Media Use in Studies
Table of Contents
- Media for reading and commenting on PDF files
- Media for Organization and to Communicate with fellow students
The word "study" is generally derived from the Latin word "studiere" and means "to strive for something, to pursue something diligently, to engage in academic study." For you as a student, this also means that, in addition to attending lectures, you must and should attend to further reading. To do this, you will use several media channels, such as books from the university library, but also various publications and studies from the internet, as well as TV or radio. But even beyond acquiring literature, you will become familiar with, or have already become familiar with, a wide variety of media. Everyone of you is familiar with WhatsApp and other media services that we use every day to connect with other people, to entertain ourselves, and organize our lives. Media use can therefore be divided into different areas of use. Media channels vary from simple communication with other students to literature research and use.
Most frequently used Media that simplifies studying
Media use is changing not only in society in general, but also massively among students. While a few years ago, libraries were often visited for books, today it's more common to turn to online scripts and publications. This is convenient in the sense that you no longer have to lug around so many books, but above all, it allows several students to study the literature simultaneously. At the same time, various apps can be used to capture, sort, and export PDF files, photos, handwritten and electronic notes, and even voice messages to other channels.
But which media do I best use to access the right literature? We would like to introduce you to some helpful media and apps that you, as a student, should definitely know about.
Media for reading and commenting on PDF files
GoodReader
GoodReader is an iOS app that lets you read, markup, and comment on existing PDF documents. Using the "Email Summary" feature, you can export the text with your added highlights, comments, and notes via email. The app also offers very useful features, such as the text-to-speech function. This allows you to have the text in the PDF file read aloud to you. GoodReader isn't free, however. The basic version costs €6.99, and the pro version costs €89.99.
Evernote
Evernote is an information management system for various documents in PDF, image, and other formats. Handwritten notes and voice memos can also be stored and organized here. Tags and folders can bring structure to the document jungle. Evernote is a free app that makes it easy to capture and plan ideas and inspiration. Furthermore, Evernote syncs across devices, allowing you to access your files from anywhere and on any device. Search filters and suggestions as you type make it easier for you to find a file or note.
You can also create to-do lists to better manage and plan your daily life. You can also easily scan receipts and other important documents with the app. This way, they won't get lost, and you have everything at a glance in one app.
MarginNote
The MarginNote app is available as a free version and a pro version for €5.49. With MarginNote, you can capture and organize thoughts, notes, or documents in a mind map. You can also read PDF files, highlight important content, and export your mind maps. The created mind maps can also be synchronized between different devices.
Papership
Papership is a free app for organizing literature. It also allows cross-device access to your self-created literature database and links it to the literature databases Mendeley and Zotero. Not only can you manage your literature, but you can also read texts, highlight important content, and leave comments. A folder structure lets you organize your literature according to different attributes, keeping everything on a topic in one place.
Notability
Notability is an app that helps you take notes, as well as leave comments, annotations, and highlighting in a PDF file. Not only can you highlight text, but you also have a pen function that allows you to write, draw, or add other things to the document by hand. You can then save and export the file as a PDF. The exported file also contains your own highlighting, etc., saved in the document. This is especially useful when reading literature for university. You can now express your thoughts directly alongside the text, for example, if you want to refer to further literature or if other ideas pop into your head. The advantage is that you have everything together in one file, digitally. You can continue working on your text at any time, change other things, and add new comments, without having to print the file. This not only saves money, but also protects the environment.
Media for Organization and to Communicate with fellow students
iStudiez
iStudiez is a free app for organizing your daily study and learning routine. It lets you create and organize calendars, tasks, courses, and important events like exams. These are presented in a clear and concise manner, allowing you to always keep track of your upcoming appointments and tasks. You can also create and manage important contacts with their email addresses or phone numbers in this app.
MS Teams
MS Teams is an app from Microsoft. You can create a free account and communicate with your fellow students like you would with a regular messaging app. You can create a variety of groups that correspond to your different modules. You can then use these groups to share documents, images, and other items and make them available to everyone. Everyone can then work on these documents, so nothing stands in the way of your teamwork. However, for successful teamwork, you also need to see each other face-to-face. You can achieve this with the help of features like telephony or video conferencing. In a video conference, individual users can share their screens to discuss content together. You can also use MS Teams to create to-do lists and share them with other team members, as well as assign specific tasks. MS Teams therefore offers a central location that helps you stay connected with your fellow students, even if you are not in the same city.
Studydrive
Studydrive is a platform that connects you with other students beyond your own study group or university. It is available online and as an app, and is completely free for students. Students from all over Germany, but now also from other countries such as Austria, the UK, and the Netherlands, come together here to exchange ideas. On the platform, you can discuss all the things that concern you as a student. Be it getting help with a difficult assignment you have to complete for university, or other topics such as tax returns as a student, the coronavirus, living in dorms and shared apartments, or scholarships, internships, or student jobs. On Studydrive, you will find an answer to every question. In addition to communication, you can also join various groups assigned to your university. These groups have been created for the different modules offered by your university. Here, too, in a smaller group, you can get in touch with students at your university, especially with students from your module, discuss lecture content or exercises, and even share documents or flashcards. This way, students support each other. You can then choose rewards in the rewards shop by earning points through active use, i.e. by sharing documents such as notes or solutions to various exercises, etc., in the different groups.
Studydrive - your Companion for Studying
With Studydrive, you're always well prepared for your studies! Exchange ideas with other students, get peer-to-peer support for any questions you may have, don't miss anything shared between your classmates in the course, and find helpful study materials.