Saturday, May 5, 2012

17 Must-Have Android Tablet Apps for the Administrator

The administrator who just purchased an Android Tablet can easily get lost among all the apps available for the device. While having experience with using an iPad helps, it is important to keep in mind that many of the apps available for that device are not necessarily available for the Android operating system. With that in mind, when I started loading apps on my Galaxy Tab this week, the first apps I wanted were those that give me access to my web tools and files across devices. Those apps included: Evernote, Dropbox, Powernote, and now Google Drive. I then searched for apps that allow me to engage in specific tasks like read my RSS feeds, access my Diigo bookmarks, and sync my Google Calendar. In the end, I have been able to settle for what I consider to be a solid app lineup on my device. Here’s my list of must-have apps for the school administrator using an Android tablet such as the Galaxy Tabs, Toshiba Thrive, or Asus tablet.

Evernote

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This app is a premier note taking application. It allows users to take notes, collect web data, and even upload files (premium users). Multiple apps for iPad, Android, desktop and web make this an excellent way to take notes and have your information follow you across devices.  The app is an excellent way to get organized. This is a free app, with more features if you purchase a premium account.
Power Note

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Power Note is another power note book app that links to your Diigo account, giving you access to your social bookmarks. It actually does much more than that too. With Power Note you can organize text, notes, photos and bookmarks. You can identify web pages to be read later and then access on your other devices with Power Note.  This is a free app.
1 Calengoo

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This app allows access to my Google Calendar. There are several of these products available, but this one has been the most reliable, crash-free app for me. I can view my calendar and enter and edit events. This app does require a purchase.
Tweetcaster Pro

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This app is my Twitter app of choice. I like the interface and the way it displays messages. The Tweetcaster Pro version is available for purchase while there is a free version too.
Reader HD

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I searched through several RSS readers in the process of finding one that is easy to read, easy to navigate and that allows me to share out the items I am reading. Reader HD does all of those things and more. I purchased the app but there is also a free version available too.
Blogger

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There just is not a great of choice for blogging clients for Blogger for the Android operating system. This app is about the best of two. The problem is, it is still a bit buggy, but it does allow me to post from my tablet.
Dropbox

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This app completely ends the need for thumb drives and similar devices. It allows users to store files in cloud, and then access them from any device and through the web. This app syncs the contents of your Dropbox folder across devices. It is like having a file cabinet that follows you everywhere.
Google Drive

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Google Drive is another cloud storage solution that syncs across devices too. One added benefit for this app and Google Drive is that it includes you Google Docs in the storage. With this app you can access your Google Docs across devices.
Quicknote

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This app is a quick to take notes, and edit those notes. Currently the app does not sync to the cloud, but the web site says the app will do that soon. This is a very easy to use note taking app.
Amazon MP3 Player

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This app gives users access to their music stored in the Amazon cloud. This app is easily used.
Kindle

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This is the Kindle app. Now I have access to my Kindle library on my Android tablet too. Users can highlight text, take notes, and even upload documents to your Tablet to read later.
Nook

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This is the Nook app that allows you access to your Barnes and Noble ebook library.
Adobe Reader

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This app allows users to read, highlight, and comment on text in PDF documents.
Gmail

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This app gives you access to your gmail account. It allows for multiple email accounts/
Facebook

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This is the app for accessing Facebook.
QR Droid

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This app allows users to QR codes.






KeePass Droid

For more information click here
This app is a password storage app that allows you to store passwords and access through a single password. If used with Dropbox, users can edit and update their KeePass data and it will sync across devices.
This list is a good starting point for school administrators looking for apps for their Android tablet. These apps include those that sync across devices, and those that help administrators carry out some of the many tasks they face.

3 comments:

  1. This is a great list. One thing I would like to know more about is how I can incorporate QR codes in my classroom. Any pointers?

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  2. What did this list have to do with administrators?

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    Replies
    1. I realize this list would equally be useful many others, but as a school administrator, these are the apps that I use to tackle some of my own most common tasks. Apps like Evernote allow me to take meeting notes, create classroom observation logs, keep an administrators log and curate professional reading. Other apps represent simply my choice of apps for the common tasks I undertake in my role as school principal. These tasks include professional reading, social media engagement, blogging, storing documents and other media in the cloud, etc. While these tasks are hardly limited to the role of school administrator, they are tasks in which I find myself engaged as a school administrator. Also, these apps are certainly not limited in function to what school administrators do, but I am simply offering a recommendation of apps I have used to my primary audience, school administrators. In other posts and at other times, I do try to offer suggestions regarding how administrators can adapt these in their various roles. As a rule, I do not post anything about any apps I haven't used myself.

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