Inspire - a Teaching Fellows' newsletter

Promoting excellence in Learning and Teaching, driven by Middlesex Senior Fellows of HEA with contributions welcomed from all Middlesex staff.

App-date

By Dr Sheila Cunningham, Associate Professor, Health and Education

Pocket: Save Articles and Videos to View Later (Price: Free; Available on: Web/Android/iPhone)
https://getpocket.com/

 
For students (or anyone) who travels and does not have immeasurable internet or access – this offline reader is a good choice.   It is not new but has had updates and is a useful tool in the “learning on the move’’ world we live in.  The key advantage is that if you get distracted by pop ups or ads or other links then this enables you to book mark and read when you are ready (unless you have a terrific memory for where you saw the article you wished to read!).  In essence it is just a fancy bookmarking app. You create an account, save articles you want to read from any web browser, and the app organizes them and lets you read them in a clean, uncluttered view that ditches most of the ads and focuses on the text.  There are several of these apps on the market each with its own distinct features - Pocket boasts a strength with multimedia whilst a key opposition Instapaper is better for a reading experience. That one will be reviewed later but for now – it is worth a try!

 

 Debut (Price: Free; Available on: Android/iPhone)
http://debut.careers/  


Debut is a new graduate careers app that matches students with jobs from companies such as RBS, Arcadia and L’Oréal UK just by answering a simple set of questions. It takes around 10 minutes to set up and students can receive offers for fast-tracked applications from multinational firms such as Deutsche Bank and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The app “matches” the students with brands that have jobs within the fields you suggested in their profile, and allows other businesses to “talent-spot” , inviting them to apply for specific roles in their business. Debut has recently implemented a blog for advice and also a games section on the app, sponsored by brands such as L’Oréal UK for real prizes .  The companies offer careers events and interview invitations directly to students on the app, but the most coveted “prizes” are internships and fast-tracked job applications, which are reserved for outstanding candidates. 


Although the app has so far officially launched only in the UK, many employers also recruit internationally. For international students already in the UK, this alternative route into desired opportunities helps to get around difficult application procedures.  Maybe one to watch!