Assistive technology & resources
Below is a list of Assistive Technology and other resources to help you with your studies.
You can also check out the NTU Study Helper guide presented by the Libraries team. If you are eligible for DSAs, don't forget to access any existing software and technology training you may already have available.
This list is checked periodically and given in good faith but we take no responsibility for any non-NTU apps you may choose to install on your own devices. They all have some free level of service but they may be supported by advertising or by premium subscriptions.
MyNTU
Access your timetable on the go, use maps to get around campus, Check NOW resources, Access Student emails, view PC availability, record your attendance.
Note taking/managing notes
AudioNote
Note taking app that synchronises the audio to the notes you are taking. Download Audionote
Evernote
Useful text, audio and image note-taking app which allows sharing of notes between devices via an account. Allows for document creation and document storage (word, pdf, etc). Download Evernote
Outline
A note-taking app which allows you to create different notebooks for all of the areas of your life. Download Outline
Cornell Notetaking
Whether you use pen and paper or adapt it to use on a computer, the main thing is that it helps you during and after the notetaking process. It's a classic strategy for a reason! Find out more.
Zettlekasten
A deceptively simple system for managing your notes, but with the potential to scale up and become highly detailed over the long term. Find out more.
Flashcards
Pocket sized flashcards are easy to make (physically or digitally) but not always used as efficiently as they could be. Recognition and recall are not the same thing!
Spelling/Grammar
Scanning text
OCR Scanner
Take a photo of a document and convert it using OCR technology. Download OCR Scanner
Turbo Scanner
Extract multiple pages from an image. Simply take a picture of a document that you would like to extract text from and email it to yourself or others. Turbo Scanner
Text to speech
Claro
This high quality text-to-speech reader will read text. It enables the highlighting of text in time with spoken words. Useful for proof reading and helping with literacy and languages - French and Spanish are available. Download Claro
TextHelp
TextHelp includes the features of most of the apps above which aid reading, writing and literacy. It aims to support reading fluency (Fluency Tutor); comprehension (Lexiflow); and improved internet navigation (Speechstream). The app includes an e-book reader, Dictionary, Speech and Spelling. Download TextHelp
Speech to text
Microsoft Dictate
A voice-recognition application, part of the Office 356 package. Find out how to use this.
Mind mapping
Simple Mind+
This app facilitates brainstorming, idea collating and thought structuring. It enables easy experimenting and editing and offers a range of style, colours and fonts. Download Simple Mind+
Inspiration Maps
A mind mapping app which allows the user to create diagrams which can be built upon. Templates are provided to guide the user with brainstorming for essays, organising projects and planning for revision. Download Inspiration Maps
Mind Genius
Use Output Tree or Map diagram layouts, add multiple branches without interruption. Download Mind Genius
Coggle IT
Produce beautiful notes quickly and easily. Share them with friends and colleagues to work on your ideas together. Find out more.
Presentations
Prezi
Create presentations. Use pre created templates and add text and images. Download Prezi
Dictionaries, thesaurus and vocabulary
Wordweb
An English thesaurus and dictionary for Windows that can look up words in almost any program. It works off-line, but can also look up words in web references. The free version includes definitions and synonyms as well as audio and text pronunciations. Download Wordweb
Dictionary.com
As with Wordweb above, this app offers over 2,000,000 definitions, synonyms and antonyms. It also provides audio pronunciation and example usage in sentences. Download Dictionary.com
Manchester Academic Phrasebank
"The Academic Phrasebank aims to provide you with examples of some of the phraseological ‘nuts and bolts’ of writing, organised according to the main sections of a research paper or dissertation". Find out more.
Vocabulary building
Spend 5 minutes a day completing games and quizzes on Vocabulary.
Use a ‘New Word a Day’ calendar or Collins Dictionary.
Time Management
Pomodoro technique
Another deceptively simple system for focusing in short intense bursts and tracking your work over time. Takes some getting used to but some people swear by it.
Referencing
Active Listening
Listening is the first communication skill most of us will learn, so it's very easy to take for granted. Listen actively to get more out of lectures, discussions and group work. Find out more.
Recording
What about A.I, ChatGPT and things like that?
There are both good and bad ways of using A.I for education. At this stage, we would largely advise you to discuss it with your specific course team as the guidelines for appropriate AI use vary across specific assessments. You can see more guidance for NTU students on this page.