App Reviews

 ISTE Standards for Students (2016)

Standard 1.3 - Knowledge Constructor

Verbiage: Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts, and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.

App 1: Epic! - Digital Library for Kids

Review Link: Common Sense Media Review of Epic!                    https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/epic

Epic! provides access to a massive digital library of over 40,000 books, audiobooks, and educational videos tailored to children’s reading levels and interests. The cost is free for educators and a family subscription is $9.99/month. The age range is 4–12 years of age. The platform compatibility is iOS, Android, and web-based computers. Common Sense Media is a trusted nonprofit organization known for its objective reviews of media and technology used by children and educators. It uses a transparent rubric based on educational value, ease of use, and user feedback.

 

App 2: Khan Academy Kids

Review Link: Common Sense Media Review of Khan Academy Kids https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/khan-academy-kids

Khan Academy Kids offers engaging, standards-aligned activities in literacy, math, logic, and emotional development through games, songs, and stories. The cost is free. The age group is 2-8 years old. The platform compatibility is iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire tablets. Common Sense Media provides detailed evaluations from educators and parents, including privacy and safety ratings, which are critical when using apps with young children.

 

App 3: Nearpod

Review Link: EdTech Impact Review of Nearpod                  https://edtechimpact.com/products/nearpod/

Nearpod allows teachers to create interactive lessons that include quizzes, polls, videos, and VR experiences. Students can follow along in real-time on their own devices. The cost is free for basic version and premium starts at $159/year. The age group is suitable for grades K–12. The platform compatibility is web-based computers, iOS, Android. EdTech Impact collects reviews from verified educators around the world and evaluates apps based on classroom impact, pedagogy, and ease of implementation.

 

Best App Choice: Nearpod

Nearpod stands out because it is interactive, adaptable across all grade levels, and supports real-time engagement, which aligns well with the ISTE Knowledge Constructor standard. It allows students to access a variety of digital resources, reflect on their learning, and collaborate during lessons. Its integration of multimedia content and assessment tools makes it ideal for both in person and remote learning environments.

 

App Review - Ashley Thompson

 

Alabama State Standard: 

Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics 9.Create and use a model to explain the transfer of matter and energy between the environment and organisms within it. Examples: producers, consumers, scavengers, decomposers

Learning Apps: 

Brain Pop : https://www.brainpop.com/discover/ 

Review: https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/brainpop 

BrainPOP is a digital learning platform that offers animated videos combined with interactive activities like quizzes, games, and more. It's designed to teach concepts such as surface area, volume, earth and space and more. The content is delivered in a narrative format featuring characters Tim and Moby, who guide students through the material while explaining key ideas in a simple, clear manner. Unlike some free tools, BrainPOP requires a paid subscription. BrainPOP typically cost between $13 and $18 per student annually, which I believe is fairly reasonable. It's geared towards students in grade 3-8 and is compatible with iOS, Android, and most major browsers, though it performs best on newer devices.  I used Common Sense Education as my review website because it consistently offers trustworthy, in-depth app reviews. What sets this site apart is that it also looks at how tools support learning objectives, student motivation, and even addresses privacy concerns and digital safety. 

Mystery Science: https://mysteryscience.com/lessons?query=proucers+consumers+decomposers 

Review: https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/mystery-science

Mystery Science is a science digital learning platform that is designed for elementary school students grades K-5. It offers ready to use lessons that include engaging videos, hands on activities, discussion questions and a step by step guide for teachers. This app is compatible with all iOS, Android and most major browsers. Mystery Science is a paid subscription only, however, I believe it is well worth the cost. The cost for the app varies with what kind of subscription you are looking for, school districts can purchase a yearly pass for $1,999 per school year, this includes every classroom teacher receiving a subscription. If you would like to purchase it for homeschooling reasons it would cost $69 per year for full access to K-5 lessons. Individual classroom teachers can purchase a subscription on their own for $99 per year for one classroom. I personally use this app frequently when teaching science because of the hands on/interactive lessons it provides teachers with. I chose Common Sense Education as my review website because it consistently gives honest, trustworthy app reviews. 

Nearpod : https://nearpod.com/

Review: https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/nearpod 

Nearpod is another digital learning platform that transforms traditional lessons into interactive and engaging experiences. Nearpod uses interactive slide presentations to grasp students attention. Teachers can import powerpoints, google slides, PDF's, create a slide show from scratch or use one that is already there. The slideshows will often have quizzes, polls, open-ended questions, draw it activities, timing challenges and more. Nearpod is more engaging because it offers more than one way to present the material. You can present in front of the class, live participation (where each students has their computers on and following along with the slide show on their own computers), or student paced where the students work independently through the slide show. The app is compatible with iOS, Android and all major browsers. The pricing varies for different school districts, depending on how many students the school has, you can reach out to nearpod to receive a quote. Typically price can range from $159 - $397 annually. I chose Common Sense Education as my app review because they consistently offer trustworthy app reviews with multiple different resources.

I believe Nearpod is the best app out of the three I reviewed. Mystery Science is a close second but Nearpod takes the cake. Nearpod offers a wide range of teaching strategies one can use to engage students in learning. It is so much more than just another digital learning app, it emerges students into learning and allows them to explore topics on their own. One of my favorite features from the app is the virtual tours it offers. When teaching my standard on producers, consumers and decomposers, Nearpod will pull up pictures of live animals and plants in their habitat and the students can virtually explore that habitat, gaining a better understanding of where that plant/animal comes from. If you can I highly suggest checking out this app! 

APP Review: Using Educational Apps to Strengthen Motor Skills in Elementary PE

 As the Physical Education teacher at KIPP Soul Primary in Atlanta, Georgia, I strive to incorporate innovative and engaging tools that help my K–4 students develop foundational movement skills. One of the key standards I focus on in my instruction is Standard 1 from SHAPE America: “The physically literate individual demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.” This standard is crucial because it establishes the foundation for physical literacy and supports students in developing confidence as lifelong movers. In searching for digital tools that can enrich instruction aligned to this standard, I reviewed three educational apps that support motor development through movement, visual feedback, and structured activity.

The first app I explored was Go Noodle Kids, which was reviewed on the Gopher Sport blog. Go Noodle is a popular classroom tool that offers short movement videos designed to get students active and engaged. The videos range from dance routines to yoga sessions and coordination games, which makes it an ideal resource for warm-ups or movement breaks throughout the school day. It is free to use, with an optional premium upgrade that provides access to additional content. The app is intended for students in Pre-K through fifth grade and is compatible with iOS, Android, and web-based platforms. I trust the Gopher Sport review because the organization is a long-standing, credible leader in the physical education space. Their blog offers curated recommendations from experienced educators, making it a reliable source for evaluating the app’s effectiveness.

Link: https://blog.gophersport.com/free-physical-education-apps/

Next, I examined Swork-It Kids, also featured on the Gopher Sport blog. This app provides structured workout routines specifically designed for children, including exercises that develop strength, agility, balance, and flexibility. Students can follow along with animated demonstrations and engaging voiceovers, making it easy to use during PE class or at home. Swork-It Kids is free to download, with premium options for users seeking more variety. It is best suited for children ages five to fourteen and works on both iOS and Android devices. Again, I considered Gopher Sport’s review to be a trustworthy source, as they offer insights from real-world educators who have tested the app in school environments. The app’s structured design and clear progression make it especially useful for reinforcing skill-building in younger learners.

Link:  https://blog.gophersport.com/free-physical-education-apps/

The third app I reviewed is BAM Video Delay, which I discovered through a blog post by S&S Worldwide, a reputable supplier of educational and recreational products. BAM Video Delay is a video feedback tool that records students performing physical tasks, such as throwing, jumping, or dribbling, and then plays back the footage after a short delay. This feature enables students to view themselves in real-time, identify areas for improvement, and make immediate adjustments. The app offers a free version, with paid upgrades for more advanced features. It is effective for all grade levels and works best on tablets with iOS or Android operating systems. I value the review from S&S Worldwide because their blog regularly features practical, classroom-tested tools for educators. Their write-up on BAM emphasizes how visual feedback can be a powerful instructional strategy, especially for young students developing motor awareness.

Link: https://www.ssww.com/blog/best-mobile-apps-to-use-in-your-pe-class/?srsltid=AfmBOorygv17__oS5hELuQCITN9LCes92qz-sEZWueGXoRtHeNc0lFjw

After considering all three apps, the one that is most effective for teaching SHAPE Standard 1 is BAM Video Delay. While Go Noodle and Swork-It provide excellent opportunities for movement and structured activity, BAM stands out because of its ability to offer instant visual feedback. Many of my students at KIPP Soul Primary are visual learners and benefit greatly from seeing their performance. This app allows them to reflect on their movement, build self-awareness, and become more intentional about how they execute physical tasks. Whether used during a skills station or a partner activity, BAM Video Delay can transform the way students learn and refine movement patterns, empowering them to take ownership of their physical growth.

Theories of Critical Thinking

 As I read the articles, I ponder on the word innovation and how it has changed the way students and teachers are in the school systems. The students are in a mindset of why are we doing things that will not prepare me for the real world. The teachers are having a hard time getting the students to be interested in the information that is being taught to them in the classroom. The teachers are less engaged, and they are feeling that way due to the fact that what they are covering with the students may not be what is best for them in their future. Innovation is the key to true leadership for all kids and teachers. Out with the old and in with the new, but not forgetting the old of course. We must not forget the old, I say this to say that the old is the reason why we all have so many ideas pertaining to several topics. The old is the starting point to allow us to have infinite thoughts to achieve success. Digital technology has allowed students to be able to understand subjects quicker and allow the students to be able to relate to real world situations from the technology. The technology has forced so many students to grow up fast and comprehend the subjects that are taught to them faster. Innovation is responsible for that and the innovation continues to grow everyday at a faster rate than ever. With the technology and how far it has come along in the last decade, it reminds me that people in the world have so much access to information. Once upon a time there were no resources on the level they are now. People did not have the opportunity they have now to seek knowledge. With technology being at the the level it is at today, there is no excuse on why others are not able to be creative and adapt. The only excuse is the lack of execution persistently. 

Bloom's taxonomy has been a few years of ups and downs, I say that because of my first year teaching as an educator I had no idea of what I was getting myself involved with. The students' behavior would interfere with the teaching to allow them to be able to learn. I had to build relationships fast to learn all my students. Learning all my students allowed me to connect with them so I would be able to get insight back from them to teach lessons a different way the next go around. "Our goal in this report is to contribute to a clearer vision of a new model of education, and to provide insights into how that vision can rapidly become a reality across systems " (Fullan, Langworthy 2014). A clearer vision will give everyone the mindset to give their best effort when it comes to learning new material. Of course seek opposition, because through tough times the brain is challenged in essential ways that will allow one to grow. a clearer vision is always the mission, the clearer the goals are the more students and teachers will be able to catch on fast. 

    Adopters and innovation can be stuck or they can grow. Laggards are the ones that tend to get left behind due to them wanting to stay in the same environment and never seeking to grow. Growth challenges the laggards and they run away from the challenges, rather than face them. They are used to the same learning tactics and they are comfortable with the same information. Early adopters are eager to be challenged, because they know they must be challenged in order for them to grow. Early adopters are willing to go the extra mile and do what must be done, such as: consistency, grit, and failure are three words that allow early adopters to grow exponentially. 

References 

Fullan, M. (2014). A Rich Seam How New Pedagogies Find Deep Learning.

App Review - Kourtney Burwell

Alabama State Standard:  1c - Plan and carry out an investigation to identify and explain features of a cell’s semi-permeable membrane which enable it to control what enters and exits the cell. To help students explore this concept, I’ve selected three engaging and credible educational tools that support investigation, visualization, and comprehension of the cell membrane and its semi-permeable properties.

PBS Learning Media- “Cell Membrane: Just Passing Through 

Link:Cell Membrane: Just Passing Through | PBS LearningMedia

This interactive PBS resource uses short animations and video segments to explain how molecules move across the cell membrane. It introduces students to diffusion, osmosis, and the concept of semi-permeability in a way that is both engaging and age-appropriate. The resource is free and is best suited for middle school students, particularly in grades 6–8. It is compatible with any internet-connected device, including tablets, Chromebooks, and desktop computers. The review source, PBS LearningMedia, is a trusted platform used by educators nationwide. Its content is developed by professionals in education and science communication, making it a reliable and high-quality source for teaching biological concepts.

Khan Academy “Membranes and Transport” Unit 

Link:Membranes and transport | Biology archive | Science | Khan Academy 

Khan Academy’s “Membranes and Transport” unit provides a series of lessons, diagrams, and quizzes that walk students through how materials move in and out of cells. The content covers key concepts such as passive transport, active transport, and osmosis, making it ideal for reinforcing understanding of semi-permeable membranes. The platform is completely free to use and is suitable for students in grades 6–12. It is accessible on web browsers and mobile devices, offering flexibility for both classroom and home learning. Khan Academy is a well-known nonprofit organization that collaborates with educators and content experts to ensure material accuracy and accessibility, making it a trustworthy review source.

ExploreLearning Gizmos - “Osmosis Simulation” 

Link:ExploreLearning Gizmos - Additive Colors

This virtual lab simulation allows students to experiment with osmosis by adjusting solute concentrations and observing how water moves across a semi-permeable membrane. Students can design and carry out investigations that align directly with Alabama Science Standard 1c. The Gizmo is best for grades 6–9 and works on most web-enabled devices including Chromebooks, desktops, and tablets. While the platform offers a free trial, full access requires a subscription (around $150/year per teacher, with district and school pricing available). ExploreLearning is a highly respected educational company known for its STEM-based digital tools. Its simulations are frequently recommended in professional development settings and have been positively reviewed by both teachers and independent education reviewers, which adds credibility to its value as a learning resource.

Best app 
All three tools support different aspects of teaching Standard 1c, but the Gizmos Osmosis Simulation stands out for its emphasis on student-driven investigation. It allows learners to test hypotheses, manipulate variables, and draw conclusions based on direct observation, making it an ideal match for the “plan and carry out an investigation” component of the standard. While it is not free, its depth, interactivity, and ability to mimic real lab conditions make it a worthwhile investment for classrooms focused on inquiry-based science instruction.

App Reviews -Ridge Watson

World History and Geography: Age of Revolution to Present Grade 9                                            Standard:4a Describe the technological inventions and labor conditions that characterized the Industrial Revolution in Europe.

https://www.alabamaachieves.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AS_20250110_2024-Alabama-Course-of-Study-Social-Studies_V1.0.pdf

Learning Apps: 

OER Project https://www.oerproject.com/

Review: https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/oer-project

    OER Project is an educator and student-friendly application, whose main purpose is to be a tool to help deliver content to students. The app is also useful for educators, in particular, because it provides standards-based lesson plans that are supported by the course of study. It also provides activities, supporting videos, and assessments to provide students upon finishing a particular topic. The app is free for educators and students. It is accessible via computer and or phone/tablet. OER Project contains standards-based lessons and materials for history classes K-12. The intended age group ranges from your typical elementary school history classes all the way up to junior/senior level AP history classes, such as AP Government and AP US History. I would be using this app for ninth-grade AP World History. For this particular standard regarding the Industrial Revolution, this app would provide students with bonus content, such as videos and close reads, to help supplement their learning from class. This app is a phenomenal resource to supplement learning for my students. I chose Common Sense Media as the review platform because it provides trusted and thorough information on the app. It provides the reader with user reviews, learning reviews, expert evaluations, and many other useful feedback tools.

Common Lit: https://www.commonlit.org/en/home

Review: https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/commonlit

Common Lit is an educational app/website that is primarily intended as a site to obtain primary and secondary sources. You simply need to type in a topic, and Common Lit will immediately give you primary and secondary sources to supplement your learners with. Sources range from historical articles and political cartoons to historical graphs and charts. The websites can then supply assessments to the students, which contain multiple-choice and free-response questions. Unfortunately, the website does not grade the assessments for you. However, this is a benefit due to the subjectivity of the teacher's grading. This application is free to use for teachers, but your school may purchase "school plans", which range from $1000-$6000 per school per year. The paid versions offer further assessments, full learning management system integration, dedicated account support, and much more. Once again, this application is K-12 friendly and provides a range of sources for all reading levels. This application is best used on a computer, such as a school-issued device. One issue that the application has is that some resources are very limited, depending on the topic. For example, World War II would provide countless resources for reading, while a smaller part of history, like the Sepoy Rebellion, may only provide you with one or two sources, if any at all. Common Lit provides many resources for the Industrial Revolution. This topic would be ideal to use this application for due to the wide variety of resources Common Lit provides on the Industrial Revolution. I would use this to supplement reading and other sources for my students. Once again, I chose Common Sense Media to review this application. Common Sense provided a wide range of reviews for Common Lit, citing its lack of resources and expensive, premium options. Common Sense Media is top-of-the-line when it comes to educational research review platforms. 

Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/teacher/khanmigo-tools

Review: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/website-reviews/khan-academy

    Khan Academy is a very famous application that is used by teachers and students alike in every educational field, from history to physics. Khan Academy is known for its in-depth tutoring, its thorough videos, and its unprecedented AI capabilities. AI capabilities include lesson plan, exit slip, and bell ringer generators. It can also generate rubrics and other grading materials. Every educator should be familiar with Khan Academy and their plethora of resources to help make their life easier. Khan Academy is also very useful for students due to the sheer amount of resources, like videos and tips for success. Khan Academy specializes in every subject, using current and former content area specialists to design curricula and other useful methods of learning. This application is completely free, but is open to donations. Khan Academy is accessible to all devices that have internet capabilities. Khan Academy also has a large YouTube presence in case of website blocking. The intended age group is K-12. The application provides grade-level resources to ensure students are given exactly what they need to be on standard. Common Sense Media was used again to review this website due to the variety of reviewers they allow input from. Common Sense has reviews from parents, students, and third-party professionals. Their in-depth reviews allow for an understanding of those who wish to navigate and use Khan Academy. 

Application of Choice: Khan Academy 

The clear choice of all of these applications would be Khan Academy. There is simply so much you can do with this application. Whether you are a student or an educator, this has to be a tool in your toolbox. Students can use the many videos and helpful tips to study. Educators should be familiar with the application due to its helpful AI integration and tools. Another function of Khan Academy is its ability to link with multiple school learning management system platforms. For example, if your school uses Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams, Khan Academy can automatically assign assignments with the push of a button. You can also be sure that all of Khan  Academy's resources are standards-based. Khan Academy has also been around for many years and has perfected its website and its strategies. Schools should promote Khan Academy to their teachers to ensure consistent use and understanding of the application. If a school uses Khan Academy to supplement all of its courses, students could experience substantial growth in all of their classes.

App Reviews-Lin Slater

 

App Reviews-Lin Slater

 

State Standard-Health Education: Anchor Standard 5: Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health. 6.5.1 Describe situations that can help or hinder making a healthy decision.

https://wayground.com/admin                    

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/quizizz-play-to-learn

Wayground/Quizizz APP

Wayground was formerly known as Quizizz. It helps students meet grade-level standards. This free app is widely used in educational settings for students from middle school to high school. Wayground is a trusted platform that allows students to participate in interactive lessons using flashcards, videos, and active presentations. It is compatible with Apple, Android, and Google Drive. Wayground also uses AI to generate questions and prompts. This app's review is credible because it was based on child development research.

 

State Standard-Health Education: Anchor Standard 6: Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health. 6.6.1 Assess personal health practices. Examples: food choices, physical activity, hygiene.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fooducate.nutritionapp&hl=en-US&pli=1

 

Fooducate App

Fooducate is a nutrition and health tracker used by many people to help lose weight. It can be used by students to help keep track of the foods they eat and also assist in determining which foods are the healthiest. The app tracks the calories in foods; it can also help keep up with calories burned during workouts. Users must be 17 and up to use this app. This is a free app, and it offers many benefits to help improve overall health. It is compatible with Apple, Android, and Google. The site I listed has credible reviews from current users that provide great insight into the benefits of using the app.

 

 

 

 

State Standard-Health Education: Anchor Standard 7: Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks. 6.7.2 Describe practices to avoid reducing health risks to self and others. Examples: smoking or vaping, drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs, texting while driving

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/truth-about-drugs-education/id477643395

 

Truth About Drugs Education App

 

The Truth About Drugs Education App is an app designed to help give educators a tool to teach facts about drug use. This app helps encourage students to live a drug free life. The app features lesson plans, interactive activities, and videos that help teach real facts about the dangers of drug use. Students can review information, take interactive assessments, and learn how to make better choices about drug use.  Students can download the app and do assignments at home. This is a free app and is for the use of ages 12 and up. This app is compatible with apple devices. The reviews of this app are credible because the reviews are from former students who have used the app to complete assignments for their classes.

 

I feel the best app is Wayground/Quizizz. I use this app the most in my Health classes and my students seem to love it. I love it because I can customize the lessons to the specific subject and grade level that I am teaching in a particular class.  I can also create my own quiz based on the material I have covered in class. This helps because it’s not just a generic quiz, but a quiz I made based on particular information I may have given in notes during class. Students get to work on their own using this app which can help alleviate the pressure that some students face when trying to finish assignments at a particular time. Students can also get competitive when playing Quizizz games and competing for the highest scores on the timed quizzes.

Alabama Virtual Library Resource-Hunt

 https://youtu.be/yLRtOZUiaN8

One valuable resource that i found available through the Alabama Virtual Library is PBS Learning Media, which is a free digital platform offering thousands of high-quality, educational materials that are based on the common core standards and Alabama State Standards.. Its focus spans across all core subjects including math, science, English language arts, and social studies, and it provides engaging content such as videos, interactive lessons, lesson plans, and quizzes. PBS Learning Media is suitable for all grade levels, from elementary through high school, making it a very useful tool for any educator. For 7th grade math, I could use this resource to supplement a unit on proportional reasoning or real-world applications of percentages by incorporating short video clips and interactive simulations that help students visualize abstract concepts like tax, tip, or interest. More broadly, this resource can support differentiated instruction and cross-curricular learning for a wide range of students and subject areas.

Chun_AVL Demonstration - Pronunciator

 Link: https://youtu.be/dEtAi55Er5Q

For this assignment, I chose Pronunciator from the Alabama Virtual Library. This is an online learning platform that allows its users to learn more than a hundred languages with a variety of features such as personalized courses, audio and video clips, quizzes, flashcards, etc. At first, Pronunciator reminded me of Duolingo, as both programs are designed to teach foreign languages. However, I think Pronunciator is more accessible and useful than Duolingo for the following reasons: 1) it's free, 2) it offers a variety of options, 3) it has no limits of "heart" (i.e., mistakes will not stop your learning), and 4) it is more education-focused. Pronunciator is helpful for all students, but I believe this will significantly help ELL students the most. With this free resource, ELL students can learn English in their native language! I believe Pronunciator is appropriate for learners of all ages. I plan to share this with ELL teachers in my school, and I also plan to use this in my classroom to help ELL students learn common conversational phrases used in a school and key vocabulary/phrases frequently used in 8th grade math. In addition, I also plan to use this over this summer to learn a little bit of Spanish (e.g., conversational phrases) to communicate with my Spanish-speaking ELL students so that they feel included in my classroom.

App Review- Hunt

 

I chose the following standard (Alabama 7th Grade Mathematics) and apps:

Standard: MA19.7.22 Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, volume, and surface area of two- and three- dimensional objects composed of triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, cubes, and right rectangular prisms.

Apps:

GeoGebra

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

GeoGebra is an interactive math app that allows students to see and manipulate mathematical objects in both 2D and 3D. Students can explore surface area and volume by adjusting dimensions and viewing real time updates. The app is free to use and designed for middle school and high school students making it an idea app for my 7^th grade class. The app is accessible from a range of devices such as Chromebooks, iPads, Android Tablets, and even computers. The review from a third party I chose was Common Sense Education which is a credible and valued source when it comes to digital technology. It evaluates apps through the view of a teacher and takes into count classroom relevance, educational value and user engagement.

Desmos Geometry

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

While Desmos is usually used for Algebra they do have a geometry app that allows for construction and deconstruction of shapes for students to analyze area and volumes. In this digital platform students create, manipulate and explore 2D figures they take from their word problems. This tool is completely free and is best used by Grades 6-12. It works on any web browser so if your device can surf the net, it can launch and run the Desmos Platform. Here again I used Common Sense Education as my third-party reviewer. It’s good to point out they include actual teacher feedback and even offers detailed rubrics for assessing this and other apps’ impact and accessibility.

BrainPOP

Review: https://www.commonsense.org/education/reviews/brainpop

BrainPOP provides animated educational videos paired with quizzes, games, and other learning activities. For this standard it offers lessons like volume and surface area through content that is highly engaging and accessible. The material is presented in a type of story aspect with the main characters Tim and Moby who offer great explanations for topics as they navigate through the story. With cost, BrainPOP turns from the previous two apps as it is a required paid prescription. A lot of schools pay for it or similar apps such as Iready, but in my opinion BrainPOP is way more engaging. On average the cost is around 13-18 dollars per student a year so not too extravagant. The app targets students from grades 3-8. It is operational on IOS, Android, and other major web browsers but is supported best on more advanced devices. Finally I chose Common Sense Education here once again, its really hard to find a better review website. Not only does it do all that is previously mentioned it also aligns its evaluations with learning goals and student engagement it even describes the dangers the app may have in terms of privacy and digital literacy.

Over-all Winner: BrainPOP!

Standing out as the best option among the three apps, GeoGebra, Desmos and BrainPOP, BrainPOP is the clear winner. It is the most versatile and student-friendly option for teaching the chosen standard and can be used as an aid for all of Math. What I believe sets it apart is the more engaging material such as the animated videos, interactive quizzes, games and included visual organizers. These things really make it more likely a 7^th Grade student will it down and pay attention, making more complex standards such as geometry and word problems more differentiated for all students.

While the other two apps are great options and excellent tools for visualizing math, they often are only utilized by high level students since they require critical thinking and a strong foundational understanding to begin with. These things can possibly make them hard for some 7^th grade students to use, especially those who are visual and language learners. BrainPOP on the other hand presents the material in a story driven scaffolded format that helps a variety of students.

Even compared to other more mainstream and widely used platforms such as IXL and I-Ready, BrainPOP offers a more engaging and less stressful experience. The latter two apps focus on repetitive and adaptive question sets which often have students frustrated or even being lazy to get easier questions and make the data skewed. BrainPOP instead uses funny little stories and clips with relatable real-world situations that help explain why Math matters and when the students can use it, helping them connect real world meaning to the standard. In short, the app is the victor because it’s more engaging, support a variety of students, and lays a strong foundation for mathematics so the students can grasp more technical apps like GeoGebra and Desmos later on.