App Reviews- Merrill Dotson

I have chosen an 8th grade math standard that carries over to all math courses beyond middle school. If students can master this standard they are set up for success!

8-EE7 (Mathematics)  Solve linear equations in one variable.

a. Give examples of linear equations in one variable with one solution, infinitely many solutions, or no solutions. Show which of these possibilities is the case by successively transforming the given equation into simpler forms until an equivalent equation of the form x = a, a = a, or a = b results (where a and b are different numbers). [8-EE7a]

b. Solve linear equations with rational number coefficients, including equations whose solutions require expanding expressions, using the distributive property and collecting like terms. [8-EE7b]

Khan Academy

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/edtechresearcher/2012/06/dont_use_khan_academy_without_watching_mmt2k_first.html

I realize this app/website is referenced all the time, but there is a reason!  Students will often leave the classroom and still need assistance with math work, and many times parents are unable to assist. Khan Academy is easily accessible and simple to understand. The article above does mention the one dimensional aspect of the site, but the benefits far outweigh the downfalls. Students are guided through videos, practice questions, and quizzes that direct students through a standard. Other subjects are included in the program, but math is its core. The app is free and available on IOS/Android devices. Education Weekly is a well establish resource in the education world. “EPE's mission is to raise awareness and understanding of critical issues facing American schools.” (Reich, 2012)

IXL

https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/ixl-math-and-english

This app provides students with extra practice problems and real time adaptive assessments in Math and Language Arts. As students give incorrect answers, explanations are given in great detail.   The downfall to this app would be the the limitation in the free version. Students can only complete a limited number of questions per day without paying the $19/99/month charge, which includes 2 students. It offers assistance with Math and Language Arts from Pre-K to Calculus and is available in for the IOS and Android platform. I have used Common Sense reviews for many years when researching new tools for my classroom. They have been consistent and reliable. 

The Fun Way to Learn Algebra

https://www.teacherswithapps.com/hands-on-equations-1-the-fun-way-to-learn-algebra/

This app is every hands on learner's dream for Algebra! Students are able to manipulate virtual tools to balance and equation. The lite version is free while the more advanced levels will cost $2.99. This app is directly aimed at students learning to solve equations and is available in the IOS/Android platform. Teachers with Apps works with teachers to find the best apps to guide our students. They are testing and well reviewed!

For my recommendation, I had to think about my intentions. The most well rounded app is not the one I would choose to teach this standard, and cost wasn't a consideration in my decision. (Isn't that the dream?) I would choose The Fun Way to Learn Algebra if my sole intention was to teach students how to solve equations. The visual and manipulative aspect is unbeatable for students.

App Reviews-Alex Bemis

Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a math website that also has an app available. It provides you with thousands
of videos and step-by-step instructions on how to solve math problems. The instructors in the
videos do a great job of showing how to solve a problem and they also will show you multiples
ways to solve if applicable. There are visuals and voice overs, and there are even practice
problems and quizzes available for each skill. Currently, I am working on standard 4.NBT.5
with my students (Multiply a whole number of up to four digits by a one-digit whole number,
and multiply two two-digit numbers, using strategies based on place value and the properties
of operations. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays,
and/or area models). The students have watched the corresponding Khan Academy video
showing how to multiply 2 digit by 2 digit numbers. The app is free, and it would be useful
for all grades (k-12). The app is available on iPhones and iPads, although practice problems
are not available on the iPad. Below is a link to Khan Academy’s website that talks more
about the app. 

https://www.khanacademy.org/about/blog/post/24905749288/ipad-app

IXL

IXL is a website that also has an app available. This program allows you to practice with
any skill, in any subject, in any grade (k-12). The app is easy to navigate and allows this
practice to be convenient and on the go. Students would select the grade they want to practice,
the subject (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, or Spanish), and then it will take
them to a complete list of skills they can work on. This site covers every standard, and even
provides students with an explanation of why they got a question wrong. Currently, my
students are working on theme in reading. This is standard RL.4.2 (Determine a theme of a
story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text). My students have worked
on IXL 4th grade lesson B.1. The great thing about IXL is the option to easily differentiate.
Students who are struggling with reading on a 4th grade level are able to go down to 3rd
grade and even 2nd to work on theme. Each question gives the students a short passage
or fable and they have to select the correct theme of the story. The app is free, but a
membership is quite pricey. You can select from a single child, family, classroom, or
school license. Prices start from $9.95 a month and can go up to $1,439 per year,
depending on the type of licence, how many subjects, and how many students you want
to include. Donors Choose and other crowdfunding sites are great ways to pay for the
subscription. Below is a link to IXL’s official website that talks more about the app. 

https://www.ixl.com/apps

Quizlet

Quizlet is an app that allows students to make flashcards and study for tests. I use
quizlet in my classroom often by having my students make flashcards to memorize
science terms. The Alabama Science Standards do no have a code, but the current
standard we are working on is:

Plan and carry out investigations that explain transference of energy from place to
place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents. 

a. Provide evidence that heat can be produced in many ways (e.g., rubbing hands
together, burning leaves) and can move from one object to another by conduction. 

b. Demonstrate that different objects can absorb, reflect, and/or conduct energy. 

c. Demonstrate that electric circuits require a complete loop through which an electric
current can pass.

My students have made flashcards with all the energy vocab words (thermal,
vibrations, prism, absorption, conduction, convection, radiation, etc). They can
access their flashcards on a computer or a mobile phone or tablet as long as they
have the app downloaded. Quizlet is free, and anyone can use it. I recommend this
app for older students because students must have writing and typing skills to make
the flashcards correctly. Below is a link to quizlet’s official website that includes a
QR code to download the app. 

https://quizlet.com/mobile

My Selection

The app I prefer the most is Khan Academy. This app is not only helpful for students,
but also parents who need refreshers when helping their child with math. The app is
very convenient, making it easy to get math help when in the car or even on vacation.
I like the idea of students being able to rewatch step-by-step tutorials on how to solve
math problems. This way, they can learn at their own pace, pause and rewatch when needed.

App Reviews- Rachel Robertson

Reading Eggs-Learning to Read

Reading Eggs is an app that focuses on phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension.

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

https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/reading-eggs

A.)    This is an app that students can use to practice reading comprehension, fluency, phonics, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary.

B.)    The app cost 9.99 a month

C.)    PK-5^th grade

D.)    IOS and Android

E.)     I used common sense education for my review because I know that this website is a good source of information and would not rate something that was not credible.

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is an app that connects students and teachers to digital work. Students can collaborate with each other from distance. Teachers can give immediate feedback and create a variety of assignments that differentiate to the different learning styles.

6. ISTE for Students: Creative Communicator 6a. Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication. 6b. Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations. 6c. Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations. 6d. Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences.

https://www.commonsense.org/education/website/google-classroom

A.)    An interactive online classroom where students can complete assignments, collaborate with each other, and create content.

B.)    Free

C.)    2^nd grade- 12^th grade

D.)    IOS and Android

E.)     I used common sense education for my review because I know that this website is a good source of information and would not rate something that was not credible.

Kahoot!

Kahoot! Is an interactive app that teachers can use as a way to do formative assessment. Students can compete against each other in real-time with multiple-choice questions.

ISTE Empowered Learner 1a Students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes.

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

A.)    An interactive game in real-time that teachers can use as a formative assessment.

B.)    Free

C.)    2^nd – 12^th grade

D.)    IOS and Android

E.)     I used common sense education for my review because I know that this website is a good source of information and would not rate something that was not credible.

I would use Google classroom because I like the idea of the students being able to create something and turning it in rather than playing games. We are a school that uses the Google suite of the app a lot. I can also have students join my class very easily since we are almost 1 to 1. I would love to have students create book trailers or commercials for their favorite books. I just think I would be able to do more with Google Classroom, especially when we have a tech person who does not want to help teachers obtain other types of technology sources outside of Google and anything a Chromebook can do. Adding apps to anything would be a process.

App Reviews - Bobby Mikel

Standard: 6. Facilitator - Educators facilitate learning with technology to support student achievement of the 2016 ISTE Standards for Students. 

IXL 

https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/ixl-math-and-english 

IXL offers educators the ability to instruct students in a variety of subjects through a mobile device app. The methods of instruction are primarily drill and practice and tutorial. The app is free for 30 days which will give teachers a chance to assess how well the program will work in their classroom. After this, it goes to a subscription-based model. The app is targeted toward K-12 and is compatible with Android, iPad, Kindle Fire, and Chrome. The review site is credible because it is a third-party review, with real educators who have used the software, giving their unbiased opinion.  

Nearpod 

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

Nearpod is a versatile app that educators can use to teach a variety of content in one-to-one classrooms. It encourages students to interact with the content the being discussed and give the teachers the ability to monitor student involvement. The app is free for up to 30 students the price increases on tiers after this. It is charged on an annual basis. The app is targeted toward K-12. It is virtually universally compatible working on Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Chrome, Apps for Windows, and Mac Apps. The review site is credible because it is a third-party review, with real educators who have used the software, giving their unbiased opinion. 

Epic! - Unlimited Books for Kids 

https://www.commonsense.org/education/app/epic-unlimited-books-for-kids 

Epic! - Unlimited Books for Kids is a reading app that is a great supplement to the classroom. The app offers over 35,000 children's books for free. It gives users the ability to create a personal library for each students’ account and provides assessment tools for the teachers. The targeted user group is K-6. The app is free for elementary teachers and is compatible with Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Chrome. The review site is credible because it is a third-party review, with real educators who have used the software, giving their unbiased opinion. 

My Selection 

My preferred app out of the ones reviewed is Nearpod. This is due to its versatility and interactivity. Though they all meet the above standard, I feel this one has the greatest potential to do so. The app gives the teacher the ability to teach in a variety of ways on multiple subjects all while monitoring student activity. The use of student and teacher driven progression, polls, and gaming gives teachers a variety of ways to reach the students. This makes the app both engaging and educational.   

App Review- Alisha Craft

ISTE Standards for Students

Standard 4 Innovative Designer: Students use a variety of technologies within a design process to identify
and solve problems by creating new, useful or imaginative solutions.

4a. Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories,
creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems. 

GimKit

This app is a great interactive game for students to learn new content or practice with content that they
already know. This could be used as a formative assessment as well as a review for your students! This
game is great, as you can try it for FREE for a period of time! This app is wonderful for all students grades
4-12 and the best part is that it works on all types of devices! There are several positive reviews of this app
coming from common sense media, which is vetted and most reviews are directly from educators, like us! 

Stick Pick

This app is another great formative assessment tool that you can use to help you collect data quickly on
what your students understand and what they may need a little extra assistance on. This app price is around
$2.99, but is well worth the money as it gives you the instant feedback without you having to go through tons
of papers. This app is great for all ages from K-12! Another great thing about this app is that it works with all
Apple products, as well as the Kindle Fire. Common Sense Media has many positive reviews of this app from
educators, like ourselves, that have used this app!

WeVideo

This an app that my students use often. Students are able to create innovative designs using the
Engineering Design Process or Design Thinking. WeVideo has both a paid version and a free version,
however there is a limited amount of features that you can use with the free version. This app can be used
with any age from grades K all the way through 12. Common Sense Media has a series of wonderful reviews
of this app from teachers and parents that all love the features and freedom that it gives to students. 

The app that I feel is the best is WeVideo. My students use this app all of the time to create greenscreen
videos when solving real world problems in PBL. Students are able to use the Engineering Design Process
to ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve their videos. Students can create real world solutions for things
that they see as problems in the world. Students can even create public service announcements for
teachers to share on social media so that they are able to have authentic audiences for their projects.
My students and I absolutely love using WeVideo and we will continue using it for several projects
throughout my time in education.