App reviews - Mysti Nichols

One course I frequently teach is Oral Communication where students learn about and develop communication skills focusing on public speaking. This is a course that is considered a part of the core content for most colleges forcing students from various degree programs to take the course. Helping students understand why these skills and, therefore, this course are important for their future careers and lives is a key part of this course on my end. The fact that fear of public speaking is one of the top ranked phobias/fears reported by people makes this course specifically challenging for many students, so finding any way to help students improve their speaking in a format which is relatable to them is very beneficial. To further complicate matters, more and more classes are switching to an online format (especially in the circumstances we find ourselves in today).  This can be a difficult switch for any discipline, but for a subject that focuses on speaking in front of others, this takes some creativity. This combined with the increasing use of mobile devices over desktops/laptops, finding apps that can benefit students is particularly helpful for various reasons.

The CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4 standard states: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks.

Below is a review of three of the top rated apps for education focusing on these standards. 

Flipgrid: - $0 , age 4+

• -        Flipgrid is an app that allows students to record a video for a restricted amount of time on a chosen subject. They are then able to view one another’s videos as well as create video responses. In an online class, one of the biggest complications is building a community within the class itself. With a class which focuses on speaking in front of others, pushing students out of their comfort zones to speak in front others they do not know well is tricky in an online class. By utilizing Flipgrid discussions, this allows students the opportunity to do just this. As this app is free, I have no issues requiring my students to use it along with other class requirements. Flipgrid is compatible with both iphone and android devices.
•       Trust Radios Review: I selected this review as it includes easily read graphics along with numerous testimonials which appear very authentic.

Speeko: $11.99/month (free trial available), age 4+

•          Speeko is an app that advertises itself as “the world’s smartest personal speech coach.” The idea with this app is that you are able to create and submit a voice recording of any type of speeches, presentations, and interviews you need to rehears, and you will receive personalized information/response on how you did. I could see this being beneficial for students who are struggling with the course and with how to best present themselves. The biggest draw-back I can see is the subscription cost; therefore, I would not require this of my students but offer it as an optional aid if they desired to use it. Speeko is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
•       TeckWeek Review: TeckWeek is a reputable source for reviews on technology. While their review does not specifically state if they recommend the app, it does present a good overview of the app as a whole.

LikeSo: $4.99, age 4+

•          LikeSo is an app that provides a practice forum for presentations, interviews, and auditions along with dates and personal conversations. Similar to Speeko, students get feedback on diction and pacing as well as overall execution. This app also allows students to program words to train against such as “uh” and “um.” As the use of filler language is one of the most prominent issues my students face during speeches, this app could be a very useful practice tool; however, as it does come at a cost, I would only recommend it to students as an accessory to the class requirements. Likeso is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
•           Appreview Review: I selected this review as it gives numerous testimonials about the app. There is a wide range of reviews from those who highly recommend the app to those who do not like it with explanations for both .

After reviewing and weighing all of the information I have gathered on each app, the one I would find most useful is Flipgrid. While I think LikeSo would be very beneficial to some of my students, I do not believe all would find it necessary. I also like that Flipgrid poses no additional cost to my students.