Here are my must-have computer apps to help you support your child’s learning in 2024

Computers are now as common in schools as calculators, but unlike calculators, they offer many additional ways to support your child’s learning. The challenge can be knowing which ones are worth your attention in a sea of digital apps and services. Here, I aim to help you analyze which ones can actually help you and your children, and which ones are optimized for laptops and desktops.

Many apps are now optimized for mobile devices, since many of us — kids and parents included — spend a lot of time on our phones. But sometimes you need a bigger screen and a user interface that offers more features, and PCs still have their place in everyday life, so I narrowed my criteria down to this. Desktop devices can be more engaging and less distracting than phones, and for that reason they can be better for schoolwork.

Also, this is by no means an exhaustive list. There is a whole world of apps that can help you and your child organize their work, create learning schedules, access educational resources, and collaborate with other students and teachers (even if they are not physically at school). This is just a quick selection that you can explore to understand what kinds of tools are currently being used in schools and use at home with your own children.

Khan Academy

Screenshot of Khan Academy home page in Chrome browser

(Photo credit: Khan Academy/Google Chrome/Microsoft)

Khan Academy is a unique online learning platform that has garnered endless praise online, and offers a variety of high-quality courses in a wide range of subjects and at many grade levels. I’m talking about topics from preschool to postgraduate – you can support your child’s learning all the way through (and beyond). It offers an extensive library of engaging video lessons, interactive practice exercises, and even in-app progress tracking.

Khan Academy is free and has been around for a long time, and you can get started today. Start by visiting the Khan Academy website and creating an account using your email address or connecting with your Google or Facebook account. Once you create an account, you’ll be able to set up a learning profile for yourself or your child and customize the content available to them based on their (or your) age and level.

Scratch

Screenshot of the Scratch homepage in Chrome

(Photo source: Scratch/Google Chrome/Microsoft)

Scratch is an innovative online platform developed by MIT that aims to introduce kids to the world of programming through a fun, colorful, and interactive interface. Aimed at kids aged eight and up (although you can introduce it to younger kids at your own discretion), it lets kids create their own interactive stories, games, and animations using a block-based coding system—think LEGO bricks, but for coding. Scratch also has an online community that your child can join (again, use your discretion), but here they can share their creations, try to collaborate with others, and check out the work of other Scratch users around the world.

You can get started using Scratch by visiting its website and creating an account that will allow you to save and share projects. Then you can delve into Scratch’s wealth of resources, which include tutorials and sample projects that will guide you (or your child) through the process of learning to code. I could go on singing Scratch’s praises, but I think you’ll really see its benefits if you check it out for yourself.

Duolingo

Screenshot of Duolingo's home page in Chrome

(Image Source: Duolingo/Google Chrome/Microsoft)

For many people, Duolingo conjures up images of a haunting green owl watching you from afar, sharpening an axe, but if you’re not familiar with it, it’s a language learning platform that’s best known for its mobile app. That said, the desktop version of Duolingo offers a comprehensive and engaging language learning experience. It’s designed for a wide range of language learners, starting from the very beginning, and courses cover over 30 languages. It offers a game-based approach to language learning, and I think that when combined with real, live language classes, it can be a really powerful tool in your arsenal.

To start using Duolingo on your computer, visit the Duolingo website and create an account by clicking the “Get Started” button. You’ll then be able to sign up using your email address or by connecting with your Google or Facebook account. You can then choose the first language you want to learn with Duolingo and take a placement test to determine where you should start. An account will allow you to track your progress and help you achieve daily goals to stay motivated.

Final Thoughts

My picks are general introductions to apps that many people find effective for parents and children to help them learn. Children come in different ages, temperaments, and more, and this is where you as a parent should decide if this app sounds interesting to you. Even if none of my suggestions sound right to you, I encourage you to explore the educational digital tools available, because there are so many!

If you are familiar with the above apps, I would say you are in a good position to help your child learn using modern digital tools, and you will be able to do so with many other digital tools. As you explore and understand these different digital platforms, consider which ones might be right for your child’s interests and learning style. And of course, don’t hesitate to go beyond this list.