Alabama Virtual Library Demonstration - Brandi Randall

PebbleGo

PebbleGo.com is an educational platform designed with a primary focus on providing elementary school students with a user-friendly and engaging learning experience. This resource offers a vast array of articles, each meticulously crafted to cover a wide range of topics, from animals and science to biographies and social studies. Its colorful and interactive design is especially appealing to young learners, making it an ideal resource for children in pre-k and kindergarten, typically aged 3-6. As a pre-k and kindergarten STEM teacher, I would incorporate PebbleGo into my curriculum to introduce young minds to age-appropriate scientific concepts, allowing them to explore the world around them. Whether we're delving into animal habitats, discovering basic scientific principles, or exploring the lives of notable figures, PebbleGo offers a captivating and accessible platform for early education, sparking curiosity and building foundational knowledge in the field of STEM.

App Reviews- Chase Cheaney

 

ISTE Standard 1.5: Students develop and employ strategies for understanding and solving problems in ways that leverage the power of technological methods to develop and test solutions.

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/desmos

Desmos is a graphing calculator app with many helpful features (Sliders, colors, shading, etc.). It helps students visualize and manipulate many mathematical concepts. It is free to download and use and is appropriate for students in 6th grade and beyond. It can be accessed on the web or downloaded as an app on iPhones, iPads, and Androids. Common Sense Education is a credible source to judge Desmos’ value because they use trained reviewers who all have experience in education or related fields, and the site does not receive compensation for their reviews. 

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/geogebra 

GeoGebra is a dynamic mathematics software, that focuses on Geometry. It allows students to easily create and manipulate geometrical constructions. It is free to download and use and is appropriate for students at all levels of education. It can be accessed on the web or downloaded as an app on iPhones, iPads, and Androids. Common Sense Education is a credible source to judge GeoGebra’s value because they use trained reviewers who all have experience in education or related fields, and the site does not receive compensation for their reviews.

https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/geometry-pad#:~:text=Geometry%20Pad%20is%20a%20reference,highly%20visual%20and%20interactive%20experience. 

Geometry Pad is an interactive workbook where students can create and manipulate figures on a graph. It is a great way for students to investigate many different mathematical concepts. It is free to download and use, but there is an upgraded version that can be purchased for $6.99. Geometry Pad is appropriate for students in middle and high school. It can be downloaded as an app on iPads and Androids. Common Sense Education is a credible source to judge Geometry Pad’s value because they use trained reviewers who all have experience in education or related fields, and the site does not receive compensation for their reviews. 

In my opinion, Desmos is the best of the three educational apps that I have chosen. I believe this because it has so many different features, such as sliders in place of undefined variables. Students can easily manipulate and interact with both algebraic and geometrical concepts. Students can also create a free account and save their projects. Desmos is a great way for students to visualize mathematical concepts, and that is why I think it is the best.

APP REVIEWS

 

Standard

Common Core Standard for Mathematics . The standard is CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.A.1, which states: “Interpret products of whole numbers, e.g., interpret 5 × 7 as the total number of objects in 5 groups of 7 objects each.”

 

Applications

1. App Name: Common Core Standards by Mastery Connect

https://www.teachthought.com/technology/5-mobile-apps-to-help-teachers-and-students-adapt-to-the-common-core-standards/

• What it does: This app makes it easier for teachers, students and parents to see at a glance just what the curriculum requires. You can sift by subject, age and requirements to get right to the specifics of any given element within the curriculum.
• Cost: Free
• Intended Age Group: K-12 students.
• Platform/Device Compatibility: The platform compatibility is not specified in the review, so it may require further research.
• Credibility of Review Site: The review is from TeachThought, a platform dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through innovative practices.

2. App Name:  Khan Academy Kids

·         Review: https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/khan-academy-kids#:~:text=Pros%3A%20The%20variety%20of%20learning%20topics%20and%20the,standout%20offers%20scaffolded%2C%20creative%20learning%20of%20foundational%20skills

·         What it does: This app offers a wide range of educational activities and lessons, including those that align with the Common Core standards for mathematics. It uses interactive games and rewards to make learning fun and engaging.

·         Cost: Free

·         Intended Age Group: Ages 2-7

·         Platform/Device Compatibility: iOS, Android, and Amazon devices.

·         Credibility of Review Site: The review is from Common Sense Media, a trusted source for media recommendations for families.

 

3. App Name: Discovery Education

·         Review: https://www.iste.org/explore/Toolbox/4-tips-for-choosing-the-right-edtech-tools-for-learning

• What it does: This app takes students beyond the classroom walls and into some of the world’s most iconic locations for rich and immersive learning experiences.
• Cost: $1.91 per student
• Intended Age Group: K-12 students.
• Platform/Device Compatibility: The platform compatibility is not specified in the review, so it may require further research.
• Credibility of Review Site: The review is from ISTE, a reputable organization that sets technology standards for education.

Out of these three apps, I would choose the Common Core Standards by MasteryConnect as the best option. This app directly aligns with the Common Core standards and provides a clear breakdown of what each standard requires. It’s also designed for use by teachers, students, and parents alike, making it a versatile tool for teaching and learning.

App Reviews

Grammarly

ISTE Standard 1.1.c: Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

This app, which can also be downloaded as an extension for various browsers, allows the user to receive real-time feedback about their grammar, spelling, tone, and more in regards to their writing.  Grammarly does offer a free membership, but monthly and yearly subscriptions are also available for a hefty price, though subscription discounts are offered on a regular basis.  This educational resource can be used by any child who is at the point to begin revising and bettering their writing.  In fact, consultants serving writing centers at institutions recommend Grammarly to students seeking writing assistance.  Grammarly can be downloaded as an extension for browsers, such as Google Chrome, and as an app for phones, including Android and Apple. 

I am linking the review of Grammarly written by PCMag. This website reviews all types of things related to technology, including apps, games, hardware, and more. PCMag makes it simple for readers by including a pros-and-cons list and a specification box.  Ben Moore, the author of the article, also gives a narrative of his own use of Grammarly.