11 Apps to Keep Your Brain Trained & Entertained
By Jess Scherman on 08/01/2014
Do you find it difficult to retain the information listed in your history book? Or maybe those printed study guides your teacher handed out just aren’t cutting it.
Well fear not, because the world of education is progressing technologically along with everything else. Because when it comes to cramming for that big exam or upping your GPA to get ahead, there’s an app for that. Actually, there are a whole bunch of apps for that!
Think of the countless hours you pour into sculpting your muscles at the gym—well now you can start exercising your brain in the same way. Only this workout regimen will help propel you to the top of your class in no time.
We compiled a list of the best brain-training apps to help you excel in the classroom and have fun while doing it. Take a look and you’re bound to find something that will help you start climbing the ladder to success in the classroom.
1. Lumosity
What does it do? Lumosity is a comprehensive learning app that focuses on five areas of cognitive education: memory, attention, flexibility, speed and problem solving. But it doesn’t stop there—the app is set up so you can customize your experience based on what you’re own goals.
For example, you are given the choice of what aspects of your memory you’d like to strengthen. The options vary from remembering people’s names to learning new subjects quickly. Lumosity then creates a custom experience based on your personal learning goals and the app is equipped to adapt throughout your process as you become more proficient in certain areas. You can replay the games as you wish or you can advance to the next recommended activity to complete your daily mind workout.
How much is it? Free!
Where can I download it?
2. Fit Brains Trainer
What does it do? The Fit Brains Trainer app is powered by Rosetta Stone, offering brain training games built around five major areas of learning: concentration, problem solving, memory, visual and speed. Each category boasts games for beginners, intermediate users and advanced learners.But the catch is that you can only move up a level once you’ve passed the level prior to ensure you’ve mastered each skill.
The app also tells you exactly what you’re learning with each game. For example, in a game centered around counting randomly arranged sets of blocks as quickly as possible, the opening screen informs you that participating in the game will increase the pace at which your mind can make accurate estimations under pressure.
How much is it? Free!
Where can I download it?
3. Lingua.ly
What does it do? Users are given the opportunity to begin learning a wide array of languages ranging from French and Spanish to Arabic and Chinese. The only prerequisite for use of this app is that one of the selected languages (the one you wish to learn or the one you currently speak) must be English.
So how does it work? Well, in short, you begin collecting words through the app’s dictionary feature and Lingua.ly automatically creates practice questions to quiz you. You can create custom flashcards with words and images and as you begin to progress in your learning, the app automatically increases the difficulty of your practice questions. It even suggests articles in and about your chosen language for you to read once you become more proficient.
How much is it? Free!
Where can I download it?
4. QuotEd
What does it do? The goal of this app is to develop users’ reading comprehension levels based on varying levels of standardized tests. Whether you’re preparing for the SAT, the LSAT or the GRE, QuotEd has a training program for you!
You can personalize the app for which standardized test level you’d like to reach and once you do, a new inspiring quote and custom test question will be sent to your mobile device daily to keep your learning consistent. Feel like being challenged a bit further? You can always select the quiz mode for a longer, more comprehensive set of questions. QuotEd also offers a similar app which focuses specifically on the science portion of the ACT.
How much is it? $9.99
Where can I download it?
5. Daily Art
What does it do? Are you ready to cross that required art credit off your list before graduation? Or maybe you’re simply looking to become more seasoned in your art repertoire. Either way, Daily Art can help you in your quest.
The free app serves you a daily dose of culture in the form of classic paintings spanning from the 1500s to the 1980s. Each piece is accompanied by ample information on the painting and artist, along with a link for more information if desired. Uncover the deeper meaning that lies beneath Vincent van Gough’s famous painting, “Starry Night” or discover the painting by the same name by Edvard Munch that you never knew existed.
How much is it? Free!
Where can I download it?
6. Geo Master Plus
What does it do? This app does exactly what it sounds like it would—it helps you become a master of geography. Geo Master Plus uses more than a dozen games to help users develop the ability to successfully identify important geographical elements around the world.
You can peruse more than 40 different high-resolution maps in pursuit of learning the different countries and continents. You can also learn capitals, provinces, seas, mountains and monuments. Once you’re feeling confident, the app offers several quizzes to test your new-found knowledge.
How much is it? $1.99
Where can I download it?
7. Khan Academy
What does it do? Khan Academy strives to provide free, first-rate education to people around the world. Students have praised the non-profit organization for helping them brush up on their skills in math, science and humanities in ways they found difficult to grasp in traditional classroom settings.
The web-based learning hub has extended their services by creating an app filled with a host of videos, tutorials, interviews and articles to help users breeze past their educational struggles. The app meets you where you are and allows you to choose what’s next in your learning journey.
How much is it? Free!
Where can I download it?
8. TED
What does it do? Many of us are visual learners and while playing games can stimulate the part of your brain that craves active participation, there are times when we simply need to sit back and let an expert do the teaching.
TED is a perfect resource for that type of learning. You may already be familiar with TEDTalks and if so, you surely know how beneficial they can be. If not, here’s what you need to know: this app gives you access to more than 1,700 videos in which people from around the world share their expertise on a wide array of topics including science, technology, finance, music and politics. This provides you with the experience of sitting in the front row of world-recognized conferences without paying for the pricey airfare and entrance fee.
How much is it? Free!
Where can I download it?
9. WolframAlpha
What does it do? Math is one of those subjects that just seems to come naturally to some people, while others would consider it an unattainable foreign language. If you identify with the latter, then this app is for you! It taps into WolframAlpha’s wealth of data and algorithms to compute answers and generate reports for you (remember what I said about that foreign language thing?).
It might be simpler to understand it this way: remember those pesky questions in math class about one train traveling from one direction and another train traveling at a higher speed from the opposite direction? This app will help you dissect those types of questions and show you how to determine the answers on your own. It can teach you about everything from elementary math and algebra to thermodynamics and astrophysics.
How much is it? $2.99
Where can I download it?
10. Gojimo
What does it do? This app is a one-stop-shop for when you need to cram for a big test. Its databases are loaded with hundreds of study guides and more than 100,000 quiz questions. You can search your subject or simply test your overall knowledge in an area of your choice. Use the optional timer to really light a fire under you and get your brain working!
Gojimo also features a social aspect to their app which allows you to interact with your peers. You can compare your quiz scores for some extra motivation or see what your friends are studying if you’re curious.
How much is it? Free!
Where can I download it?
11. LearnDiscovery
What does it do? This comprehensive app is considered a breakthrough learning tool by many because it teaches a wide array of subjects through use of ‘knowledge maps’—a multimedia spread that’s perfect for visual learners. Each map contains a web of images and information relevant to your topic. It’s kind of like an advanced, electronic version of those science fair poster boards we all made in elementary school.
There are more than 4 million knowledge maps to choose from and each includes photographs, paintings, videos, links and deeply informative blurbs of text to help you master the subject at hand. The goal of this app is to provide you with a visual and straight-forward presentation of the facts so you can more effectively digest and retain the information. Find something particularly helpful? You can save it in your ‘personal atlas’ and even share it on social media.
How much is it? Free!
Where can I download it?
Bookmark this article for future reference or start downloading brain-training apps today! And be sure to check out the 50 smartphone apps for college students.
