Tablets are becoming one of the most popular education tools among students. These devices represent the happy medium between a laptop and smartphone. When the first iPad debuted in 2010, it took the world by storm. While there are various tablets made by brands other than Apple, and run other operating systems such as Android instead of iOS, the iPad is undoubtedly the most popular tablet on the market. However, just because an iPad is a great tool for education does not mean it comes with the best application for high school students. Here is my list of the best iPad apps for high school students, after two years of using my iPad in school.

Note Apps

Evernote (free): Evernote is hands down, the best app for a student using an iPad to use. While iOS devices come with a simple note application, Evernote blows that out of the water. The multitude of formatting options, making lists, bullet points, definitions, and much more possible, easy organization (students can make notebooks and add tags to notes), and the fact it is free make it a great resource for students. The best part: all notes are saved to Evernote’s cloud server, making it possible for one to access their notes on any other tablet, smart phone, or computer.

Notabillity ($2.99): When typing notes, Notabillity offers similar features similar to Evernote such as easy formatting and notes saved to the cloud. Where Notabillity stands out is for handwritten notes. For classes such as science or math, this app allows you to keep all your handwritten notes digital, and offers some nice features like lined paper backgrounds (this app is especially handy if you own a stylus).

Dragon Dictation (Free): If you are looking for an app that will put speech into text, this is the app for you. Dragon Dictation is by far the best and easiest to use free dictation app.

Documents

Google Drive (Free): Instead of paying $10 an app for Apple’s equivalent of Microsoft Office or iWork, download Google Drive for one of the best word processors in the App Store. With this app you can edit your documents and your spreadsheets, and view presentations or just about anything else you have saved in your Drive. While the formatting options are limited, you can make any adjustments after the fact on your computer. The iOS version of Google Drive has many of the features found on the computer, such as sharing items and the ability to edit with multiple people, at the same time.

Prezi (Free): If you need to make a presentation on your iPad, Prezi is a great way to do it. Prezis are unique in comparison to slide shows do to its “zooming”. If you are familiar with making a Prezi online, you will feel right at home in the iPad incarnation.

CloudOn (Free): CloudOn is a good alternative or companion to Google Drive. CloudOn offers access to a ported version of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point on your iPad. These options are not the smoothest options available to an iPad users, but it is nice for those who prefer Microsoft Office. CloudOn offers a variety of cloud saving options too, allowing you to save or edit your files in Google Drive, Dropbox, and others.

Others

Google Chrome (Free): Google Chrome is a great alternate web browser in comparison to Safari. Chrome will sync all your bookmarks, history, and other settings from other devices you have used with your Google Account, and sign you in automatically to any Google websites (these features can all be turned off).

Educreations (Free): Educreations allows you to record what you are drawing and audio, Khan Academy-style. This can very useful for helping out friends or making projects, and is kind of fun.

Quizlet (Free): This is your go to app for studying. This app allows you to create flashcard sets and gives you three ways to study, one of which is a pretty fun game. Your sets can be created on Quizlet’s website, which also has more ways to study.

When used correctly, with the right applications, your iPad can be your most important tool for school.

Fellow Wildcat Word writer Colton Zuvich wrote a published book also about apps for students, titled Apps For An A+ Student (story).