Thing 18: Productivity Apps

If you're an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, Windows user, you've probably considered ways the device can make your life a little more fun.

Yes, you can read books, play games or watch movies, but what about using your Mobile device to organize your life?

So, what are your personal productivity challenges?  Being busy does not necessarily equate to being productive. 

"Productivity is spending your time on working towards your goals."

App developers have seized on the iPad, Mac, Android, Windows as a tool that's portable and flexible enough to accomplish the many different things people need to get done, organize task and schedule activities.

In this Thing, we’d like to look at few of these tools.

DISCOVER:

• GTasks  is a simple and efficient to-do / task management app with both local and google account modes. You can customize your to do list, set reminder, share tasks with your friends, family members or colleagues and sync with your google tasks perfectly. With it, you will never miss a task and focus more on real things.

• Wunderlist  Wunderlist is the easiest way to manage and share your daily to-do lists. Whether you’re running your own business, planning an overseas adventure or sharing a shopping list with a loved one.

• The Pomodoro technique is a productivity system that breaks work down into 25 minute chunks to improve concentration.  There are a variety of Pomodoro apps available for both iOS and Android.

• Lift  is a goal setting app, helping you to set goals, monitor progress and tap into support groups (iOS and web versions available)

    

Follow Rhodora Valdez's board Productivity on Pinterest.



EXPLORE:

• Find a timer app for your mobile device, you might choose a different one depending on the tasks you have in mind (eg. running a library activity game, timing intervals in an information literacy session).
• 30/30 is a combination of task manager and timer (Android app and iOS app )

THINKING POINTS:

• How can you use these apps in your library?
• Could you use a tool like Wunderlist as a mobile project management aid?
• Could you display a timer on a tablet to count down during games as part of a library activity program?
• Can you share lists with your colleagues, friends and family to collaborate on anything from team projects to group dinner?
• Can you add Comments and start a conversation with your teammates about any of your to-dos. You can leave feedback, ask a question or add some extra insight all from within Wunderlist?
• Are there some repetitive tasks that require focus and regular breaks (like filing, shelf reading and reshelving) – could you Pomodoro them?
• Could Lift  be used as part of a lifelong learning library program for adults to allow them to set their learning goals and monitor their progress?

Remix from the original Mobile Things:

http://23mobilethings.net/wpress/2013/07/31/thing-18-productivity-apps/

http://anz23mobilethings.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/thing-18-productivity-apps/