Matching Learning Apps to the Way Skills Are Learned

There has never been more help available for learning a new skill from a phone or laptop. The challenge is that many people download an app, use it enthusiastically for a week and then drift away. The apps that work best tend to be built around proven learning methods, and the best choice depends on what kind of learning the skill needs. Matching the app to the method makes a bigger difference than picking the most popular one.

The methods that work

Research on learning points to a few techniques with strong evidence:

• Retrieval practice: testing yourself, rather than rereading, strengthens memory.
• Spaced repetition: reviewing material at increasing intervals, just before you would forget it, makes learning last.
• Deliberate practice: focused practice on specific weaknesses, with feedback, improves skills faster than simply repeating what you already do well.
• Interleaving: mixing different types of problems or topics in a session rather than practicing one at a time.

Good apps build these in. When choosing, look for those that make you recall, practice and get feedback, rather than just watch.

Vocabulary and facts: flashcard apps

For anything that involves memorizing, such as vocabulary, anatomy, exam facts or historical dates, spaced repetition flashcard apps are among the most efficient tools. Anki is a long-standing option popular with medical students and language learners, with free desktop and Android versions and a paid iPhone app. Quizlet offers ready-made sets on countless subjects. Making your own cards, rather than only using other people's, tends to strengthen learning.

Languages: combine apps with real conversation

Language apps such as Duolingo, Babbel and Busuu make daily practice easy, using short lessons, streaks and reminders. They are good for building vocabulary, basic grammar and a habit. On their own, they rarely produce conversational fluency, because speaking and listening to real people are hard to replicate. Combine them with podcasts and graded readers in the target language, and with conversation practice, whether through language exchange apps such as Tandem and HelloTalk or with paid tutors on platforms such as italki and Preply.

Music: apps with feedback

Apps such as Yousician, Simply Piano and Flowkey listen through the device's microphone and give feedback on notes and timing, which helps beginners practice between or instead of lessons. They are good for getting started and for motivation. A teacher, even occasionally, can spot technique problems such as posture and hand position that apps miss.

Coding: learn by building

Interactive platforms such as freeCodeCamp, Codecademy and Khan Academy's computing courses let learners write code in the browser and get instant feedback. freeCodeCamp's curriculum and certifications are free of charge. The most important step is moving beyond tutorials to building small projects of your own, which is where much of the real learning happens.

Academic subjects and professional skills: courses

Coursera and edX offer courses from universities and companies, many of which can be audited at no cost, with paid certificates available. Khan Academy covers school and early university subjects, with exercises and progress tracking. LinkedIn Learning and Udemy offer courses on software, business and creative skills. Look for courses with exercises, quizzes and projects, not just video lectures.

Practical and creative skills: video plus practice

For cooking, drawing, woodworking, photography or home repairs, video platforms such as YouTube and Skillshare are useful for seeing techniques demonstrated. The learning still happens in the doing, so pause and practice each technique rather than watching a whole series first.

Sticking with it

• Set a small daily minimum, such as ten minutes, that is easy to keep on busy days.
• Attach learning to an existing habit, such as a commute or morning coffee.
• Use streaks and reminders, but don't let them become the goal. Doing an easy lesson to keep a streak is less useful than a harder one that stretches you.
• Measure progress by what you can do, such as holding a short conversation or playing a song, not by app points.
• Find people. Classes, clubs, online communities and study partners make learning more enjoyable and accountable.

Before paying

Most learning apps offer trials or free tiers. Try a few for a week, notice which one you actually open without forcing yourself, and check subscription terms before committing, since many renew automatically.