Best Computers, Tablets and eBook Readers

As September approaches, students and parents are heading to the stores for all their back to school shopping. On the top of many people's lists will be some electronic device: a computer, tablet, or e-book reader. So, this week I am including links to reviews on the best desktops, laptops, tablets, and e-book readers for students.

With the assistance of the links below you should be able to narrow down your options when it comes to selecting the right technology for back to school.

Best Desktop Computers:

Best Laptop Computers:

Best Tablets:

Best E-Book Readers:

If you're on a tight budget and looking to spend as little as possible, consider buying a refurbished computer or tablet by visiting the links below:

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Improve Study Skills

Being successful as a student and as a person requires mastering a variety of different study and life skills. The following list of books will assist students in learning these skills.
As a student, you will find that reading any of the books will be time well spent.

For more information on or to purchase any of these books, you can click on any of the titles.  Many of the books are also available at the public library.  

- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Personal Workbook by Sean Covey
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Journal Spiral-bound by Stephen R. Covey
- Daily Reflections For Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
- The 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make: A Guide for Teens by Sean Covey
- Success Express for Teens: 50 Life-Changing Activities by Roger Leslie
- The Choice Is Yours: The 7 Habits Activity Guide for Teens Spiral-bound by Sean Covey
- Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens: Simple Ways to Keep Your Cool in Stressful Times (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Series) Paperback by Richard Carlson
- Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: 101 Stories of Life, Love and Learning (Chicken Soup for the Soul) Paperback by Jack Canfield
- Life Strategies for Teens Paperback by Jay McGraw
- Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations Hardcover by Alex Harris
- Life Lists for Teens: Tips, Steps, Hints, and How-Tos for Growing Up, Getting Along, Learning, and Having Fun Paperback by Pamela Espeland
- What Do You Really Want? How to Set a Goal and Go for It! A Guide for Teens Paperback by Beverly K. Bachel
- How to Win Friends and Influence People for Teen Girls Paperback by Donna Dale Carnegie
- The Success Principles for Teens: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be Paperback by Jack Canfield
- Life Strategies for Teens (Workbook) Paperback by Jay McGraw
- Be True to Yourself: A Daily Guide for Teenage Girls Paperback by Amanda Ford
- GirlWise: How to Be Confident, Capable, Cool, and in Control Paperback by Julia DeVillers
- The Anger Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Deal With Anger and Frustration (Instant Help) Paperback by Raychelle Cassada Lohmann
- Teens Can Make It Happen: Nine Steps for Success Paperback by Stedman Graham
- How to Study Paperback by Ron Fry

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Stop Procrastinating and Get Your Work Done


“Most of what we say and do is not essential. If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquillity. Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?” 
– Marcus Aurelius 


“Our life is frittered away by detail... simplify, simplify.” 
– Henry David Thoreau

Do you procrastinate?  We all do it sometimes, put off doing something important because we find it difficult, stressful or unpleasant.  But getting things done and on time is the key to being successful at school and at work.  

So, how can you change your tendency to procrastinate?  The following articles provide valuable advice.  Try some of the tips. If they don't work for you, try some of the other tips.  Everyone is unique.  Eventually you'll find the combination that works best for YOU and you'll find getting your work done will be easier and faster than before.


20 Procrastination Hacks
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Classroom Presentation Software

Looking for software to help you create an interesting classroom presentation? Try any of the products below. Remember, your content or information comes first. Then add design elements such as photos, videos and transitions to make the content more interesting. Always keep your audience in mind. Will they be able to see and hear your presentation from across the room? If not, enlarge your font, bring external speakers, and add anything else you'll need to improve the presentation. Finally, add a "Works Cited" that includes all your sources (including photos) and proofread the presentation for any errors.

Popular Presentation Software

Available to all web users:

Prezi - Create and edit your online presentations from any computer (Free). Begin by clicking on the following link:
http://prezi.com/

 Google Docs - Create and edit your online documents from any computer (Free).

 Open Office - Free to download and use presentation software for your PC computer (Free)
Available on all school computers or to those who have purchased the software:

 Microsoft Office PowerPoint is the most popular way to present your research findings for a variety of audiences. For Microsoft Office training visit the following link: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/training-FX101782702.aspx?redir=0


Available to Mac users who have purchased the software:

Apple iWork Keynote presentation software allows for additional special effects. Click on the link below for several video tutorials on using Apple's Keynote software.http://www.apple.com/findouthow/iwork/#keynote-intro

With the assistance of the above programs, students will be able to add interest to classroom oral presentations.

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Improve Typing Speed & Accuracy on Apple iPad

As someone who has been using Apple's iOS devices since the beginning of 2008, I am very familiar with the limitations of a virtual keyboard. While it is possible to use your thumbs with the iPhone's keyboard even if it is slower than typing on a physical keyboard, with the iPad this thumb typing method doesn't really work, particularly when the iPad is in landscape mode. So, I decided to explore other options for improving the speed and accuracy of typing on virtual keyboards.

Wireless Bluetooth keyboards

The most obvious solution for the limitations of the virtual keyboard is to purchase Apple's wireless Bluetooth keyboard. Click on the following link for more information. http://www.apple.com/ca/keyboard/ This is a light-weight, elegant looking keyboard that makes typing long documents on an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch faster and easier, but the $69 price tag may be too much for students on a budget.

The Source sells a similar looking Wireless Bluetooth keyboard by Nexxtech for $49.99. For more information, click on the link below. http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Mice&product=2605028


Another option for those who want to use a physical keyboard with their tablets and smartphones, etc. is the Hip Street Mini Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard with Tablet Stand ($48 at Walmart). Follow the link for more information. http://www.walmart.ca/Electronics/Computers/Tablets/HS-Mini-BT-Keyboard-W-Tablet-StandThe portable Mini Bluetooth V2.0 Keyboard is compatible with BlackBerry PlayBook, Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy, and all tablet PC's.


Voice Recognition

More recently, I've discovered another way to quickly and easily input text into an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch with an app called Dragon Dictation (free from the iTunes app store). Dragon Dictation is an easy to use voice recognition application that allows users to dictate text for emails, tweets, documents, etc. Once you're finished dictating the text, you can email it or copy and paste it into an iOS document of your choice. In my experience, Dragon Dictation is very accurate, but you will need to experiment with it to find what works for you. For example, I've noticed that punctuation needs to be verbally stated for the program to record it.

If you're finding typing on a tablet or smartphone's virtual keyboard slow and inaccurate, you may find that using a wireless Bluetooth keyboard or voice recognition software such as those mentioned above solves your problem.

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