Apps for back-to-school success

Posted on August 7, 2019 at 6:00 am

By Gwendolyn Haley

Here it is the first full week of August and all the big box stores have their back-to-school displays up and ready. And the supply lists are out from the schools. So, now seems like the perfect time to remind everyone (including you!) that one of the most essential school supplies is already in your wallet or on your key chain.

Your library card!

No matter the age of your student, your library card can help them make the grade. Get homework help, research topics, and tackle test preparation, all at your fingertips on your phone or tablet when you download these apps from the library at our Apps webpage.

Need a book for class? Libby from Overdrive is an eBook reader and audiobook player. You can checkout fiction and nonfiction titles, and manage your digital checkouts.

Has a geometry problem got you stumped? With HelpNow powered by Brainfuse, you can get access to live online tutors every day, submit questions, access study resources, and track assignments. Along with help in the writing lab, you’ll find help and flash cards for math, geography, history, science, and more.

Have you forgotten everything from first year Spanish? Use Pronunciator to review or learn a new language. This language learning app features over 80 languages and English-as-a-Second-Language courses for 50 non-English languages.

Need to research a topic? Access My Library gives you access to Gale’s online resources—including Biography in Context, Science in Context, and Opposing Viewpoints in Context—without logging in. Once you choose your library in the app, just select the “Databases” option at the bottom of the app and that research paper is now a breeze.

It’s never too early to start thinking about what you’ll be doing after you graduate. The Testing & Education Resource Center, available as a Database within the Access My Library app, provides access to study guides, practice tests for the SAT, and scholarship searches.

For younger students, Tumblebooks has animated picture books with sound and narration for read-along practice.

Borrow popular movies, music, audiobooks, and television shows to stream instantly using Hoopla Digital, with automatic returns. The Hoopla app has Kids Mode, available in the settings, which when selected will only show content that has been deemed suitable for kids up to 12 years old.

If you don’t have a library card for Spokane County Library District, it’s easy to get one. Register online at our Get a Library Card webpage, and start getting these educational apps at no-cost for your students.

Tags: Apps, Gale, helpnow, homework, homework help, hoopla, Libby app, live help, live tutor, overdrive, pronunciator, research papers, tumblebooks, tutoring