Education has evolved a lot since its inception. Education has evolved a lot since its inception. As society, technology, and the needs of students changed, it also transformed education. In today’s digital age, technology has become an inseparable part of academic life. One such element is Chrome extensions. They have emerged as invaluable companions for students striving to excel in their academic endeavors.
With homework assignments becoming complex, finishing them efficiently and effectively can be a daunting task. However, Chrome extensions can offer a lifeline by transforming the way students approach their studies. In this blog, we will delve into details of how five such Chrome extensions can transform the way of doing homework.
Before we move on to the list, we must get a brief idea about what are Chrome extensions. They are essentially miniature software programs. Unlike other software that takes up a huge space of your HDD, extensions barely occupy any space. Their USP is that they can be easily integrated into the Chrome browser within minutes. They serve as multifunctional tools to simplify various aspects of homework. From enhancing writing skills to aiding in research, students can use Chrome extensions for a ton of reasons. When you get homework help from experienced writers, the experts also use certain extensions to write assignments faster and manage time.
On that note, let us look at 5 of the best Chrome extensions that every student must have on their computer.
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Grammarly
Grammarly is no stranger to most students. Especially students who have a knack for writing in their spare time must have already heard or used this extension. Grammarly is an indispensable tool for students who want to improve their writing. It has a multifaceted approach that can help students with an array of tasks, like –
- Spelling checks
- Grammar correction
- Punctuation checker
Grammarly also extends its support by suggesting style improvements. However, there is a catch. It offers both free and paid versions of the extension. Most students opt for the basic one, as it suffices their limited requirements. The free version offers basic grammar and punctuation checks.
However, if you opt for the premium version, you can get a lot more. The premium version provides more advanced features, such as plagiarism checks, vocabulary enhancement suggestions, and more. For example, if you don’t know how to phrase a sentence correctly or are unsure about maintaining the tone and style of a sentence, the paid version can help you. With Grammarly, you can confidently submit error-free essays and assignments, enhancing the quality of your work.
However, there are certain cons of Grammarly that you must know before installing it. Despite its near-perfect algorithm, it doesn’t guarantee a 100% accurate scan. Moreover, the Grammarly algorithm is especially aggressive against using passive sentences. So, users need to be extremely vigilant while using this extension. Not to mention, the cost of the paid version is $30 a month, which is significantly costlier than any other Chrome extensions available.
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Google Scholar
Google Scholar is another powerful research tool for students. It consists of a huge database of old, solved research papers, essays, and all kinds of academic resources you may need. This extension grants you free access to search for scholarly articles, books, theses, and conference papers. With unfiltered and quick access to Google Scholar’s vast database, it becomes easier for students to find academic sources for their assignments. For example, if you don’t know how to make PowerPoint presentation for research defense, you can take the help of Google Scholar.
You simply have to search for similar PowerPoints across its database. Once you get multiple samples, you can go through them and learn everything you need to know about creating slides for research defense. Google Scholar doesn’t stop there. It also helps in generating citations in various formats like MLA, APA, and Chicago. This saves you time while ensuring proper citation in your research papers.
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Save to Pocket
Save to Pocket is another handy extension that you must keep installed in your system. This extension is extremely beneficial for students, especially researchers. Researchers need to go through a mountain of data during research. It is common for them to lose track of all the things they are looking for. Many times, they forget to save the links and eventually struggle to find those data again.
So, students can use this extension while reading interesting articles, videos, or web pages. Save to Pocket acts as the perfect digital notepad in these circumstances. You just need a single click to save any resources to your Pocket account. The extension can save many resources simultaneously. Users can even access these resources later, even when they are offline. This makes it the perfect tool for collecting research materials or educational content for future reference.
This Chrome extension also extends its support to Android users. So, if you are on the go and researching from your phone or tablet, you can still use it. Install it from the Google Play Store, and you can access it from your mobile devices seamlessly. It eliminates the need to bookmark multiple pages and keeps your study materials organized in one place.
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Forest
If you are a student or doing elaborate homework, you will know how distraction can be a real problem. Humans, by default, don’t have a long attention span. Especially when you are writing something complex or mundane, the mind keeps getting distracted. The “Forest” extension aims to eliminate this issue. This is one of the most unique Chrome extensions that you may have come across. It encourages student productivity by gamifying your work sessions.
The extension works on a rather simple yet fun approach. When you activate Forest, it “plants a tree” for a specific duration. You can set the time according to your convenience before starting to work. Once the tree is planted, you must do your best to stay focused on your task. If you navigate away to distracting websites, your tree dies. Over time, you grow a virtual forest.
Not only that, Forest also has an exciting reward program. Every time you “plant” a tree in the Forest, you get 4 coins. For every five minutes, you stay focused, you keep earning one coin. Once you have crossed the 25-minute barrier, you can earn 5 coins for every 30 minutes of uninterrupted work. This visual representation of your productivity can be very motivating and helps you build better study habits.
This extension comes in both free and paid versions. While the free version is already quite engaging and can help you suffice your needs, you can check out the paid version, too. It takes only a couple of dollars to upgrade it. The paid version offers an ad-free user experience and also helps in conducting “group focus” sessions. But, if you are not interested in such features, the free version will be the ideal option for you.
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Wolfram Alpha
Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine that can assist with various subjects. From mathematics and physics to history and linguistics, this Chrome extension provides quick assistance. Once you get access to Wolfram Alpha’s vast knowledge base, you can perform a myriad of functions like –
- Mathematical calculations
- Generate plots
- Solve equations
- Obtain answers to complex questions.
Whether you need help with math homework or detailed information on a wide range of topics, Wolfram Alpha is a valuable resource. It can save you time and provide accurate information instead of just pointing to the source.
This extension is available in both free and paid versions. However, students can find many benefits, like step-by-step explanations of problems within the free option. So, think twice before investing in it. Assess your specific needs and how you plan to use it. If you are looking for a tool to help you with your studies or research, the free version is enough. But, if you work in a field that requires a lot of computational knowledge, then go for the paid version of Wolfram Alpha.
In this digital age, where technology is becoming more prominent in education, Chrome extensions can be real life-savers. They have indeed become the Swiss army knife of the students, empowering them to streamline their workflow, access crucial resources, and ultimately excel in their academic pursuits. So, go through these five Google Chrome extensions we discussed here. Each of them can help you in certain aspects. So, understand your need, and do the permutation and combination yourself to understand which would be most beneficial for you.
