App Reviews : Courtney Kidd

Common Core 

ELA 6-12 

Reading Standard for Informational Text 

Key Ideas and Details 

2. Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.  

 

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/newsela/teacher-reviews/4054336 

Newsela third party review link 

Newsela is an educational platform that provides news articles tailored to different reading levels. The activities related to each article cover reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. This is an excellent app to use when guiding students through nonfiction content. Also, it offers writing prompts that can be altered to suit the needs of your students. Newsela Lite is free to use, and Newsela Pro costs $18/student per year. Newsela is primarily designed for students in grades 2 through 12. Newsela can be accessed via web browser or mobile application. Also, Newsela integrates with various LMS platforms. Common Sense Education is a reliable source because they offer unbiased reviews from educators and students, providing insights into the educational value and potential of various resources. They offer research-based resources, transparency in the review process, and comprehensive resources.  

 

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/readtheory/teacher-reviews/5117086 

ReadTheory third party review link 

ReadTheory is an educational platform that offers students an adaptive reading comprehension program. It is able to determine the reading levels of each student and assign them passages to read on their level. It offers personalized practice and feedback, vocabulary training, and instructional support for students that can be accessed at will. ReadTheory is a free program. It is recommended for K-12 students. ReadTheory can be accessed via web browser or mobile application. Common Sense Education is a reliable source because they offer unbiased reviews from educators and students, providing insights into the educational value and potential of various resources. They offer research-based resources, transparency in the review process, and comprehensive resources. 

 

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/readworks/teacher-reviews/4021366 

ReadWorks third party review link 

ReadWorks is an educational platform that provides numerous high-quality, nonfiction, and fiction reading passages. There are associated questions related to the text and vocabulary worksheets. Teachers can receive assistance with creating focused units based on skill and strategy lessons, comprehension, and novel study. ReadWorks is a free online resource. It is intended for students in grades K-12. This resource is only available via web browsers. Common Sense Education is a reliable source because they offer unbiased reviews from educators and students, providing insights into the educational value and potential of various resources. They offer research-based resources, transparency in the review process, and comprehensive resources. 

 

I have used all three of these apps in my classroom at some point in my career, but Newsela stands out as the most reliable and engaging platform. The articles and information are updated regularly, and my students were interested in current events and giving their opinions. Newsela offers differentiated reading levels and real-world connections for students. Additionally, I have grouped students within the same reading level range and rotated them into small groups. The platform is easy to use, and it provides tools for tracking student progress and adapting instruction based on performance.  

App Reviews by Anna Rains

 Standard: MA19.2.10-Fluently add and subtract within 100, using strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction. 

 

IXL:   IXL App Link

Common Sense Review

 

IXL is a web-based site that also offers an app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It has math, reading, science, and social studies practice for grades PK-12. You can select practice by state standards, curriculum, or browse all skills. I love that if a child is struggling to master a specific skill, they can go to the previous grade and master it at an easier level. It allows them to fill in gaps they may have in learning. If you have an advanced student, they can be promoted to a higher grade level to master more challenging material. The price for at-home use ranges from $9.95 to $19.95 per month. I’m not sure of the cost if your school district uses it. I used CommonSense.org for all my third-party reviews because it is a non-profit organization that works to improve the digital world for kids and their families.

 

i-Ready Connect for Students:   i-Ready App Link

Common Sense Review

 

            i-Ready is a web-based platform that also offers an app, i-Ready Connect for Students, available on the Apple App Store; however, it is not available on the Google Play Store. It is also only available to students who use i-Ready in their school; it syncs with progress and assignments from the classroom.  Each student has a customized path that addresses any learning gaps they may have. There is also a feature that allows educators to assign specific skills practice and assessments for math or reading. I used CommonSense.org for all my third-party reviews because it is a non-profit organization that works to improve the digital world for kids and their families.

 

Splash Learn:   Splash Learn App Link

Common Sense Review

 

Splash Learn is a web-based site that also offers an app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It provides over 4,000 reading and math experiences for children aged 3 to 11 years old. It will customize lesson plans for your child and encourage mastery by offering rewards and engaging games. The cost for educators to use the web-based tool during school hours is free. For parents, the monthly price is $8 for math and $8 for reading, or you can get both for $12 per month. It also offers discounts if you pay annually, and you can get both for $90 per year. I used CommonSense.org for all my third-party reviews because it is a non-profit organization that works to improve the digital world for kids and their families.

 

Splash Learn:

                  Splash Learn is the ideal choice for both students and educators to enhance math instruction that aligns with both reading and math standards. This app doesn’t have to be used in the student’s classroom to be used at home, like i-Ready Student Connect. It is also slightly cheaper than using IXL. While IXL offers great skill practice, it lacks the interactive games and manipulatives that are available with Splash Learn.

Splash Learn provides interactive, game-based activities that engage students while reinforcing foundational concepts. It utilizes visual models, number lines, and manipulatives, offering personalized practice tailored to each student’s level. The price is also reasonable for parents who want to use it at home, but it is provided free of charge to educators for use during the instructional day. This allows educators to differentiate instruction effectively. The Splash Learn website enables teachers to track real-time progress and generate detailed reports, supporting data-driven lesson planning and helping them identify and address learning gaps. Since Splash Learn offers curriculum-aligned content and engaging digital tools, it is an excellent resource for fostering fluency and conceptual understanding in a way that is enjoyable for 2^nd-grade students.

App Review- Leah Spears

App Reviews

App name: LingoKids

Standard: Health Georgia Standards of Excellence- HE.2.1 Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.

Learning outcome: HE2.1.a Describe healthy behaviors that promote personal health, wellness, and disease prevention.

Third party review: https://learningreadinghub.com/blog/apps/comprehensive-lingokids-review-is-it-the-right-app-for-your-child/

Narrative: Lingokids is an engaging and educational app. It was made by educators and parents. This app was created for preschool through third grade students. Lingokids has interactive activities, modern life skills, and play learning methods. It covers many subjects and themes that help students grow. Lingokids track progress and achievement. Lingokids has a health component that helps promote nutrition and body hygiene. This app is compatible with iOS and android devices; in addition, it cost $74.99 per year. However, it does offer a free weekly trial. I believe the review from learning reading hub is credible because it has positive reviews and testimonials from parents and educators. Also, it has expert endorsements and detailed explanations and resources.

App name: MentalUP

Standard: Fitness- PE6.3 The physically educated student demonstrates knowledge and skills to help achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness.

Learning outcome: PE6.3.b Participates in a variety of cardiovascular activities in school and home settings which are considered Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA).

Third party review: https://www.educationalappstore.com/app/mentalup-educational-games

Narrative: MentalUP has educational learning games, personal skill-based games, fitness exercises at home without equipment, and daily workouts. This app was designed for children ages 4-13. MentalUP is compatible with iOS and android devices, but it can be used on PCs, Macs, and Chromebooks. It has three types of subscriptions: 3 months is $19.99, 6 months is $29.99, and 1 year is $35.99. The reason I chose a review from The Educational App Store because it aims to a be credible platform for discovering and recommending educational apps and websites. They emphasize transparency and trust, and they claim that all apps and websites certified and reviewed by experience teachers.

App name: BrainPOP

Standards: HEHS.5 Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health. HEHS.6 Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health.HEHS.7 Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.

Third party review: https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/brainpop

Narrative: BainPOP is fantastic educational app made by teachers. It has a huge range of topics that covers multiple subjects. BainPOP has movies, activities, and quizzes to promote higher learning. This app was designed for students ages 9-11. BrainPOP is compatible with a wide range of devices, including PCs, Macs, projectors, and interactive whiteboards. It also offers mobile apps for tablets and smartphones, supporting iOS, Android, Chrome, and Windows 8 operating systems. BainPOP has a two weeks free trial. After two weeks you can pay $15.99 a month or $129.99 a year. Common Sense Education is generally considered a credible resource for app reviews, especially concerning educational value and appropriateness for children, given their non-profit status, research-backed methodology, and expert reviewers. 

Overall, it is extremely hard to find apps geared towards health and PE. Therefore, I like BrainPOP the most because it provides a variety of health topics. It promotes physical health, supports social-emotional learning, encourages and healthy habits. In addition, BainPOP builds on prior knowledge and enhances critical thinking skills. I can definitely see myself using this app with my third through fifth grade students.

App Review - Tiffany Whitten

 App Review

Alabama 8th Grade Math Course of Study Standard

12. Solve systems of two linear equations in two variables by graphing and substitution.

a. Explain that the solution(s) of systems of two linear equations in two variables corresponds to points of

intersection on their graphs because points of intersection satisfy both equations simultaneously.

b. Interpret and justify the results of systems of two linear equations in two variables (one solution, no solution, or infinitely many solutions) when applied to real-world and mathematical problems.

Desmos Graphing Calculator: https://www.desmos.com/

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/desmos

Desmos calculator is a helpful website and application that allows teachers and students to use their calculator, graphing tools, and interactive graphs to graph solutions to systems of equations, analyze solutions, and slope. The cost for Desmos calculator is free for teachers and students on the website and by application on Android and Apple devices. Their calculator is intended for grades six through twelve. The platform is highly regarded by educators for its intuitive interface and student-friendly features. It also integrates with major educational publishers such as Pearson, Savvas, and McGraw Hill, enhancing its credibility and versatility. With consistently strong reviews from teachers and widespread use in classrooms nationwide, Desmos stands out as a trusted and effective resource for math instruction.

GeoGebra: https://www.geogebra.org/

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/geogebra

GeoGebra is an interactive website and application that enables teachers and students to explore and manipulate equations, functions, and geometric shapes to deepen their understanding of mathematical properties. It also includes tools for basic calculations and graphing, making it a versatile resource for a wide range of math concepts. For systems of equations, students can use the graphing tool and interactive tools to check solutions for infinitely many and no solutions. The cost for GeoGebra is free for teachers and students by website and by application for Android and Apple devices. The calculator and interactive tools are meant for use from grade six through college level math. GeoGebra is widely trusted and reviewed well by math teachers and students. Commonsense.org rates GeoGebra highly in instructional value and alignment with math curriculum. GeoGebra also integrates well with Google Classroom.

Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/khan-academy

Khan Academy provides interactive lessons and videos that help students and teachers with understanding and practices mathematical concepts. It helps students and teachers with understanding and practicing systems of equations by separating each concept into ways to solve like graphing, substitution, and elimination. It also provides options for real-word application practice for many mathematical concepts. The cost of Khan Academy is free for teachers and student, but they ask for donations. Khan Academy can be used on the website and downloaded for free on Android and Apple devices. The learning platform credited by College Board and the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. Many educators review it well for help with multiple languages and intervention.

One application that I feel is most helpful for teaching and learning systems of equations is the Desmos Graphing Calculator. Its graphing capabilities and classroom-ready activities make it valuable for helping students visualizing the point of intersection and understanding the meaning behind one solution, no solution, or infinitely many solutions. Desmos supports inquiry-based learning allowing students to manipulate equations in real time, which deepens conceptual understanding of the types of solutions and relation to slope. Additionally, it integrates well with many instructional platforms to help with ease of access for students. For these reasons, Desmos stands out as the most engaging and instructional tool to support this standard.

App Review By Bailey Arnaud

 

Kahoot!

Health Standard: HE HS.1: Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/kahoot

Kahoot! is an interactive game-based learning platform. It features engaging quizzes called “kahoots” that are usually multiple choice and created by users. The games can be played through a web browser or the Kahoot! mobile app. Kahoot! offers both free and paid plans ranging from $3.99 to $19.99 depending on the package. The intended audience for the app is school aged children ages 5-18. The review website is a credible source because it comes from Common Sense Education, a non-profit that follows a structured educational review process and includes expert evaluation.

Sworkit Kids

PE Standard: PEGPE.1 The physically educated student demonstrates competency in a variety motor skills and movement patterns.

https://www.eschoolnews.com/innovative-teaching/2018/07/09/app-of-the-week-sworkit-kids/

Sworkit Kids is a fitness app that focuses on exercises and workout videos that are put on by kids. Sworkit Kids workouts and application are free of charge. The intended age group for this app is school aged children K-12. The app is compatible with mobile devices as well as web users. The review comes from the credible source eSchool news.

Nike Run Club

PE Standard: PEGPE.3 The physically educated student demonstrates knowledge and skills to help achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness.

https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/nike-run-club-review

Nike Run Club app is a run/walk tracking that also features other guided workouts. Unlike many of the other similar apps, NRC is completely free. You can access the app from a mobile device or a smartwatch. The Nike Run Club app is available to a broad range of users but usually for people who are old enough to run on their own. The review site Tom’s Guide is a credible source whose writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps.

Best App: Nike Run Club

Out of these three apps, I think the Nike Run Club app is the best. As a high school physical education teacher, I use this app as makeup work for students that miss a day in PE or a fitness day in Health. The students download the app in the first week of school that way I know all students have access to it when they are out. They complete any workout on the app, take a picture of their watch or a screenshot of the results, and email it to me for full credit. I learned this from a former health and physical education teacher at a professional development and have used it ever since. One thing that I wish the app offered is a way for the teacher to track the students’ progress throughout a semester. If this were a feature in the app, teachers could use it for more than just makeup work. It could be a way to track their fitness components and progress.

App Reviews

 ISTE Standards for Students (2016)

Standard 1.3 - Knowledge Constructor

Verbiage: Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts, and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.

App 1: Epic! - Digital Library for Kids

Review Link: Common Sense Media Review of Epic!                    https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/epic

Epic! provides access to a massive digital library of over 40,000 books, audiobooks, and educational videos tailored to children’s reading levels and interests. The cost is free for educators and a family subscription is $9.99/month. The age range is 4–12 years of age. The platform compatibility is iOS, Android, and web-based computers. Common Sense Media is a trusted nonprofit organization known for its objective reviews of media and technology used by children and educators. It uses a transparent rubric based on educational value, ease of use, and user feedback.

 

App 2: Khan Academy Kids

Review Link: Common Sense Media Review of Khan Academy Kids https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/khan-academy-kids

Khan Academy Kids offers engaging, standards-aligned activities in literacy, math, logic, and emotional development through games, songs, and stories. The cost is free. The age group is 2-8 years old. The platform compatibility is iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire tablets. Common Sense Media provides detailed evaluations from educators and parents, including privacy and safety ratings, which are critical when using apps with young children.

 

App 3: Nearpod

Review Link: EdTech Impact Review of Nearpod                  https://edtechimpact.com/products/nearpod/

Nearpod allows teachers to create interactive lessons that include quizzes, polls, videos, and VR experiences. Students can follow along in real-time on their own devices. The cost is free for basic version and premium starts at $159/year. The age group is suitable for grades K–12. The platform compatibility is web-based computers, iOS, Android. EdTech Impact collects reviews from verified educators around the world and evaluates apps based on classroom impact, pedagogy, and ease of implementation.

 

Best App Choice: Nearpod

Nearpod stands out because it is interactive, adaptable across all grade levels, and supports real-time engagement, which aligns well with the ISTE Knowledge Constructor standard. It allows students to access a variety of digital resources, reflect on their learning, and collaborate during lessons. Its integration of multimedia content and assessment tools makes it ideal for both in person and remote learning environments.