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.
Kristen, I found your selections interesting and worthy of exploring myself. I was especially interested in StoryCorps and found another review where it was recommended for use in capturing family stories. I love this idea and may have to utilize it in the near future. I agree with your selection of Flipgrip as the best app of these three for the classroom. Having worked with Sunday School students of various ages and seeing them cringe and hide as their turn approaches, I can see how watching response videos diminishes the anxiety of talking in class and allows students to truly listen to others. Your last sentence was stated perfectly and indisputably supports the use of Flipgrip.
ReplyDeleteKristen, I am a Flipgrid junkie! I love this app! I wish I could get my students to love it more! I have used it as a way for my students to introduce themselves and tell me about themselves before school starts. Once I get my roster I always email my classes a grid to post in. I have found most do not like being on camera for various reasons which is why I really like the whiteboard feature that allows students to create videos with text and images that they can narrate. Do you have similar issues with your students not wanting to be on camera? How have you used the app?
ReplyDeleteI teach high school juniors and seniors in a small private school where many of the students have grown up together. Very few are afraid to be on camera when they know it is just their regular classmates that will see it. They are more nervous to speak in class when there could be an immediate rebuttal they are not prepared to answer. Students tend to open up more when they've had time to prepare a response to a question. And their classmates tend to actually listen to the opinions of others when they aren't so focused on getting their own point across.
ReplyDeleteI require every student to answer a discussion question every week. This requires those students who would normally sit back and let others take over the discussion in class, to form an opinion or devise an answer and actually contribute.
I almost did my app review on Flipgrid as well. I love using that in the classroom. It is an easy app to use. I teach middle school so being on camera for them is NOT a problem. If there is one that just does not like having their face on the screen, like you mentioned in your post, flipgrid gives the opportunity to "sticker" out the face. I call it emoji it out. The responses are twitter like, short and sweet, but in video form. It it very beneficial for my special education students that struggle with writing their thoughts.
ReplyDelete