App Review- Ashley Clark

 Standard- 

ISTE 1C- Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

1. Seesaw- 

This app is a great resource I have been using for years. I would describe it as a early elementary friendly google classroom. Teachers can create lessons or choose from thousands of lessons already uploaded by teachers. Students can use the microphone, video recorder, photo button, text entry and even a drawing tool to complete assignments. There is a app and a web version. The app does not cost for students but there are some additional content that teachers must purchase to have, (ex. More than 100 activities in your library and scheduling assignments to go out at a set time.) I use this with first grade and I think with training I would even say K-5 would really benefit from this. It is available on Apple, Google, and Kindle devices as well as on the web. This was my go to app last March when we went home due to COVID-19. It allowed me to listen to my kids read, check up on them, and see them continue to learn from home. 

2. Flipgrid

This app allows you to pose a question or thought and allows students to respond to it via video. The videos can range in length depending on the settings you allow. You can upload links for them to look at before they answer as well. It is a free app. I would say any age group would enjoy Flipgrid. I think it is especially user friendly for younger students because they can talk about it instead of having to type it out which they may struggle with. It is available on IOS and Android as well as on the web. 

3. Padlet

This app allows you to do many different things. Making a wall for commenters, a timeline, a stream and even a map. The basic account is free, but there is a monthly account for $8 with more features. I would use this in grades 2nd and up. Since there is so much typing involved first grade and below might have a hard time spelling things and typing on the computers. Padlet is available on IOS, Android, and on the web. I have used this in the past during undergraduate school. It has changed a lot since the last time I have used it. I did use the wall feature during a lesson in a 6th grade practicum and it went so smoothly. It allowed them to share their thoughts as well as read others in the class. 

My personal favorite is Seesaw. It allows students to show their knowledge in a multitude of different ways. Students who have trouble speaking might prefer typing and students who struggle with writing and getting words down correctly might prefer the microphone or video option. This app allows students and teachers to connect even if they are still virtual at home. It keeps everything in their journal which acts like a running record for teachers to look back on. Teachers can even leave comments and send back work that needs to be corrected. This was a blessing during a time when everything was so hectic. We still use it in the classroom just so that we can be prepared if that situation arises again and we have to go home. 

Alabama Virtual Library Demonstration

 

Shanda Crittendon

Alabama Virtual Library Demonstration

Link: https://vimeo.com/521942316

In my video, I shared how to search for resources for elementary school students, focusing on PreK-Kindergarten. I chose Happy Reading Happy Learning with Dr. Jean and Dr. Holly as a resource to show users of  AVL how they can use this resource to teach kindergarteners how to identify the letters of the alphabet. I explained how to click on ebooks to use as a resource to teach a particular skill, such as the letters of the alphabet.  The ebook that I selected was The Alphabets Fowards and Backwards.  This resource can be used in multiple ways.  I would use it for students that are virtual learners to view as I am playing the cd that goes along with the book so that students can read and sing along with me.  I would also have the students to name the pictures in the book and think of other words that begin with a particular letter.  Educators could have the ebook pulled up on a SmartBoard or any other digital device to allow students to see the print enlarged in front of them.  Also, there is a Teacher Tool tab for educators to learn a variety of strategies to use with the resource.   

App Reviews - Lacey Williams

Storybird 

Reviews

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.2: Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic.

Storybird allows users to create stories based off of preloaded prompts. Storybird combines drawing and writing to create a story that comes to life on any mobile device.

Cost: Free with add-ons that can cost money

Intended age: 6+

Compatible: Android & Apple Devices

The review website is credible because it gives detail as to why parents and teachers should incorporate the app into their student/child's everyday academic life. CommonSense is well researched and has standards designed by educators and parents. 

Grammaropolis

Reviews

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

Grammaropolis brings grammar to life through games and animation. Grammaropolis focuses on the eight parts of speech using songs and interactive stories. 

Cost: Free for learning nouns, other parts of speech cost money.

Intended age: 7+

Compatible: Apple Devices & Google Chrome

The review website is credible because it gives detail as to why parents and teachers should incorporate the app into their student/child's everyday academic life. CommonSense is well researched and has standards designed by educators and parents. 

Prezi Next

Reviews

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.5: Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest.

Prezi Next is a mobile version of Prezi. This application allows students to create various media to present information. Prezi Next enhances presentations while adding interest to other students. 

Cost: Free

Intended Age: 6th-12th Grade

Compatible: Apple Devices

The review website is credible because it gives detail as to why parents and teachers should incorporate the app into their student/child's everyday academic life. CommonSense is well researched and has standards designed by educators and parents. 

I feel that Grammaropolis is the best application out of these three. I feel that even though it costs money, the value of what the student learns is worth it. Learning parts of speech is extremely important and is a primary building block for life. I also think that learning the concepts of parts of speech is hard and traditional methods of teaching it does not appeal to a wide enough variety of learners. Grammaropolis is colorful and unique in its approach. Students can use this app anywhere, as it does not require internet once it is downloaded. Students will WANT to use this app beyond the classroom. 

APP Reviews

Geogebra

Reviews

(CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.MG.A.1) Use geometric shapes, their measures, and their properties to describe objects (e.g., modeling a tree trunk or a human torso as a cylinder).

• The purpose of the Geogebra application is to make math for meaningful for students by manipulating math concepts in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional plane and draw connections to real-world problems. 
• The cost of the application is free. 
• It is intended for middle to high school aged students. 
• It is compatible with most handheld devices, tablets, and available as a website. 
• The third party review site, Common Sense, is a credible source because they are an independent, non-profit, research backed trusted by millions of parents and educators empowering the next generation of digital citizens. 

Blooket

Reviews

(ISTE Standards for Students) 1. Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving, and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.

    1c: Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

• The purpose of the Blooket application is to review content specific questions to deepen learning. 
• There are a variety of costs to this application. There is a free version which allows teachers to create and host games. The paid plans are $4.99 monthly or $35.88 yearly and add enhanced reporting, copying of question sets, priority support, exclusive features and early event access, and student game tokens.
• It is intended for elementary and middle school aged students. 
• It is compatible with most handheld devices, tablets, but most compatible as a website. 
• The third party review site, Common Sense, is a credible source because they are an independent, non-profit, research binding site trusted by millions of parents and educators empowering the next generation of digital citizens. 

Desmos

Reviews

(CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSG.GPE.B.4) Use coordinates to prove simple geometric theorems algebraically.

• The purpose of the Desmos application is to create an inquiry approach to mathematics, manipulating different variables to change what they choose about a graph and transform their understanding of expressions, equations, and geometric properties into dynamic graphs. 
• The cost of this application is free. 
• This application is intended for middle and high school aged students. 
• It is compatible with most handheld devices, tablets, but most compatible as a website. 
• The third party review site, Common Sense, is a credible source because they are an independent, non-profit, research binding site trusted by millions of parents and educators empowering the next generation of digital citizens. 

My Choice

As a mathematics educator, the application that I find most useful is Desmos. Desmos and Geogebra are very similar, but Desmos has all of the capabilties of Geogebra and then some. Desmos has the option to have a graphing calculator, scientific calculator, dynamic geometry software tools, and many other additions. Desmos is also rated higher than Geogebra according to Common Sense Education which is rated most user friendly by educators and parents alike. It has the capability to transform mathematics to make models concrete, and applicable to the real-world. It can be used as a tool to develop deep conceptual understanding of mathematics concepts and develop mathematical thinkers that can apply their understanding to future careers.