Assistive Technology Resource Center Shannon Lavey
Colorado State University Spring 2017
http://atrc.colostate.edu
1
Top Apps for Academic Success - iOS
Built-In Tools
Calendar
Reminders
Notes
Mail
Dictionary
Voice Memos
Auto Correct
Text Shortcuts
Speak Selection
Speak Screen
Check Spelling
Reader View
Large Text
Zoom
Predictive Text Entry
Dictation
Siri
Color Filter/Tint
Reading
Good Reader
Price: $5.99
Description: This is a PDF reader app with advanced annotating capabilities, such as highlights, sticky notes, text
boxes, drawings, and more. You are able to manage, transfer, edit, sign, and organize files. This app also
supports MS Office, text files, HTML, pictures, audio, and video. Now has basic text to speech capabilities!
Audiobooks from Audible
Price: Free
Description: This Audible app allows you to access your audiobooks and navigate chapters, bookmark, change
narration speed, and play as you download the book. You can transfer books from your library to your device.
Browse books through Audible.com.
Flash Reader
Price: Free
Description: Read through your texts quickly with this speed reading app. Flash Reader lets you speed read
through PDFs, Word files, websites, and more. Words per minute, words per flash, themes, font, and font size
can be customized.
Voice Dream Reader
Price: $14.99
Assistive Technology Resource Center Shannon Lavey
Colorado State University Spring 2017
http://atrc.colostate.edu
2
Description: This app reads aloud PDF files, Word files, DAISY eBooks, Bookshare books, and webpages, and
allows the user to view the files while the text being read is highlighted. Adjustments can be made to the speed
of playback, voices, and colors and size of the display. Users can also annotate and export annotations for later
review.
Claro PDF Pro
Price: $6.99, free lite version
Description: This app can be used to read aloud and annotate PDF documents including highlighting and note
taking features. The app has customizable voices, speaking rate, and background colors.
Note Taking
Notability
Price: $11.99
Description: Integrates handwriting, PDF annotation, typing, recording, and organizing of notes. Handwriting
features allow for easy annotation and you can even prevent unwanted marks with a palm rest. Includes
advanced word-processing and you can link audio recordings. Additional features include auto-syncing media
inserts, and library organization. Share notes via email, Dropbox, iTunes File Sharing, AirPrint, and more.
iTalk Recorder
Price: Free
Description: Recording app that has an easy to use interface. Has a big red button to record, you can email
recordings straight from iTalk, use with iTunes, has auto-noise cancellation features, search feature to locate
recordings, and choose between sound quality options.
Voice Record Pro
Price: Free
Description: Full-featured recording app that allows users to bookmark, add notes to recordings, add color tags,
adjust playback speed, and select recording format (MP3, WAV). Recordings can then be exported to email,
Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and many more options.
Writing
Dragon Dictation
Price: Free
Description: This app allows you to use voice-recognition to speak your text or email messages. You can also
dictate status updates to social network sites, send notes or reminders to yourself. Supports multiples
languages.
Assistive Technology Resource Center Shannon Lavey
Colorado State University Spring 2017
http://atrc.colostate.edu
3
Page – Grammar & Spell Checker
Price: $4.99
Description: This app allows you to write emails, texts and other original content and then checks your
grammar, making suggestions for spelling and word choice as you go. Other features include advanced
rephrasing, text reader, predictive text, and translation capabilities of more than 40 different languages.
SimpleMind
Price: Free, upgrade- $4.99
Description: This app is a mind mapping tool that allows you to brainstorm, structure your thoughts, and collect
ideas. You can create new topics, reconnect topics, and change colors, borders, and lines for more visual style.
With the upgrade, you can export to an outline, link to webpages, add pictures, and more.
Time Management and Organization
Evernote
Price: Free
Description: This app allows you to keep track of files across devices, take text notes, dictate audio notes,
capture pictures, create to do lists, record voice reminders and audio notes, share notes easily, and index these
notes by searchable key words.
Google Keep
Price: Free
Description: Create notes and lists, check off completed tasks, set time and place reminders,
dictate your thoughts, add pictures, and color code notes with this app.
iStudiezPro
Price: $2.99, free lite version
Description: This app has a unique built-in planner with day, week, and month views to help you keep track of
your courses and homework. You can add alerts and notifications and even prioritize assignments. This app
also has an option to track your grades and GPA.
Calendars 5
Price: $6.99, free version available – Calendars (doesn’t include tasks)
Description: Calendars 5 offers day, week, month, and year views of your calendar. You can color code
appointments with alerts, notes, location, and repeat events. This app also includes a task manager with alerts,
notes, priority, and repeat tasks.
Assistive Technology Resource Center Shannon Lavey
Colorado State University Spring 2017
http://atrc.colostate.edu
4
Be Focused
Price: Free
Description: Be Focused helps you stay on track by breaking up tasks and using a timer to count down study
time and breaks. The app also includes goal and progress tracking.
Studying
Study Blue
Price: Free
Description: This flashcard app scores your correct answers and provides a score to help measure progress over
time as you study. Flashcards can be created through the app or through Study Blue’s website. Flashcards can be
organized by decks and by subject, and can include pictures.
Quizlet
Price: Free
Description: Quizlet let you study anything, anywhere. You can create your own flashcards or search millions
created by others. You can study in 3 modes – Cards, Learn, and Match. It also seamlessly syncs with the
website version.
Productivity
Canvas
Price: Free
Description: Instantly access your Canvas courses. This app allows you to check your grades, see notifications,
submit assignments, post to discussions, check off your to-do list, and more.
Dropbox
Price: Free
Description: Dropbox lets you save and share all your documents, photos, and videos. Dropbox automatically
syncs files on your phone, tablet, laptop, and desktop for easy access. You get 2 GB of space for free.
Google Drive
Price: Free
Description: This apps lets you view and save documents, PDFs, photos, videos, and more. You can easily share
files and folders with others, and quickly access recent files. All files are backed up safely so you can’t lose them.
