App Review - Katlyn Smith

 App 1 - Grammaropolis

Standard - ALEX L6.1 37 ) Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. [L.6.1]

Grammeropolis

App Review : https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/word-sort-by-grammaropolis

This app uses games, videos, and summative assessments to make learning grammar more fun and engaging. It can be used for Grades Kindergarten through 6th grade. Full access to the app is $1.99, but some lessons can be found for free online. The website above is the site that connects with Grammeropolis, and the same materials can be reached on the website. 

App 2 - Sushi Monster 

Standards - Alex Grade 1 - 5. 5. Relate counting to addition and subtraction.

Sushi Monster

App Review: https://learningworksforkids.com/playbooks/sushi-monster/

This app uses games and fun characters to review appropriate math context that aligns with the standards. It can be used for grades 1-3. Full access to the app is free. The websites above are the link to the app store and a link to the review along with implementation examples. 

App 3 - Spark Reading for Kids

Spark Reading

App Review - https://learningworksforkids.com/apps/spark-reading-for-kids/

Standards - Alex - Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text. [RI.2.1]

This app integrates STEM topics with reading to promote whole brain thinking and informational texts. It can be used for Grades 2-10. Full Access to this app is free. The website listed is the link to the app store as well as a link to the review along with implementation examples. 

Of the three, I believe that Grammaropolis would be the most beneficial to students. The fact that most classrooms do not put a lot of focus on Grammar means that students need more support in this area. This can be a quick review to do in those last few minutes of class when the lesson is over, and the students can focus on another task while still having fun with the fun games and characters.

APP Review- Barbara Cook

 App Reviews- Barbara Cook

AAS Standard: SS.AAS.10.11- Recognize reform movements and reform leaders of the pre-Civil War Era.

 History Channel App 

Cost: Free

Grade Level: 6-Secondary Ed. 

Platforms: iOS and Android

The History Channel App is a great application that students can utilize when learning new history topics. They have a large library of free documentaries and shows that you can choose from. With this app, I can save time in class by assigning them to watch a documentary outside of class that will reinforce the information learned in class. 

 

ELA.AAS.2.3- Answer questions about the characters and
events in a story.

BrainPOP App

Cost:Free

Grade Level: K-3

Platforms: iPad, iPhone, Apple TV 

This app delivers a different animated movie each week with quizzes and activities that engage students in the learning process. It has several topics, so it can be used in within a lot of different subjects. This would be a great resource for teachers who teach a lot of subjects. This app strengthens critical thinking and encourages children to engage in their education.

 

 AL-290-3-3-2015.48.02.c.10 - Employ technology in the service of teaching and learning.

Book Creator

Cost: Free

Grade Level:  3-12 (but I think higher Ed as well)

Platforms: iPad, and any devise with internet access

This is a digital book making tool that is available in 10 languages. Students can create books using images and illustrations from the internet. Teachers can check on the progress of the student's work while the student is the creation period, and can add it to a digital library for all the students to read when completed. It has text-to-speech, closed captioning, and screen reader capability, as well.

Of the three, I really like Book Creator the best. This app can be used in determining the students understanding of the material presented in class. They can express themselves individually with the use of pictures and images as well. The feature that allows the teacher to view the book while the student is working on it, is great. The teacher can give input or instruction to ensure the student stays on track.

App Review - Rebecca Henderson

 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.1

Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.

1. Explain Everything App - 

https://www.commonsense.org/education/how-we-rate-and-review

This app records the speech, graphics, and thought process of the user. This is a great tool for both the teacher and the student. As a teacher, I have used this to create a mini-lesson for my students but I have also used this app for my students to share with me their thoughts. It allows me to "see" what they are thinking. They have a 5-star rating on the commonsense website.

 The cost is free to try and there is a paid version with more features. 

The age range is from 3 grade -university. 

The device platform is Apple for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, Android, and Chrome.

Commonsense is a non-profit company dedicated to helping improve the lives of families and kids by providing information and education you can trust in the 21st century.  

2.  Plickers - 

https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/plickers

This app is used by the teacher rather than the student. The students use either a card or a sticker with a printed QR code. The teacher uses an iPhone, iPad, or Android device with a camera to scan the "plicker" cards to record the student answers. This is a cheaper version of student response system commonly called clickers. 

Originally, when I used this tool/app it was free. The only cost associated was the making of the cards or plickers. From the most current reviews, it seems like there is a cost associated with the program. I could not find that information on the website to be true. 

The age range claims to be 3rd grade - university. I am sure if taught correctly a 2nd grader could easily use the plicker. 

The device platform is Apple for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and android with a camera. 

Commonsense is a non-profit company dedicated to helping improve the lives of families and kids by providing information and education you can trust in the 21st century.  

3. Remind - 

https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/remind

The remind app is a great to communicate with parents and students outside of school without having to exchange personal information. I can send information to the group and receive direct messages from a parent through the remind app. All of this can occur without personal numbers being exchanged. Parents feel better about being able to communicate with the teachers and teachers feel better about having an open line of communication with both students and parents. This is used for school assignments and extra curricular activities as well. 

The app is free to use and join. 

The age range can be for pre-k to university students. The Pre-K students will not be using the app but the parents will. 

The device platform any cell phone that receives text messages, website, android, apple. 

Commonsense is a non-profit company dedicated to helping improve the lives of families and kids by providing information and education you can trust in the 21st century.  

Of the three apps, I feel that Explain Everything would work best with the common core standard  CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.1. In this standard you are citing textual evidence to support your claim. You can do this in this app by drawing reference lines back to your evidence, talking about evidence, or writing it out in text form. When you are finished, you can share your video creation with your class or teacher. 

App Review - Adam Clark

 Interactive Constitution

Review of the Interactive Constitution app

AL Social Studies 12.3: Analyze major features of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights for purposes, organization, functions, and principles, including rule of law, federalism, limited government, popular sovereignty, judicial review, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

This app allows students to explore the constitution section by section. The layout of the app helps students access the document quickly and easily. The app also provides interpretations of the various articles and clauses located in the document. 

This app can be used by students in all grade levels however, the interpretations seem to be best suited for the secondary grades. 

Cost: FREE

This app is available on both iPhone and iPad as well as Android devices. There is also a web-based version. 

LearningReviews.com is a site dedicated to reviewing free web tools and apps for educators. This is a website for educators with curated reviews from educators who have had hands-on experience with these tools. This review is credible because it comes from educators in the classroom, not educational bloggers or writers who have been out of the classroom for several years. 

Oyez

Reviews of the Oyez App

AL Social Studies 12.13: Evaluate constitutional provisions of the judicial branch of the government of the United States, including checks by the judicial branch on other branches of government, limits on judicial power, and the process by which cases are argued before the United States Supreme Court.

• Explaining the structure and jurisdiction of court systems of the United States, including lower courts and appellate courts
• Identifying the impact of landmark United States Supreme Court cases on constitutional interpretation
Examples: Marbury versus Madison, Miranda versus Arizona, Tinker versus Des Moines, Gideon versus Wainwright, Reno versus American Civil Liberties Union, United States versus Nixon, McCulloch versus Maryland, Wallace versus Jaffree, Wyatt versus Stickney, Powell versus Alabama (Alabama)

This app allows students to research Supreme Court cases by simply searching the name of the case. Students can access information such as the background of the case, the argument, and the decision. Students even have access to the written opinions for the cases as well as audio recordings of the case being argued in some instances. 

This app is best suited for upper secondary students 10-12/Advanced Placement students. 

Cost: FREE

This app is only available on iOS devices. There is also a web-based version available. 

The review for this app comes from a site that curates user reviews of various applications. User reviews are more reliable because they tell the whole story of the app. Some users may have a positive experience and others may not. These reviews provide the reasons behind all experiences not just the positive.

Apprend

Apprend App Review

This app correlates to the entire 10th and 11th U.S. History course of study as well as the AP U.S. History Curriculum. 

This provides timelines of events for various periods in U.S. History, along with articles and cartoons about different historical events and concepts. There is also a section with rubric breakdowns for the essays on the AP U.S. History exam. Lastly, there is a Flashcard review section that is currently in development. 

This app is designed for upper secondary students in grades 10 -12 as well as AP students, but some of the content such as the cartoons are accessible to middle and upper elementary students. 

Cost: FREE

This app is only available on iOS devices. There is also a web-based version available. 

The review site is credible because it includes a review written by the website owners which includes very specific details including screenshots. The site also includes user reviews which are the most reliable. 

App Reviews - Alexa Casey

ENGLISH 11 ALABAMA COURSE OF STUDY STANDARD

14. Participate in collaborative discussions involving multiple cultural and literary perspectives, responding to, contributing to, building upon, and questioning the ideas of others with relevant, appropriate evidence and commentary. 

(Critical Literacy - Expression - Speaking)

Parlay Reviews from Common Sense Media

This application is a discussion-based digital tool for educators that allows students to interact with one another on roundtable discussions, live or student-paced, and allows allows teachers to facilitate a controlled digital collaborative discussion through teacher controls and the option to give students the names of famous pioneers in academia. Parlay has a free teacher trial that includes 12 roundtable discussions, the ability to post directly to Google Classroom, all with no time limit. They also have a Paid Teacher License ($120 a year), 5-Teacher Pack License ($720 a year), and a District License ($3 per student per year). All of the "premium" accounts feature the same additions: unlimited roundtables, unlimited students, and unlimited prompts by demand. The intended age group for Parlay is middle school and beyond. Due to some of the more complex commenting and collaborative features, it would not be appropriate for elementary grades. Parlay is online-based without having to download the application from an app store, so it makes it accessible on any device that can access the internet. The review that is posted above is provided by Common Sense for Education, which is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing trustworthy information and education. Common Sense for Education is a well-respected organization.

Padlet Review from Common Sense Media

Much like Parlay, this application is a discussion-based digital tool for educators that allows students to interact with one another in multiple formats: wall, canvas, shelf, stream, grid, timeline, and map. Teachers design the background of the interactive board, adding sections or points that students can add to the discussion. Students are able to comment on and like each other's comments. Parlay has a free teacher version that includes 3 Padlet boards at any one time. They also have a Paid "Upgraded" Teacher License that is $10 a month or $96 a year. The upgraded plan includes unlimited Padlet boards and a higher upload speed. The intended age group for Padlet is intermediate school and beyond. Due to its very simple and streamlined design, it would be appropriate for a wide age-range of students. Padlet is online-based without having to download the application from an app store, so it makes it accessible on any device that can access the internet. The review that is posted above is provided by Common Sense for Education, which is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing trustworthy information and education. Common Sense for Education is a well-respected organization.

Google Jamboard Review from Common Sense Media

Much like Parlay and Padlet, this application is a discussion-based digital tool for educators that allows students to interact with one another; however, with Google Jamboard, students are interacting primarily on a digital whiteboard with the option to add pictures, add text, add sticky notes, add shapes, and add drawings. Teachers design the background of the Jamboard, then give students editor access by sharing a link with editing permissions. Students are able to interact in real-time with one another on the same whiteboard in a collaborative discussion. Google Jamboard is free to use, as long as one has a Google Account, which is also free to set up. There are no upgrades to Google Jamboard, as it is an entirely free application; however, Google offers its own version of the Promethean ActivPanel called the "Google Jamboard" that is meant to streamline with the application. They cost around $4,999 with a one-time support fee payment of $600. The intended age group for Google Jamboard is intermediate school and beyond. Due to its very simple and streamlined design, it would be appropriate for a wide age-range of students. Google Jamboard is online-based without having to download the application from an app store, but also offers a downloadable application for better mobile features. Both of these options make it accessible on any device that can access the internet. The review that is posted above is provided by Common Sense for Education, which is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing trustworthy information and education. Common Sense for Education is a well-respected organization.

Which is the best?

Out of all of these apps, there is a clear winner when longevity, ease of use, and composition time are taken into account. Parlay, while a fantastic resource, is something that is only used once or twice, as it requires a lot of frontloading to set up the live or student-paced roundtable discussion. It is not meant to be a tool that is used often. Padlet, while easy to use, is a bit less modern than the other two and does not offer a real-time option like Google Jamboard. Not only that, but students can post anonymously, which can cause headaches when trying to gauge student mastery of a speaking standard. Padlet is the same function in several slightly differing formats. Google Jamboard, on the other hand, offers a more modern and versatile way to have students collaborate. Jamboards are quick to set up. Just create your background, upload, and share. It's that simple! I have used them for collaborative grammar review, character analysis, categorizing figurative language in Beowulf, plotting character relationships in novels, identifying plot points, etc. You name it, I have done it with a Google Jamboard. To me, the Google Jamboard is the most modern, easy to use, eye-catching, and versatile tool for collaborative discussions in the classroom.

Click this link to view and play around with a grammar Google Jamboard I have used in my classes in the past.

App Reviews - Tori Gaddy

 

ISTE Standard for Students #6 Creative Communicator

Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals.

a.      Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.

b.  Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.

c.      Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models, or simulations.

d.     Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences.

 

1.     Book Creator

https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/book-creator

Book Creator is a tool for creating and publishing digital books. Along with words, students can add photos and videos to express their ideas. Closed-captioning, screen reader capability and other features make Book Creator accessible to learners of different abilities.  

Cost:  Free for one library with up to 40 books.  $10 per month allows for 1000 books divided across an unlimited number of libraries.  Each library is limited to 200 books or less.

            Grade Levels:  3-12

            Platforms:  iPad and website (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.)

Common Sense is a non-profit providing entertainment and technology review to families since 2003.  Common Sense Education focuses on the impact of technology in K-12 education and promotes digital citizenship.

 

2.     Pixton

https://edtechimpact.com/products/pixton-edu

 Pixton.com is a comic strip builder.  With various templates and characters, students can present their idea or story in a media form that appeals to them.  Various fonts, word bubbles, and backgrounds can be used to visually enhance the story.  Students’ work is viewable through the teacher’s account. 

Cost: Free with limited access. $9.99 monthly for basic access.  $24.99 monthly for full access

Grade levels:  2-12

Platforms: any device with a browser

EdTechImpact is an independent reviewer of educational technology.  Reviewers are made up of educators and parents from around the world who share their experiences with products they have used in the last 12 months.

 

3.      iMovie

https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/imovie

iMovie is a video editing and production application available to all Apple users.   Students have the opportunity to create a project using a timeline, filters, pre-determined themes, and music.  Video can be student-recorded or a remix of Creative Commons footage.  Students can publish or share their final project with the teacher or other students.

Cost:  Free

Grade levels:  5-12

Platforms:  iPad, iPhone, MacBook

Common Sense is a non-profit providing entertainment and technology reviews to families since 2003.  Common Sense Education focuses on the impact of technology in K-12 education and promotes digital citizenship.

 

Of the three tools, I feel that Book Creator best fits the goal of ISTE Standard 6 in that it allows students to combine text, photos, and video into one meaningful, creative expression of their ideas.  It is available to any student who has web access, and it can be used across many grade levels.  Book Creator also has features to make it usable to learners of different abilities, allowing it to be used in all types of classrooms.  The various reviews note the ease of use, allowing students to be independent and creative.

App Reviews - Kristen Blackshear

 

EIM 505 App Reviews

AASL Standard II. Include: Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to inclusiveness and respect for diversity in the learning community.                           

B. Learners adjust their awareness of the global learning community by:

1. Interacting with learners who reflect a range of perspectives.

2. Evaluating a variety of perspectives during learning activities

1.      National Geographic Education

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/national-geographic-education

 The National Geographic app contains articles, lessons, video clips, and maps. It is a great resource for introducing varied points of view on both historical issues and current events. The articles especially help students by providing perspectives not traditionally found in textbooks. For example, there is an entire section on the app dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This app offers much of the same material available on the National Geographic website which even has lesson plans for teachers on a variety of subjects. The website can be used with laptops and Chromebooks, while the mobile app can be accessed through the Apple store and Google Play, and can be used on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. There is a subscription fee of $2.99 a month, or $19 for an annual subscription that provides unlimited access. I have only used this app with high school students who were enrolled in dual enrollment college courses. National Geographic recommends this app for ages 12 and up, however much of the content would be above their reading and maturity level. Common Sense Education provides reviews of media and technology for parents to promote safe technology and media for children.

 

2.      Flipgrid

https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/flipgrid

 The Flipgrid app is a combination message/discussion board. Teachers can pose a question or select a topic and students respond in video clips. Students are then able to see each other's video clips and hear each other’s answers play the prompt. This is a great way for students who are hesitant to participate in class discussions to have their opinions heard. In using this app during distance learning in recent years, I have found the students actually hear the views expressed by their fellow students. Often in open classroom discussions, students are usually focused on their own response, and do not really listen to the opinions of others. One of my favorite features on Flipgrid is the use of stickers a student can you use to cover up their face. This is especially helpful to help students become more engaged in class discussions while not having to appear on camera. Flipgrid is a free app available on the App Store and Google Play, it can be used on an iPhone or iPad, as well as laptops with recording capability. Flipgrid is recommended for ages 4 and up and can be used for a variety of educational purposes. Common Sense Education provides reviews of media and technology for parents to promote safe technology and media for children, and gives Flipgrid their highest rating, five stars.

 

3.      StoryCorps

https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/storycorps

StoryCorps is an app that teaches students how to conduct oral interviews, but it also includes an archive of interviews with everyday people describing their personal experiences in everyday life, in historical events, etc. This is an excellent resource for providing students with multiple perspectives on the same cultural or historical experience. I have used this with high school students to help them see how the same events, such as integration of schools was experienced differently by students, teachers, law enforcement, etc. I've also incorporated it with a history project where students use the app and its format to interview their parents about their memories and experiences of the 9/11 attacks. StoryCorps is a free app available on the App Store and Google Play. It is appropriate to use with children as young as 6th grade. Common Sense Education provides reviews of media and technology for parents to promote safe technology and media for children.

I feel that Flipgrid is the best of these three apps. It is so easy to use and it's so versatile that it can be used in any subject, with any grade level, by any student, by any teacher, anywhere. I have used it to assess students understanding individually and I have used it to promote discussion among students on numerous topics. The videos can be edited easily, or students can re-record if they are not happy with their initial responses. The opportunity for every child to be heard is invaluable.

 

 

App Review by Maria Hayes

Standard - MA2019 (1) 6 Add and Subtract within 20

Bug and Numbers by Little Bit Studio LLC

Review by Common Sense Media

This app covers a wide range of math skills.  It starts with the preschool level and goes through 1^st grade.  The cost is $2.99 and it is available on the iPhone or iPad.  I believe Common Sense Media is a reliable source because they are a trademark name and a nonprofit dedicated to helping in education by providing tools for educational success.

Math Tango by Originator, Inc

Review by Sandra Fleming

Math Tango is full of engaging puzzles for first graders to help with the learning of addition and subtraction.  Students will learn strategies used in the first-grade classroom and it is full of features intended to motivate.   The cost is $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year.  This app is intended solely for first graders and is only available on iPhone or iPad.  I believe this website is a credible one because the bloggers spend their time looking at apps for children to find good ones.

 

SplashLearn: Kids Math & Reading Learning Games

Review by Parent.com

The app tries to make Math more fun with rewards, a dashboard, and reasons as to why an answer is wrong.  The cost is either $8 a month or $60 a year.  It is intended for ages K-5^th grade and is available on apple or android devices.  I believe the review site is a good one because Parent.com has been around for many years helping parents with all the information needed for parents.  

 

Of the three I chose; my number one pick would be the SplashLearn.  There is a plethora of information on this one app compared to the other two.  It has games for many grade levels for both reading and Math.  There are daily growth plans available and it had the best parental reviews of all the apps I looked at. 

App Reviews- Matt Wilson

Standard: AL DLCS 5.6: Create a working program in a block-based visual programming environment using arithmetic operators, conditionals, and repetition in programs.

Cue App by Wonder Workshop

Review by Common Sense Media

Wonder Workshop, the maker of Cue, markets and sells robots that engage kids in coding. The Cue robot is the most feature-packed robot Wonder Workshop currently sells, with a feature-packed app to match. The free Cue app takes students through a journey with a "superhero" as the Cue bot is called. Students personalize the robot to give it a unique personality and have access to creating their own story with the bot. Other modes include "Create" and "Code" which allows students of all experience levels to code using both block-based code and javascript. The Cue app and robot are designed to appeal to upper elementary to middle school aged students. The app is available on both iOS and Android, which means that Google Play Store-enabled Chromebooks will have access to connect.

Sphero Edu App

Review by Common Sense Media

Sphero Edu takes the popular Sphero robot and makes it suitable and applicable to the world of education. The app itself is free and allows teachers to create classes (which also happen to sync with Google Classroom). From there, the Sphero Edu app has tons of content rich lessons that can be used across the curriculum. Lessons range from topics on digital citizenship to real world applications of math and science. The app is available on both iOS, Android, and Chromebooks can be used by students from 3rd grade on up through high school.

Root by iRobot App

Review by Common Sense Media

The Root Coding app puts a different spin on coding. Like the Cue robot, Root is packed with a ton of sensors and capabilities. It is free for any user and can be used with or without a robot using the virtual simulator which is available if students do not have access to a Root bot. Any Bluetooth-enabled device can control the Root robot and coding within the app ranges from simple blocks with images to text-based python code for advanced users. 

All three of these apps were reviewed by Common Sense Education, which is one of the go-to places for credible and reliable reviews of edtech tools and sites. Although the reviews do not seem to be updated over time, the reviews they provide give relevant information about privacy, data sharing, content quality, and teacher benefits of use in the classroom.

Out of the three apps I have shared, my pick for the app that would best suit teachers for teaching the standard listed above is the Sphero Edu app. While it does not offer a simulated robot like the Root app does, it is the only app of the three that allows teachers to assign challenges and projects individually to students in the imported class. This gives teachers the capability to differentiate instruction for students who are not as comfortable with coding. One of the only downsides I have seen from experience in a large class setting is that when multiple students are attempting to connect to multiple Spheros, it is difficult to determine which Sphero a student is connecting to, as they are not able to be renamed. Overall, in teaching students from the very beginning of how to program, to complex and intricate combinations of coding blocks, Sphero Edu is a high quality program.