Top 10 Inexpensive Gadgets for Learning On-the-Go
It seems teens are more “plugged-in” than ever before. Teens use their electronic devices to stay in touch with family and friends, watch movies, play video games, and sometimes even learn!
Regardless of what your teens’ favorite devices are (tablet, cell phone, e-reader, etc.), it’s probably safe to say they are always in need of a few additional items, or “gadgets”, to go along with them. What do we mean by electronic gadgets? We are thinking about any creative contraption or thingamajig that makes using your electronic devices a little easier.
This post contains affiliate links.
Our teens use electronics daily to support their academic lessons. On a regular basis, they access Audible, documentaries, online geography games, art tutorials, online planners, and more. Over the years they have discovered a few clever and inexpensive gadgets they can’t live without.
If your teen is using electronics to help with school work, here are our top 10 electronic gadgets for learning on-the-go!
1 – Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
Fingerprints and smudges are usually a given with phone and tablet screens. Microfiber cleaning cloths will easily clean these delicate surfaces without scratching or damaging the surface.
2 – Stylus/Pen Combo
You can try to avoid getting as many fingerprints on the screens by using a stylus. Use a stylus instead of your finger on screens that are touch-responsive. My kids like to use a stylus that includes a ballpoint pen on the opposite end – convenient for searching for, and then writing down notes.
3 – Portable/External Battery Charger
Using apps and watching videos can use a lot of your devices’ battery. It’s always a good idea to have a portable charger with you when you are out and about so you can recharge electronics when needed. There are a variety of chargers available and it is important to have one that has the appropriate battery capacity for your needs.
4 – DIY Scrap Fabric Cord Wrapper
Keep charging cords and/or earbuds secure and tangle-free with this easy sewing project. Megan’s teens recently made these creative cord wrappers – they are not only useful, but they can be customized using fabrics in favorite colors and prints.
5 – GRID-IT Organizer
We have several of these organizers, in a variety of different sizes, and we use them all of the time! Rubberized woven elastic bands hold electronics and other gadgets in place when traveling.
6 – Portable Stand
We recently discovered these portable stands and have added them to our on-the-go electronics bags (and to our desktops at home). Too often when we put our phones or tablets on a table they quickly get covered by other papers and items and we waste time searching for them! With this handy little stand our devices can be sitting upon a tabletop in clear site – this makes it easy to see the screen when watching a video and it prevents other objects from being placed on top of the device (hiding it or potentially damaging the surface).
7 – Retractable Cables
Most devices include cables for charging and syncing, but often these cables get damaged or tangled. When it was time to replace cables my teens opted for retractable cables. The cables can expand to a couple of feet, but when not in use retract around a small device to make them smaller and easier to carry around (without getting all tangled). Be sure to find the cable that is comparable with your specific devices!
8 – Zipper Pouch
There can be a lot of electronic gadgets and devices to keep track of when your teens are on-the-go! We like to use a sturdy zipper pouch that can easily hold all of our different items and keep things all together. Our favorite pouches also include a little padding to protect the contents inside.
9 – Multi-Port Charger
Whenever we travel there never seem to be enough outlets to charge everyone’s devices. A friend who travels a lot recommended we get a multi-port charger – what a lifesaver! By plugging in this charger to just one outlet, you can charge multiple devices at once. We have a 5-port charger – it is so efficient we use it at home too. We can plug in tablets, phones, Fitbit, and more.
10 – Organizing/Charging Caddy
Now that we have a multi-port charger our devices usually end up “hanging out” with each other when it is charging time. Rather than have items laying all around with chords every which way we found a convenient caddy we can use to keep all of our devices neat and organized when they are charging. We use this at home and take it with us when we travel. This caddy easily holds all of our learning-on-the-go supplies and with teens around we TRY to encourage a little organization whenever possible 🙂
What is your teen’s favorite gadget for learning on-the-go?
Our friends at the iHN Homeschool Network are sharing even more ideas for favorite homeschool gadgets!