader in accessibility education and research.

He was so impressed by the program and staff that he made it one of Digication’s professional development benefits—paid for in full by the company.

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The IADP online certificate program consists of three, 2-credit 8-week online courses that can be completed in one academic year. It’s available to undergraduate, graduate, degree, or degree-seeking students.

Through the program, website/web application developers and designers, content creators in education and industry, eLearning specialists, instructional designers, information technology specialists, and disability service providers will learn the principles of accessible information architecture and universal design used in education, healthcare, and employment settings.

Students will also learn the federal and state legal mandates governing information accessibility and their relationship to the civil rights of people with disabilities, as well as technology accessibility standards, design techniques that adhere to those standards, and tools that support validation and evidence of compliance to those standards.

The goal: to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to digital, video, audio, and print information.

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With Yan’s encouragement, Ratna Yelgoe enrolled in the program. She is a Senior Accessibility and Quality Assurance Engineer, and her job involves testing the products developed in Digication.

“As part of my work, I used aXe tools to write automated test scripts to identify accessibility issues,” said Yelgoe, who had no prior formal accessibility training.

She earned her IADP certificate in May 2022.

Yelgoe said the program deepened her understanding of the issues faced by users with disabilities.

“I have gained experience in not just identifying accessibility issues but also providing solutions,” she said, adding she “enjoyed this course thoroughly. It was well-designed and organized, providing us lots of information and lots of pointers to explore different topics.”

While Yelgoe has taken online courses on other topics before, she said the IADP program provided her with a much different experience “as it's a cohort based online program.”

“Every week, select topics are discussed with our course mates/instructors who come from different backgrounds/experience, which provides a lot more insight on the topics,” she explained. “I stay in India, and I thought it would be difficult to manage the course work with the different time zones and work schedule. But this is a self-paced course and although there are deadlines, the instructors provide us flexibility for assignment submissions.”

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Yan said the knowledge and skills Yelgoe acquired from the program have improved the entire front-end development team’s ability to create more accessible software.

“The IADP program covers much more than technical solutions to making a user interface element accessible. It includes a wide range of examples of why and how we can make our software more usable for scenarios far beyond being compliant to the industry standard,” he said.

Yan added it’s critical for companies to have web developers and designers who understand the fundamental principles behind accessibility. And, according to Yan, the IADP curriculum and faculty are “pedagogically top notch.

“This is incredibly important because we want our developers enrolled in this program to experience a coherent and enjoyable learning experience,” he said. Program Coordinator and Instructor “Marc Thompson and his team are experts in instructional design in addition to their expertise in accessibility. This is an incredibly rare combination that is unique to this program.”

Yelgoe definitely recommends the IADP certificate program to “anyone who is involved in website or app development, design, testing, product managers” in a broad spectrum of careers and discipline areas.

“Anyone with a non-technical background can take up this course,” she added. “I do not have any web development experience and thought I wouldn’t be able to complete some of the assignments. However, the instructors covered these topics by providing us with lots of resources and starting with simple assignments and gradually increasing the level of complexity.”

Register now! The registration deadline for the Information Accessibility Design and Policy (IADP) online certificate program has been extended to Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022.

For more information about enrollment, course content, and learning outcomes, contact Dr. Marc Thompson at thompso1@illinois.edu.

For information about registration, tuition, technology, and other logistics, contact Erika Albin at ealbin@illinois.edu.

Learn more about the IADP online certificate program

The Information Accessibility Design and Policy (IADP) online certificate program is offered by the College of Applied Health Sciences (AHS) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Through this award-winning program, website developers, programmers, designers, information technology specialists, compliance officers, educators, and disability service providers will learn about the following skills and knowledge areas:

Principles of accessible information architecture and universal design methods used in educational, healthcare, corporate, and employment settings
- Federal and state legal mandates governing information technology accessibility and their relationship to the civil rights of people with disabilities
- Information technology accessibility standards, design practices that enable adherence to those standards, and tools that support validation and evidence of compliance to those standards
Why apply?

There has been a rapid increase in the use of multimedia sources for information dissemination in education, healthcare, business, government, and other settings. Concurrently, there has been an increase in the prevalence and participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society including students, employees, and consumers of commercial goods and public services.

In response to the escalating accessibility needs of this population, many states are passing legislation—for example, the Illinois Information Technology Accessibility Act—to establish policy parameters for digital accessibility. There are also several national mandates that address information technology accessibility, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

A barrier of achieving the goal of functional information accessibility is that many software developers, programmers, and information designers lack the necessary accessibility knowledge, skills, and tools they need to effectively perform their jobs. In addition, service providers and administrators often lack an understanding of how the various legislative acts and polices of information accessibility apply to their setting.

The College of Applied Health Sciences continues its pioneering efforts on behalf of the full inclusion of people with disabilities by developing one of the very first university-based professional certificates in information accessibility design and policy. At the completion of this certificate program, graduates will have relevant knowledge of policies governing information technology accessibility, along with the skills and tools to meet Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and create and/or convert digital information into accessible formats.

The program is approved by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) for CAEC Professional Development Credits.
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Get ahead in college with a Winter Session course | 10.4.2022
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is pleased once again to offer a wide selection of online courses over the winter break to help students meet their educational goals.
This year, Winter Session runs Dec. 19, 2022, to Jan. 12, 2023, and is open to current undergraduate students and non-degree students from around the globe. The term is not open to graduate students.
Winter Session provides students with an opportunity to study at a nationally-ranked top research university, learn from world-renown faculty, complete a full course in a short time period, and get closer to graduation.
Courses are rigorous yet manageable, allowing students to spend time with family and friends, pick up work hours, travel, and have time to rest and recharge over the break.
Eligible students can take one course, which is offered in an accelerated format. They can choose from scores of course sections across a wide range of disciplines.
Courses are now available in Course Explorer or view them here. Be sure to check back regularly as courses are subject to change.
Here are more great reasons to take a Winter Session course:
- Get a general education requirement or a difficult course out of the way.
- Lighten your load in the Spring and Fall semesters.
- If you’re falling behind, catch up on credits and boost your overall GPA.
- Increase your credits and fast-track your time to graduation.
- Take a popular course that’s difficult to get into during the Spring or Fall semester.
- Take a course that you’re interested in but don’t have time to take during the regular school year.
Don’t just take our word for it. See what students had to say:
“Really enjoyed this option of (doing) an intensive fast-paced course and only focusing on that single course. Hoping that more options continue to be offered in the future,” one student shared in the end-of-course survey.
“The instructor did a great job of teaching the material quickly and fitting everything that was necessary into such a short amount of time,” another added.
Check out what other students are saying about their Winter Session experiences.
For more information about winter courses, visit ONLINE.ILLINOIS.EDU/WINTER, and REGISTER on Oct. 31 when you register for Spring 2023 courses!
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'Age is no bar' | 3.30.2022

At 59, Kolkata woman pursues dream of earning a Graduate Certificate in Computer Science at Illinois

Shubhra Das is living proof that you're never too old to learn—or return to college.
In Spring 2022, Das—an IT professional and educator from Kolkata, India—started a top-ranked graduate certificate program at the University of Illinois at 59 years young, marking her return to the classroom as a student after more than three decades and earning her a shout out on Twitter from her elder son.
Encouraged by her father because of her passion for math, Shubhra Das earned a double bachelor’s degree in computer science and math (1988) and a master’s in computer science (1990) from Bethune College at a time when it wasn’t common for women in India to pursue technical degrees. Bethune was the first women’s college in India and the first or second in Asia, depending on the source. Das carved out a career in the technology industry, working as vice president for quality assurance at Acclaris Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and at IBM. She formerly served as a faculty member at Manya-The Princeton Review, teaching math and computer science courses to high school students preparing to take college entrance exams. She currently is self-employed and is a part-time faculty member at Frame Learning, another test prep company.
A longtime dream
Although she already had a master's degree, Das always dreamed of studying abroad and earning a credential from a world-class university. In 1995, her family moved to the US and lived in California for seven years. However, she and her husband—Debashis, then an IBM executive—had their hands full working and raising Debarghya, who goes by Deedy, and younger son Subharghya.
Das put her dream on hold and focused her sons’ educational endeavors, so that they would have that opportunity. Debarghya earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science from Cornell University. A tech entrepreneur, he worked at Facebook and Google before being on the founding team of Glean, a startup in the San Francisco Bay area.
After Subharghya started his undergraduate studies at Cornell—remotely in 2020 and on campus in 2021—Das decided it was time to revisit her dream.
“My husband (who also has a degree in computer science) always said I should look to fulfilling my ambitions when my kids grow up,” Das said.
Though she would have preferred to attend in person, she knew it would not be feasible with COVID restrictions, visa issues, and responsibilities at home. In response, her sons helped her research prominent programs that were online and financially feasible.
The power of a CS credential from Illinois
“My eldest son recommended the University of Illinois because he was well-acquainted with the talent pool from UIUC. After diving deeper into the program, it seemed like a good fit,” Das said.
Though she originally applied to the Online Master of Computer Science in Data Science program, offered through the Department of Computer Science in the Grainger College of Engineering, she was offered admission to the department's Master's Certificate Program since she already has a master's.
Das said she enjoys the program's flexibility, which allows her to listen to lectures at her own pace and from the comfort of her home, which is 11 1/2 hours ahead of Urbana-Champaign.
Das is on track to complete the certificate program through the #5-ranked graduate program in computer science in the nation in December 2023. When she does, she will be prepared to enter one of the highest-paying and in-demand career fields in the diverse computer science industry.
An inspiration to others
While it’s no surprise that Das’ husband and sons are #PROUD, she’s tickled that her return to school has been inspiring others.
Debarghya’s tweet has garnered several thousand likes, retweets, and replies from people who expressed admiration and well wishes to those who shared their stories of returning to school or desire to.
“Glad when I hear such stories,” @aaditkamat replied. “My mom was also telling me about how her friend (in her late 50’s) has just started pursuing her MBA. Though I know that it’s true only for some things this is a good case of “Age is just a number.”
“Inspiring! I am probably her classmate at UIUC (off campus),” @GRV11 wrote. “Totally agree that learning should never stop.”
This gives me hope to kick start my second stint of learning after a gap of 8 years,” @Neha_N_M added.
That is not to say that Das didn't have some reservations. Would she be able to keep up with her younger peers and focus for prolonged periods? She also had eye surgery for a condition that impairs her vision significantly.
But "everyone in my family has confidence in me and what I can achieve, and I'm incredibly fortunate to have that," she said, adding that propelled her forward.
Das recalled that when her sons were growing up, she constantly encouraged them to never give up.
“It’s a role reversal now with my sons constantly egging me on to study hard and do well,” she said.
So what advice would Das give to anyone who’s contemplating going back to school later in life?
“If someone loves learning, then age is no bar at all,” she said. “Everyone can and should go back to school later in life if they still have the hunger for knowledge. Often in our society, many people lose their love for learning after bringing up their kids (and not knowing that this option is on the table). I was fortunate enough to not lose touch with my studies because of the time I spent teaching my children as they grew up.”
Learn more about the Professional Master of Computer Science programs and other Online Programs at Illinois, including graduate degrees, certificates, and endorsement; and Coursera MOOCs.

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Now is a great time to consider a Social Work career! | 12.16.2021
Are you considering a career in the diverse and in-demand field of social work? Now is a great time!

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations, although employment growth will vary by specialization. That’s due, in part, to an increased focus on providing drug offenders with treatment services instead of sentencing them to prison.

Social workers are compassionate, caring people, who use their strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills to help individuals and families solve and cope with challenges in their everyday lives. Clinical social workers (CSW) or licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) also diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues.

According the BLS, the median pay for social workers in 2020 was $51,760, or $24.88 an hour. Payscale lists the median pay for LCSWs at $58,437; medical social workers at $56,906; clinical supervisor at $59,333; social service director at $66,017; and executive directors at $81,250. However, salaries vary by employer, location, and other factors.

While all social work jobs require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, many—including CSWs, LCSWs, and supervisory and leadership positions—require a master’s degree to enter the occupation, and some require a state-issued license or certification. So having a master’s degree will put you in the best position to launch and advance your career.

Why choose the University of Illinois?

The University of Illinois’ School of Social Work offers the iMSW online program, the traditional MSW campus-based program, and a hybrid-online program.

Students can choose one of two concentrations:
- The Advanced Clinical Concentration focuses on learning advanced direct practice skills to work in a wide variety of clinical environments. Students can choose one of four focus areas to tailor their coursework: mental health; health care; schools; and children, youth and family services. Job titles include counselor, therapist, case manager, discharge planner, linkage and referral advocate, adoption specialist, and community liaison, among others.
- The Leadership & Social Change Concentration (LSC) focuses on learning the latest skills on engaging in macro practice, system and social impact, program evaluation, and advocacy. Students are natural large-scale thinkers and innovators. They complete work that matches their interests, talent, and skills within the broader scope of the profession. And their unique training sets them apart to be social work innovators in non-profits, for-profits, and government. Job titles include policy advocate, program director, executive director, political strategist, higher education administrator, public service leader, strategic planner, interventionist, and consultant, among others.
The School of Social Work is one of the longest-serving programs in the country. It’s currently ranked the #22 on the best schools for social work list by U.S. News & World Report.

Alumni work as licensed clinical social workers, case managers, program coordinators, licensed therapists, residential counselors, clinicians, direct support professionals, board certified behavior analysts, substance abuse counselors, mental health therapists, program coordinators, program directors, chaplains, in educational, government, medical, social service, and industry settings.

Furthermore, the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana is one of the top-ranked research universities in the world and a pioneer and leader in online education. The university is also ranked by Open Doors as first among public universities in number of international students.

Illinois boasts 29 Pulitzer Prize and 24 Nobel Prize winners among its alumni. And the University Library is one of the largest public university collections in the world with 14 million volumes in its 20-plus unit libraries.

Learn more about the Master of Social Work at Illinois.
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Events

Date	Event
11.19.2022	Fall Break Begins (?)
11.28.2022	Instruction Resumes (?)
12.7.2022	Instruction Ends (?)
12.9.2022	Final Exams begin (?)
12.8.2022	Reading Day (?)

Online Illinois Calendar

Blogs

Top 5 Study Playlists from Spotify | 11.14.2022

By Bella Ramos, Marketing Intern

Classes are in session, and so are study sessions! And as assignments and exams begin to roll in, creating a space to study can be difficult with all the noise around campus. I find it easier to study with music: it can even help reduce stress and improve mood as well.

Whether you’re solo or with a group, studying while listening to music has been shown to be a great means to maintain motivation and focus. Students are able to improve their studying experience with music: it all depends on your preference for music. Keep in mind that particular types of music have the potential to distract or help you focus, so feel free to set up your study workspace, make yourself comfortable, and explore these top five studying playlists on Spotify, along with a bonus study playlist!

Deep Focus Keep calm and focus with ambient and post-rock music, 185 songs, about 8.5 hours

As the top study playlist on Spotify, this playlist is perfect for those study sessions where you need to destress and concentrate on your work. This playlist stays true to its name: you may find yourself completing your work more productively while listening to these tracks.

Brain Food Hypnotic electronic for studies and a relax, 100 songs, 7 hrs 27 min

Coming up as number two for the top studying playlists, this playlist creates a reenergizing environment for your mind: literal brain food for your study session. The electronic-based songs in this playlist pair nicely with the minimal lyrics; it can push your studying motivation even further than you thought.

Intense Studying Focus-enhancing piano for your study session, 202 songs, 9 hrs

This playlist is ideal for holding your focus when studying: the piano behind these tracks is captivating and powerful if you’re looking for an extended amount of time dedicated to studying. Additionally, this playlist is great to listen to while completing writing assignments: the lyricless tracks draw your attention to developing your thesis rather than recalling the words to familiar songs.

Instrumental Study A soft musical backdrop for your studies, 367 songs, 15 hrs

The variety of musical instruments used to accompany the piano in this playlist may keep your study session interesting: especially when studying for those upcoming exams! I found this playlist quite relaxing while studying at the Union because it drowned out all the noise.

Chill Lofi Study Beats The perfect study beats, twenty-four seven, 500 songs, 18 hrs

With over 18 hours worth of listening, this playlist is sure to grab your attention for hours on end. The chill beat along with the varied quality degradation creates a unique atmosphere for solo or group study sessions!

Movie Scores to Study to 116 songs, 5 hr 30 min

This playlist is a personal favorite of mine while studying and on occasional walks around campus. This is primarily because of the film scores within this playlist: I love films and listening to their scores, so it fits my preference for music to hear while studying and doing other assignments. There are some familiar songs from familiar films like “Up,” “La La Land,” “Interstellar,” and more. Make sure to check out this playlist and see if you recognize these scores while studying!

Sources to check out:

https://nypost.com/2022/08/18/students-who-listen-to-music-while-studying-have-a-higher-gpa-poll/

https://www.vaughn.edu/blog/best-study-music-and-benefits/

https://themindsjournal.com/what-is-lofi-music/

For more study playlists on Spotify, check out this Illinois Online blog post: https://online.illinois.edu/articles/online-learning/item/2019/11/15/top-5-study-playlists-on-spotify

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Looking for a Winter Session course? | 10.25.2022

By Bella Ramos, Marketing Intern
Are you searching for a Winter Session Course? There are a variety of courses available during the winter term 2022-2023!
Winter Session is an excellent way for students to free up their schedules for Spring 2023. It can lessen the workload of general education courses and prerequisites for particular classes.
Here are ten courses to check out for Winter Session:
MACS 356 A - Sex and Gender in Popular Media, 3 credit hours
This class examines the notion that the mass media influence our development as gendered individuals, looking at those who argue for and against this notion. It also considers different forms of feminist theory applied to the study of mass media, the history and scholarly criticisms of the media and their portrayal of women, and feminist attempts to create alternatives to mainstream media images.
I personally took this class Spring Semester of 2022 and would highly recommend it. It was really engaging and encouraged me to critically analyze mass media through different lenses, while also examining minority representation.
(Satisfies Cultural Studies - Western)
ATMS 120 ONL - Severe and Hazardous Weather, 3 credit hours
Most extreme manifestations of weather and climate are analyzed in terms of their physical basis and their historical, economic, and human consequences. This course examines the interaction between technological advances, the evolution of meteorology as a science, and the impacts of extreme weather (winter storms, floods, severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, El Nino).
(Satisfies Nat Sci & Tech - Phys Sciences, Quantitative Reasoning II)
MUS 133 A - Introduction to World Music, 3 credit hours
Interested in world music, but you're not a music major? This class--for music and non-music majors alike-- surveys various musical traditions from different regions and peoples of the world. Students must register for one discussion and one lecture section.
(Satisfies Humanities Lit & Arts, Cultural Studies - Non-West)
ENG 360 A - Environmental Writing, 3 credit hours
This course prepares students to write about the environment for various audiences, with a focus on specific current efforts to promote sustainability on the Urbana-Champaign campus. Students practice effective techniques for each stage of the writing process-from defining topics, to gathering information, to crafting active, engaging prose. Readings will include models of effective environmental writing and "how to" pieces by experts.
(Satisfies Advanced Composition)
ECON 102 ONL - Microeconomic Principles, 3 credit hours
This course is an introduction to the functions of individual decision-makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system. It primarily focuses on the nature and functions of product markets, the theory of the firm under varying conditions of competition and monopoly, and the role of government in promoting efficiency in the economy.
(Satisfies Social & Beh Sci - Soc Sci)
PHIL 110 AL1 - World Religions, 3 credit hours
This class surveys the leading living religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Students examine primary texts and philosophic theological elaborations of each religion.
(Satisfies Humanities - Hist & Phil, Cultural Studies - Non-West)
PSYC 100 A - Intro Psych, 4 credit hours
This course studies human behavior with special reference to perception, learning, memory, thinking, emotional life, and individual differences in intelligence, aptitude, and personality. It focuses on the scientific nature of psychological investigations and the discussion of research methods and the relation of their results to daily life and everyday problems.
(Satisfies Social & Beh Sci - Beh Sci)
CLCV 115A - Mythology of Greece and Rome, 3 credit hours
This class explores the major myths of Greece and Rome and their impact on later art, music, and literature. It shares two hours of lecture with CLCV 111, and an additional hour of lecture-discussion for a closer analysis of topics.
(Satisfies Humanities - Lit & Arts, Cultural Studies - Western)
GLBL 100 CF - Intro to Global Studies, 3 credit hours
This is a foundation course for understanding a range of contemporary issues and learning to analyze them from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Students consider globalizing trends within themes of wealth and poverty; population, cultures, and human rights; environment and sustainability; and governance, conflict, and cooperation.
(Satisfies Social & Beh Sci - Soc Sci, Cultural Studies - Western Studies)
SOC 101 01 - Sociology of Gender, 3 credit hours
This course is an exploration of current questions of gender and their applications to students today. It will focus primarily on the United States emphasizing individual, interactional, and institutional aspects of the social world. Topics for study include sociological research on femininities, masculinities, and more.
(Satisfies Soc & Beh Sci - Soc Sci)
Check out more Winter Session courses here and register when you sign up for Spring 2023 courses!
Learn more at ONLINE.ILLINOIS.EDU/WINTER

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What it's like taking a Winter Session Course | 10.6.2022

By Illinois Online
As the temperatures begin to drop, it can only mean one thing for students at the University of Illinois—Winter Session is coming.
The University of Illinois offers a wide selection of short-format, online courses over the winter break to help current undergraduate and non-degree students meet their educational goals.
Courses are taught by nationally-recognized faculty. They are rigorous yet manageable, allowing students to spend time with family and friends, travel, and have time to enjoy their break.
Evan Driscoll, UIUC Civil Engineering student
Evan is slated to graduate in May 2023 with a degree in civil engineering. He managed to complete his college education in only three years, partly due to his taking courses outside of the typical fall and spring semester schedule.
Let’s hear what Evan has to say about his Winter Session experience.
Illinois Online: Why did you want to take a course over your winter break?
Evan Driscoll: I took a winter course in order to relieve my course load for the following semesters.
IO: What course did you take and what did you learn?
Evan: I took History of Music and learned about the beginnings of rock music and the important figures that helped establish it as the genre it is today.
IO: What was the registration process like?
Evan: The registration process is very similar to the process for the fall and winter semesters, however you are limited to one course.
IO: Based on your experience, would you recommend a Winter Session course to a colleague or classmate?
Evan: If someone needs to take courses outside of the normal fall/spring semesters, Winter Session is superior to Summer Session because there aren't additional campus fees. It is a great way to knock a course out in a short period of time.
The winter class schedule is now available in Course Explorer. You can also view the courses here. (Be sure to check back regularly as the list is subject to change.)
Priority registration begins on October 31, 2022. Register when you sign up for Spring 2023 courses!
Learn more at ONLINE.ILLINOIS.EDU/WINTER

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Five must-have apps for college students | 9.26.2022

By Patrick Driscoll, Marketing Intern
Personal computers in the classroom have transformed the way we organize, learn, and study our academic materials. If you’re looking to upgrade your school experience through the power of technology, here are five free apps you should explore:

1. myHomework Student Planner – Android/iOS/Web
myHomework is a digital student planner that lets you track your classes, homework, tests, and projects so you never forget an assignment again. The application has all the perks of a traditional planner, with the added bonuses of cross-platform access and automated deadline reminders.

2. Evernote – Android/iOS/Web
Everote is a tool that allows you to capture a note or memo in any format (web clip of a product or service review for reference, photo of a business receipt, audio file, or text meeting or handwritten notes). Are you missing important academic information due to slide progression speed? Do you need to borrow notes from a classmate? Download Evernote to make notetaking a breeze.

3. StudyBlue – Android/iOS/Web
StudyBlue allows users to upload class study materials, create electronic flashcards to study and share with others, and practice quizzes. By simply plugging your academic data onto the platform, StudyBlue creates a multitude of avenues for optimal learning practices for studying on your own or with a group.

4. Google Calendar – Android/iOS/Web
Google Calendar organizes your classes and events through the scheduling function and your assignment due dates through the reminder function. Having an up-to-date online calendar creates a healthy work-life balance. Check out Google Calendar’s color coordinating function for peak organization.

5. Grammarly – Web Extension
Grammarly is a cloud-based typing assistant that reviews spelling, grammar, punctuation, clarity, engagement, and delivery mistakes. Grammarly assists you while typing as well as at the conclusion of your written assignment. Grammarly also has a tone feature, which analyzes your writing and provides feedback on how you resonate with your audience, which can be especially helpful when drafting emails.
After personally using all of the above applications in my own academic pursuits, I’ve found that I’m a much more efficient student. My learning comprehension has improved as well as my time management skills. The suggestions above are a mere few in a vast library of online scholastic resources, and I invite you to explore more on how technology in the classroom can help you!
Looking for more great apps? Read this Illinois Online blog post for more suggestions.

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CEO touts 'top-notch' IADP certificate program

Involvement: Winter Session

Integration: AI in Medicine Certificate Program

Innovation

News

Registration has been extended to Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Events

Blogs

1. myHomework Student Planner – Android/iOS/Web

2. Evernote – Android/iOS/Web

3. StudyBlue – Android/iOS/Web

4. Google Calendar – Android/iOS/Web

5. Grammarly – Web Extension