APP Review Sydney Crawford

 App Reviews

Standard:

Alabama Preschool Standard:

Domain: Social-Emotional Development

SED2a: Manage Feelings: Children will identify, manage, and express their feelings.

·        2aYP-1 Name basic emotions when demonstrated by others or represented in books

·        2aYP-2 Express own feelings through actions or words

·        2aYP-3 Seek reassurance from adult in anticipation of a difficult task

·        2aYP-4 Express concern or interest for others’ needs or feelings

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App 1: Social Story Creator

https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/social-story-creator-educators

Social Story creator is an app that is free of cost but has a premium version available for $29.99. The app’s target audience is professionals who work with students with special needs. This app is applicable to ages preschool through K12 depending on the cognitive abilities of the student(s). It can be used on the following platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch. The app is intuitive and has preloaded stories that can be used with students to reinforce positive behaviors or responses in social situations. It is not intended for students due to low privacy scores. This tool can be used to generate generic content by an adult to be used in a controlled setting to address behavior and social-emotional outcomes individualized to a student. Common sense media website is an online resource nonprofit organization that has a mission to provide a safer digital world for students. Parents and educators can use this site as a reliable tool to research digital content of all types and find ratings including research-based insight, customer reviews, online privacy, and practical uses in classrooms and homes.

 

App 2: Daniel Tiger Grrific Feelings

https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/daniel-tigers-grr-ific-feelings

Daniel Tiger Grrific is a stand-alone app by PBS that costs a one-time fee of $2.99. The app’s target audience is preschool-aged children. It can be used on the following platforms:  iPad, and Kindle Fire. The app is engaging and intuitive with stories, songs, and activities that can be led by a teacher or parent within social-emotional development lessons. It can also be navigated by a preschooler who is able to use tactile fingers or tools to respond to questions and guidance. Common sense media website is an online resource nonprofit organization that has a mission to provide a safer digital world for students. Parents and educators can use this site as a reliable tool to research digital content of all types and find ratings including research-based insight, customer reviews, online privacy, and practical uses in classrooms and homes.

 

 

 

App 3: Epic Books and Videos

https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/epic-kids-books-and-videos

Epic Books and Videos application is a very popular tool used by educators and parents. The cost for the app is free and teachers working in schools are offered free membership. The monthly membership family account is $9.99. The monthly membership provides access to an expansive library of eBooks including thousands of texts which range from preschool to age 12 reading levels. The books are text, read–aloud, audio, and some accompanying videos. It can be used on the following platforms:  Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Chrome. The app is versatile and provides educators the ability to create classrooms, individual student accounts, and access to educator resources connected to books in the library. Common sense media website is an online resource nonprofit organization that has a mission to provide a safer digital world for students. Parents and educators can use this site as a reliable tool to research digital content of all types and find ratings including research-based insight, customer reviews, online privacy, and practical uses in classrooms and homes.

“Favorite App”

Epic online student library is the best app for any preschool through early middle school-aged student. The versatility of the app cannot be beaten by any other online library database. Searching for topics, genres, age ranges, reading methods, and teaching resources is extremely easy for an educator, parent, and upper elementary students. I am a proponent of using literary resources as much as possible in any learning environment. This app is inclusive for a preschool special education setting because of its variety of ‘read-to-me’ or audiobook options texts. Teaching standard content through literacy by connecting with characters, experiencing stories, and visual/audible input in the special education inclusive environment is a highly effective and research-based best practice.