Alexis Kestler
In today‘s world, most of us rely heavily on our mobile devices. We use them for everything from communication to entertainment. But did you know that smartphones can also be incredible tools for continuous learning and self-improvement?
With so many educational apps available today, you can learn something new whenever you have a few spare minutes. Whether you want to master a new language, develop a creative skill, or gain knowledge about any topic, there‘s likely an app that can help you achieve your goals.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore the top 7 mobile apps to learn something new every day. From brain-training games to virtual classrooms, these apps make it simple and convenient to level up your skills and expand your mind.
1. Duolingo – Learn New Languages
Knowing multiple languages is an extremely valuable skill in our globalized world. But taking traditional language classes or traveling to foreign countries to immerse yourself isn‘t always feasible. That‘s where Duolingo comes in handy!
Duolingo makes learning a new language fun and accessible through bite-sized lessons you can complete anytime, anywhere. The app offers courses in over 30 languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and even fictional tongues like High Valyrian and Klingon.
Duolingo uses a mix of writing, speaking, and listening exercises to build your vocabulary and grammar skills. As you progress, you‘ll level up and earn rewards to motivate you along the way. The app can adapt to your learning style, strengthening weaknesses and quizzing you on topics you find challenging.
One of the best parts of Duolingo is that it‘s completely free to use! While there is a paid subscription that removes ads and unlocks additional features, the core language-learning content is accessible without spending a dime.
So if you‘ve always wanted to pick up a new language but found traditional methods intimidating, give Duolingo a try. With its game-like format and bite-sized lessons, you can learn something new every time you open the app.
Download Duolingo: iOS | Android
2. Brilliant – Master Math and Science Concepts
We all use math, science, and logic in our daily lives – but most of us don‘t have a deep understanding of the core theories and principles behind these subjects. For anyone looking to revisit the basics or acquire advanced skills in STEM topics, Brilliant is an excellent educational tool.
Brilliant offers over 60 interactive courses in math, science, computer science, and more. Lessons on Brilliant take the form of puzzles and brain-teasers that gently introduce new concepts and challenge you to apply what you‘ve learned. Rather than passive reading or video lectures, you‘ll learn actively through guided discovery.
The courses on Brilliant are designed for all levels – you can start from the foundations of addition and work your way up to advanced calculus. Or dive right into quantum computing if that‘s your area of interest. Along with the standard subjects, you‘ll also find intriguing courses on topics like cryptocurrency, astronomy, and even lateral thinking.
Brilliant allows you to learn at your own pace while tracking your progress. You can access bite-sized lessons or more in-depth explorations based on the time you have available. With regular practice, you‘ll be amazed at how quickly you master challenging concepts that once seemed intimidating.
While some of Brilliant‘s premium content requires a subscription, you can access many free courses before committing. And the premium subscription is reasonably priced for the quality of the learning experience.
If you‘re seeking to strengthen your STEM skills and reasoning abilities, Brilliant‘s interactive courses are a great way to learn something new every day.
Download Brilliant: iOS | Android
3. MasterClass – Learn from World-Renowned Masters
Have you ever wished you could get mentored by masters like Gordon Ramsay, Serena Williams, or Neil deGrasse Tyson? With MasterClass, you can learn directly from 100+ of today‘s most brilliant minds through video lessons and other exclusive content.
MasterClass offers online classes across a variety of categories like cooking, writing, sports, arts, business, and more. Each class is taught by an esteemed expert – from chess legend Garry Kasparov to musical great Herbie Hancock.
Rather than relieving traditional lectures, MasterClass lessons feature the instructor in their working environment. You‘ll gain insight into their creative process, unique training techniques, and how they overcame challenges in their field. The production value is excellent, making you feel one-on-one with the teacher.
The classes are structured as a series of 10-20 minute video lessons you can view at your convenience. Workbooks, assignments, and bonus materials supplement the core video content. You have the flexibility to follow along with the full curriculum or jump between lessons that interest you most.
While MasterClass does require a subscription, the price is reasonable given the expertise you gain access to. And new classes are continually added in diverse topics, so there‘s always more to explore.
If you want to learn directly from the best, MasterClass grants you private mentoring from world-famous masters – making it easy to discover something fascinating every time you use the app.
Download MasterClass: iOS | Android
4. edX – Take Free Online Courses
edX offers thousands of free online courses from 140+ of the world‘s top universities and organizations, allowing you to continually expand your knowledge from anywhere.
The course catalog on edX spans a diverse range of topics – from programming and data science to history, photography, and even dog training! Whether you‘re looking to develop professional skills or explore a personal interest, edX has something to enhance your abilities.
Most courses follow a structured curriculum over 4-12 weeks, with video lectures, readings, quizzes, and community discussion forums. The time commitment for completing a course ranges from 2-6 hours per week. While many courses can be audited for free, pursuing a verified certificate does come at a cost.
The best part of edX is that courses are often taught by real professors from schools like Harvard, MIT, and Columbia. You gain access to quality instruction without the high costs and commitment of enrolling at the universities themselves.
edX is ideal for self-driven learners who want college-level learning paired with the flexibility of setting your own schedule. And with new courses constantly being added, you‘ll never run out of material to expand your horizons.
Whether you‘re preparing for a career shift, exploring a topic you missed in college, or simply seeking to become an lifelong learner, edX offers an amazing selection of courses to enroll in.
5. HelloTalk – Connect with Language Partners
Although apps like Duolingo are great for vocabulary drills, nothing beats conversing with a native speaker for building fluency in a foreign language. That‘s where HelloTalk comes in – it connects you with native speakers around the world to exchange messages and voice memos in your target language.
After selecting your native language and languages you want to learn, HelloTalk matches you with partners interested in learning yours. You can text, audio/video chat, and make posts in your community feed to engage in authentic conversations.
As you chat, you can correct each other‘s sentences and provide feedback. Built-in translation and transliteration features make it easy to communicate, even at lower proficiency levels. And you‘ll pick up more natural conversational patterns and slang you won‘t find in textbooks.
HelloTalk also offers Moments – bite-sized lessons and challenges to expand your vocabulary on trending topics. Plus, the app hosts virtual meetups and events to connect further with your language partners.
Having real conversations is critical to achieving fluency in any language. With HelloTalk‘s huge global community, you can easily find partners who match your interests and goals. Plus, it‘s fun and rewarding to help others learn your native tongue in exchange!
Download HelloTalk: iOS | Android
6. Skillshare – Unleash Your Creativity
Have you ever wanted to explore your creative side through writing, drawing, photography, or other visual arts? Skillshare offers thousands of online classes to unlock your inner artist, photographer, designer, and more.
Skillshare‘s teachers are working creative professionals who share practical tips and projects designed for beginners. You can develop skills across a broad range of creative disciplines like illustration, graphic design, crafts, creative writing, film, and animation.
Most classes use a combination of video lessons, downloadable resources, and a class project to guide you through the creative process from start to finish. The short lesson format makes it easy to complete a class incrementally when you have spare time. And you get to keep access to materials from any class you start.
Beyond structured classes, Skillshare offers creative challenges and community feedback forums to keep you inspired as you build your skills. You can share and get critiques on your projects from fellow creatives around the world.
While Skillshare offers a massive free trial, unlocking unlimited access to all courses does require a paid subscription. But the price is very reasonable given the depth of quality content available.
For anyone seeking to explore their creative abilities in their spare time, Skillshare offers the perfect curriculum. With thousands of classes spanning artistic and design skills, you can learn something new whenever inspiration strikes.
Download Skillshare: iOS | Android
7. Pocket – Bookmark and Read Fascinating Content
With so much great content published online every day, it‘s hard to keep up – let alone carve time out to read the content that matters. Pocket solves this by letting you save articles, videos, and more into a personal library to view anytime.
The Pocket app lets you save content from any app or browser with a single click. You can also recommend or share interesting finds with friends and the broader Pocket community.
Your Pocket library synchronizes across all your devices, so you can access saved content on your phone, tablet, or computer. You can adjust text settings and browsing views for an optimized reading experience.
One of Pocket‘s best features is its personalized recommendations. Based on your saves and interests, Pocket suggests high-quality content to expand your knowledge. This makes it easy to uncover fascinating new material in your niche.
Pocket has a free version with robust features, but upgrading to Pocket Premium removes ads and unlocks full text to speech support. At only $4.99 per month, Pocket Premium is great for maximizing reading time during commutes.
For anyone struggling to keep up with their reading list, Pocket is an indispensable tool. With its personalized recommendations and seamless access across devices, learning something new is always just a tap away.
Download Pocket: iOS | Android
Start Learning on the Go!
The smartphone age presents amazing opportunities for effortless learning on the go. Whether you have a few minutes waiting in line or a couple hours to immerse yourself, educational apps make productive use of small pockets of time.
The 7 apps explored above are just a sample of the thousands available to enrich your knowledge and skills in areas that matter most to you. So the next time you catch yourself mindlessly scrolling through feeds, stop and open one of these apps instead. You‘ll be amazed at just how much you can learn every single day.
And don‘t be afraid to experiment with apps outside your usual interests – some of the most valuable learning happens when we step outside our comfort zones. Approach these apps with an open mind, and they are sure to broaden your horizons.
Now go ahead – expand your abilities, awaken your creativity, and satisfy your curiosity by downloading some new educational apps today. A world of fascinating knowledge is waiting at your fingertips.
