Review the links for Apple apps and Google apps. Choose an app that you could use in your classroom. Describe the app, how you would use it, and what advantage would students have using the app vs. traditional methods?
After reviewing the links for Apple and Google apps and considering the applications I use in my classroom, my favorite application for my students is “Raz Kids.” “Raz Kids” is an application that student use to read eBooks on their current reading level. This application is great for any grade level as it allows students to read on their independent reading level. I teach Kindergarten and my students are using it, 5th grade students in my school are using it as well. Raz-Kids application has over 100 interactive leveled books ranging from 27 different reading levels. Teachers, students and parents love this application because it helps students become a better reader while enjoying it! When students are finished reading the book, they have to take a “quiz” to check for their understanding. After taking the quiz, students receive points; therefore it is very rewarding and motivating. Teachers can also create assignments and track their students’ progress. Students can access this at home and practice their reading with their parents. Parents are informed to their child’s reading level and can work with them at home. This application can be used during independent reading time and to practice their reading at home. Parents are always asking what “level” their child is on and what “books” they can have their child read. This is a great way to have students practice their reading at home on their appropriate level and a great piece of communication between teachers and parents. This is an advantage for students to use this application as opposed to reading a traditional book because the students love using iPads and technology. The book gives the students an instant reward and motivates them to continue their reading so they can progress to another reading level! -Jenna Kinkead
Hi! I really enjoyed researching and looking up all of the different educational apps that are available to teachers, parents and students alike! As technologically savvy as I may think I am, reading posts like the one presented to us only proves that there is still so much to learn regarding the different ed. tech resources out there to explore and utilize. I'm constantly looking up different things to utilize with my students to make the learning process fun for them! One app that I have been using everyday with my first graders is Class Dojo. This is a behavior management app that allows the teacher to make a "monster" avatar for each of his/her students. Throughout the school day, the teacher can decide to award an individual student, small groups or the whole class positive points for good behavior. If a student, groups of students or the whole class is not doing the right thing, the teacher can take away points. Class Dojo is beneficial because it makes a graph of your class' behavior demographic each month, and it highlights which of your students is behaving poorly, and which are on track. This is a great way to collect data on your class and to use during parent-teacher conferences! On that same note, parents/guardians also have access to Class Dojo, and can track their child's progress and behaviors through the app as well. It is a good way to have parents and teachers connected and on the same page. What I find to be really unique about this app is that it gives the teacher the freedom to tailor the app to meet the individual needs of their class. For example, the teacher can choose what positive behavior points they want to award their students. Some examples are: On Task, Participation, Respectful, etc. Depending on the age and grade level that you are teaching, you change and alter as necessary. The same goes for the negative points. In my experiences so far, I've found that my first graders really respond well to Class Dojo. It is a great motivator to keep them focused, on track and behaving well throughout the school day. What is really cool is that because the app is available on the iPhone, I can award or take away points while we are out of the classroom! For example, if a student is misbehaving in the hallway, I can take away a point right there, the same goes for the lunch room as well! I'm looking forward to researching some more of the apps provided in the lists, like the Sight Words lists and the flashcards to practice math facts and phonics. -Dina Discepolo :)
I think that both Apple apps and Google apps are incredible and have amazing ways to bring technology into a classroom. I teach an integrated preschool class. Therefore, many of these incredible apps are a little too advanced for my little ones. However, an app I love to use with my students are the Apple Starfall apps. There is Starfall ABC, Starfall 123, Starfall Snowman, and many more to choose from. All of the Starfall apps add on to a lesson on a specific letter I am teaching for the week. The students are able to get on to an iPad to play the app and in a fun way are being reinforced to learn their letters/numbers. I usually like to make the iPads a center in the classroom. The students get to rotate and take turns using the iPad. The Starfall apps are in a file on the iPad and they can usually choose whether they would like to work on numbers or letters. During letter “S” week the students created their own snowmen with a partner out of any art materials they thought necessary. Before building the snowman the students sat down at the iPad and used the Starfall Snowman app to build the snowman together. This reinforced partner communication, collaboration, sharing, and social skills. I also use Google Apps often for my own benefit in the classroom. When I need to type a document at work it is so beneficial to type the documents in Google Docs. Once a document is typed into Google Docs I am able to view and edit the document wherever I have the Google app available, so at home, school, or work. It also allows me to share the document very easily with any other person who has a Google account. Then that other person is able to very easily edit or comment on the document. I am really starting to love all that Google has to offer for Apps now.
I utilize Google apps in my classroom a lot. We are a 1:1 district with Google Chromebooks and I also teach in a computer lab. I used Edmodo daily as a resource page for my students to access their Edmodo classroom and read the daily agenda for the day including the bellwork question they have to answer and any links to websites or GoogleDocs, Spreadsheets, Presentations, or Forms I have created for class that day. This makes it so easy, I don't have to print anything anymore I simply give them the link and the access I need (which is usually just for them to be able to view and make a copy for themselves.) Then they can complete their independent work and share it with me for grading! It makes it so much easier having everything in one place and I can log on and access it anywhere on any computer.
I also frequently utilize Quizlet in my classroom. We have a lot of new vocabulary words that students are not familiar with being that they are financial terms and most 14 year olds don't frequently use them in their daily vocabulary! For each chapter, I create a Quizlet flash card set of the key terms for the chapter. A day or two before we start the new chapter, I assign studying those vocabulary terms as a homework assignment so that they familiarize themselves with the terms. It makes the classroom discussions for each chapter a little easier and run a lot smoother since they have at least been introduced to the words beforehand. It also serves as a great study tool for my students to utilize before they are tested on the terms.
I really love GoogleApps and the Google Drive "suite" being a business teacher, I am a bit partial to Microsoft Office and was a little weary of opening up to the Google world but, I am really glad I have given it a chance because I love it and utilize it in my classroom on a daily basis, in all different formats! - Kara McNish
An app that I frequently use in my second grade classroom is Readinga-z. This app ensures success in my classroom with engaging, developmentally appropriate leveled books at various reading levels. I find that graduated levels of difficulty help build students' confidence while at the same time increasing comprehension and fluency. In my classroom during independent reading time, the student(s) are given an ipad, select their independent reading level (already given by the teacher), and can read through a book of their choice. Within each reading level is a lengthy list of books ranging from fiction to nonfiction including fables, folktales, and biographies. If a child is reading and gets stuck on a “tricky word”, there is a feature on this app that allows the child to click the underlined word and is then given the definition with a picture. When the student completes the book, there are comprehension questions to check for understanding. The teacher has access to additional resources for each book. The resources include guided reading lessons, worksheets that help build comprehension and phonics, word work, and assessments. Also, all of the books are projectable. Therefore, I can use them as shared reading on my SmartBoard for whole class instruction. -Danielle Hering
Hi Everyone, After reviewing the links for Apple and Google apps, my favorite application I use in the classroom is “Teach Me: Kindergarten.” This is an educational app, which teaches six different subjects to Kindergarten students. The various subjects include: Addition, Subtraction, Sight Words, Spelling, Number writing, and Letter writing. I am fortunate to have iPads in my classroom, so my students will log onto his/her account during Center time. Each student has a separate profile, which can be set to various levels of difficulties as well which is great for differentiation. The children do not get bored or tired or the app because they are always working for coins (3 correct answers = 1 coin). The coins can then be used to purchase stickers or even a fish in the aquarium!
Many parents are always asking me for additional resources they can use to help reinforce skills the children are learning the classroom. This app also allows students to log in from home if they have an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. There are narrated instructions so all parents have to do is help log their child in and they won’t need much or any assistance after that! Parents/teachers can view progress reports on each subject on the students profile page to help monitor progress. Teach Me: Kindergarten is a great resource for students to practice their skills at home if the technology is an available resource. Although it costs $1.99, I always recommend this app because it is a wonderful, engaging resource that keeps learning fun, even at home!
I am looking forward to reading about other Apps that everyone enjoys using in their classroom, as I am always eager to integrate more technology into the classroom!
Hello everyone, Elementary school teachers are always looking for creative teaching tools for classroom use that engage their students in the learning process. Today education has evolved from the traditional teaching methods and allows teachers to bring in more technology based apps and tools to support their daily lessons. As a first grade teacher, I am no different than those that use these tools! On a daily basis I utilize a variety of apps and tools with my students to create a more hands on and meaningful learning environment. An app that I have used for several years as a teacher and one that I find very useful is Brainpopjr. Brainpopjr is a collection of age appropriate animated video content that is centered around K-2 topics and covers a variety of subjects like health, writing, reading, science, social studies and math. The videos are highly engaging for students as they follow two main characters, Annie and her robot Moby. While viewing the movies teachers can stop at various points throughout and lead discussions with the class on the content being covered. I find that unlike many other video based sites I have seen, this one teaches the most important content is a short and fun way.
In using this app in the classroom, I find it most helpful to use as an introductory piece to the lessons that I teach. The movies are quick and provide enough details where teachers can add more to the content being addressed without it being repetitive. Moreover, because of the easy navigation through the site teachers can either view the movies whole class, assign small groups or assign the “free” movies to be viewed at home. There are many advantages of using this app in the classroom with students. One of the main advantages is that the movies have built in questions and allow teachers to pause anywhere they choose to brainstorm and actively discuss the ideas. Moreover, each movie is accompanied by quizzes, activities and games that support the topic. Furthermore, there is a section on how to extend lessons and provide additional support on various activities related to the content being addressed. If you have not used Brainpopjr and are not familiar with it, I would highly recommend checking out the site. Although this is a subscription based app, there are free “animated movies” of the week that are available. Usually these movies center around school based monthly themes and holidays. Enjoy!!
One further comment, as a professor of writing courses at the college level, establishing and maintaining student interest and attention is crucial and technology has always been the way to go. As we all know, students of all levels (K-12 and at the college level) react and interact best when using technology. My students post pictures and graphics to Pinterest based on Public Relations, add comments and other materials to Facebook based on our Public Relations course and engage in meaningful dialog and intercourse with other students in Moodle. My students also use PowerPoint for most of their presentations, including their final project, Creating a PR Campaign, which is presented in our final class. I have yet to use Prezi.
Hi, I checked out the Apple Special Education Applications. I work with 2nd graders and one of the apps that quickly appealed to me was Articulation Station. It is designed to help the students improve on pronunciation and articulation. It provides specific exercises, games, and stories, which focus on one letter sound.
The students will always benefit from one on one instruction. But there are times when they get bored and antsy listening to me over a period of time. With this application they would never get bored because they are learning through games. In addition, I can track each student’s progress and see how much information they have retained.
Students can use this app during school and at home. It’s bright and colorful images along with kid-friendly voices keep the students engaged. Another great feature is the voice narration and recording playback. This is helpful for a student to hear their story telling voice and make corrections where needed. I used that feature with my 4 students; they are currently learning a play called Fluffy Bear. Each student had a different character voice. I tried to get them to use expression for certain lines by using my own character voice and changes, but once they heard themselves they really brought their characters to life.
I like the whole google applications suite. I think it does a great job at letting students collaborate on work, allowing students to edit work post completion, and making sure that students always have assignments ready to be worked on.
I think what I like about the google apps suite is the ability to add on to current apps. If you feel like you need to add a function to a sheet there may be a third party app for that. The best part is a lot of add ons are free.
I also like that the apps work well together. Just like microsoft suite you combine the different apps for things like mail merge. I think that as the apps get more robust you will see a huge shift into the free software.
Google classroom is fine; however, unless you're a K-12 teacher, most colleges/universities don't have accounts. At Ramapo College, we use Moodle which does a good job allowing students to collaborate with forums, posts, collaborative assignments, etc. You can always have student assignments ready for them and in addition to a strong grading section when you teach writing intensive courses such as mine the Turnitin works very well for papers' submissions by students. It dissuades them from plagiarism since they know their papers are being checked as they submit them.
After reviewing the links for Apple and Google apps and considering the applications I use in my classroom, my favorite application for my students is “Raz Kids.” “Raz Kids” is an application that student use to read eBooks on their current reading level. This application is great for any grade level as it allows students to read on their independent reading level. I teach Kindergarten and my students are using it, 5th grade students in my school are using it as well. Raz-Kids application has over 100 interactive leveled books ranging from 27 different reading levels. Teachers, students and parents love this application because it helps students become a better reader while enjoying it! When students are finished reading the book, they have to take a “quiz” to check for their understanding. After taking the quiz, students receive points; therefore it is very rewarding and motivating. Teachers can also create assignments and track their students’ progress. Students can access this at home and practice their reading with their parents. Parents are informed to their child’s reading level and can work with them at home.
ReplyDeleteThis application can be used during independent reading time and to practice their reading at home. Parents are always asking what “level” their child is on and what “books” they can have their child read. This is a great way to have students practice their reading at home on their appropriate level and a great piece of communication between teachers and parents. This is an advantage for students to use this application as opposed to reading a traditional book because the students love using iPads and technology. The book gives the students an instant reward and motivates them to continue their reading so they can progress to another reading level!
-Jenna Kinkead
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed researching and looking up all of the different educational apps that are available to teachers, parents and students alike! As technologically savvy as I may think I am, reading posts like the one presented to us only proves that there is still so much to learn regarding the different ed. tech resources out there to explore and utilize. I'm constantly looking up different things to utilize with my students to make the learning process fun for them!
One app that I have been using everyday with my first graders is Class Dojo. This is a behavior management app that allows the teacher to make a "monster" avatar for each of his/her students. Throughout the school day, the teacher can decide to award an individual student, small groups or the whole class positive points for good behavior. If a student, groups of students or the whole class is not doing the right thing, the teacher can take away points.
Class Dojo is beneficial because it makes a graph of your class' behavior demographic each month, and it highlights which of your students is behaving poorly, and which are on track. This is a great way to collect data on your class and to use during parent-teacher conferences! On that same note, parents/guardians also have access to Class Dojo, and can track their child's progress and behaviors through the app as well. It is a good way to have parents and teachers connected and on the same page.
What I find to be really unique about this app is that it gives the teacher the freedom to tailor the app to meet the individual needs of their class. For example, the teacher can choose what positive behavior points they want to award their students. Some examples are: On Task, Participation, Respectful, etc. Depending on the age and grade level that you are teaching, you change and alter as necessary. The same goes for the negative points.
In my experiences so far, I've found that my first graders really respond well to Class Dojo. It is a great motivator to keep them focused, on track and behaving well throughout the school day. What is really cool is that because the app is available on the iPhone, I can award or take away points while we are out of the classroom! For example, if a student is misbehaving in the hallway, I can take away a point right there, the same goes for the lunch room as well!
I'm looking forward to researching some more of the apps provided in the lists, like the Sight Words lists and the flashcards to practice math facts and phonics.
-Dina Discepolo :)
I think that both Apple apps and Google apps are incredible and have amazing ways to bring technology into a classroom. I teach an integrated preschool class. Therefore, many of these incredible apps are a little too advanced for my little ones. However, an app I love to use with my students are the Apple Starfall apps. There is Starfall ABC, Starfall 123, Starfall Snowman, and many more to choose from. All of the Starfall apps add on to a lesson on a specific letter I am teaching for the week. The students are able to get on to an iPad to play the app and in a fun way are being reinforced to learn their letters/numbers. I usually like to make the iPads a center in the classroom. The students get to rotate and take turns using the iPad. The Starfall apps are in a file on the iPad and they can usually choose whether they would like to work on numbers or letters.
ReplyDeleteDuring letter “S” week the students created their own snowmen with a partner out of any art materials they thought necessary. Before building the snowman the students sat down at the iPad and used the Starfall Snowman app to build the snowman together. This reinforced partner communication, collaboration, sharing, and social skills.
I also use Google Apps often for my own benefit in the classroom. When I need to type a document at work it is so beneficial to type the documents in Google Docs. Once a document is typed into Google Docs I am able to view and edit the document wherever I have the Google app available, so at home, school, or work. It also allows me to share the document very easily with any other person who has a Google account. Then that other person is able to very easily edit or comment on the document. I am really starting to love all that Google has to offer for Apps now.
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ReplyDeleteI utilize Google apps in my classroom a lot. We are a 1:1 district with Google Chromebooks and I also teach in a computer lab. I used Edmodo daily as a resource page for my students to access their Edmodo classroom and read the daily agenda for the day including the bellwork question they have to answer and any links to websites or GoogleDocs, Spreadsheets, Presentations, or Forms I have created for class that day. This makes it so easy, I don't have to print anything anymore I simply give them the link and the access I need (which is usually just for them to be able to view and make a copy for themselves.) Then they can complete their independent work and share it with me for grading! It makes it so much easier having everything in one place and I can log on and access it anywhere on any computer.
ReplyDeleteI also frequently utilize Quizlet in my classroom. We have a lot of new vocabulary words that students are not familiar with being that they are financial terms and most 14 year olds don't frequently use them in their daily vocabulary! For each chapter, I create a Quizlet flash card set of the key terms for the chapter. A day or two before we start the new chapter, I assign studying those vocabulary terms as a homework assignment so that they familiarize themselves with the terms. It makes the classroom discussions for each chapter a little easier and run a lot smoother since they have at least been introduced to the words beforehand. It also serves as a great study tool for my students to utilize before they are tested on the terms.
I really love GoogleApps and the Google Drive "suite" being a business teacher, I am a bit partial to Microsoft Office and was a little weary of opening up to the Google world but, I am really glad I have given it a chance because I love it and utilize it in my classroom on a daily basis, in all different formats!
- Kara McNish
An app that I frequently use in my second grade classroom is Readinga-z. This app ensures success in my classroom with engaging, developmentally appropriate leveled books at various reading levels. I find that graduated levels of difficulty help build students' confidence while at the same time increasing comprehension and fluency. In my classroom during independent reading time, the student(s) are given an ipad, select their independent reading level (already given by the teacher), and can read through a book of their choice. Within each reading level is a lengthy list of books ranging from fiction to nonfiction including fables, folktales, and biographies. If a child is reading and gets stuck on a “tricky word”, there is a feature on this app that allows the child to click the underlined word and is then given the definition with a picture. When the student completes the book, there are comprehension questions to check for understanding. The teacher has access to additional resources for each book. The resources include guided reading lessons, worksheets that help build comprehension and phonics, word work, and assessments. Also, all of the books are projectable. Therefore, I can use them as shared reading on my SmartBoard for whole class instruction.
ReplyDelete-Danielle Hering
Hi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteAfter reviewing the links for Apple and Google apps, my favorite application I use in the classroom is “Teach Me: Kindergarten.” This is an educational app, which teaches six different subjects to Kindergarten students. The various subjects include: Addition, Subtraction, Sight Words, Spelling, Number writing, and Letter writing. I am fortunate to have iPads in my classroom, so my students will log onto his/her account during Center time. Each student has a separate profile, which can be set to various levels of difficulties as well which is great for differentiation. The children do not get bored or tired or the app because they are always working for coins (3 correct answers = 1 coin). The coins can then be used to purchase stickers or even a fish in the aquarium!
Many parents are always asking me for additional resources they can use to help reinforce skills the children are learning the classroom. This app also allows students to log in from home if they have an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. There are narrated instructions so all parents have to do is help log their child in and they won’t need much or any assistance after that! Parents/teachers can view progress reports on each subject on the students profile page to help monitor progress. Teach Me: Kindergarten is a great resource for students to practice their skills at home if the technology is an available resource. Although it costs $1.99, I always recommend this app because it is a wonderful, engaging resource that keeps learning fun, even at home!
I am looking forward to reading about other Apps that everyone enjoys using in their classroom, as I am always eager to integrate more technology into the classroom!
- Jordana Gertler
Hello everyone,
ReplyDeleteElementary school teachers are always looking for creative teaching tools for classroom use that engage their students in the learning process. Today education has evolved from the traditional teaching methods and allows teachers to bring in more technology based apps and tools to support their daily lessons. As a first grade teacher, I am no different than those that use these tools! On a daily basis I utilize a variety of apps and tools with my students to create a more hands on and meaningful learning environment. An app that I have used for several years as a teacher and one that I find very useful is Brainpopjr. Brainpopjr is a collection of age appropriate animated video content that is centered around K-2 topics and covers a variety of subjects like health, writing, reading, science, social studies and math. The videos are highly engaging for students as they follow two main characters, Annie and her robot Moby. While viewing the movies teachers can stop at various points throughout and lead discussions with the class on the content being covered. I find that unlike many other video based sites I have seen, this one teaches the most important content is a short and fun way.
In using this app in the classroom, I find it most helpful to use as an introductory piece to the lessons that I teach. The movies are quick and provide enough details where teachers can add more to the content being addressed without it being repetitive. Moreover, because of the easy navigation through the site teachers can either view the movies whole class, assign small groups or assign the “free” movies to be viewed at home. There are many advantages of using this app in the classroom with students. One of the main advantages is that the movies have built in questions and allow teachers to pause anywhere they choose to brainstorm and actively discuss the ideas. Moreover, each movie is accompanied by quizzes, activities and games that support the topic. Furthermore, there is a section on how to extend lessons and provide additional support on various activities related to the content being addressed. If you have not used Brainpopjr and are not familiar with it, I would highly recommend checking out the site. Although this is a subscription based app, there are free “animated movies” of the week that are available. Usually these movies center around school based monthly themes and holidays. Enjoy!!
-Kathy Gasienica
Other than Quizlet I use Moodle for everything since I teach college courses in Writing. Moodle has everything I need.
ReplyDeleteOne further comment, as a professor of writing courses at the college level, establishing and maintaining student interest and attention is crucial and technology has always been the way to go. As we all know, students of all levels (K-12 and at the college level) react and interact best when using technology. My students post pictures and graphics to Pinterest based on Public Relations, add comments and other materials to Facebook based on our Public Relations course and engage in meaningful dialog and intercourse with other students in Moodle. My students also use PowerPoint for most of their presentations, including their final project, Creating a PR Campaign, which is presented in our final class. I have yet to use Prezi.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI checked out the Apple Special Education Applications. I work with 2nd graders and one of the apps that quickly appealed to me was Articulation Station. It is designed to help the students improve on pronunciation and articulation. It provides specific exercises, games, and stories, which focus on one letter sound.
The students will always benefit from one on one instruction. But there are times when they get bored and antsy listening to me over a period of time. With this application they would never get bored because they are learning through games. In addition, I can track each student’s progress and see how much information they have retained.
Students can use this app during school and at home. It’s bright and colorful images along with kid-friendly voices keep the students engaged. Another great feature is the voice narration and recording playback. This is helpful for a student to hear their story telling voice and make corrections where needed. I used that feature with my 4 students; they are currently learning a play called Fluffy Bear. Each student had a different character voice. I tried to get them to use expression for certain lines by using my own character voice and changes, but once they heard themselves they really brought their characters to life.
I like the whole google applications suite. I think it does a great job at letting students collaborate on work, allowing students to edit work post completion, and making sure that students always have assignments ready to be worked on.
ReplyDeleteI think what I like about the google apps suite is the ability to add on to current apps. If you feel like you need to add a function to a sheet there may be a third party app for that. The best part is a lot of add ons are free.
I also like that the apps work well together. Just like microsoft suite you combine the different apps for things like mail merge. I think that as the apps get more robust you will see a huge shift into the free software.
- By Cory Pinto
DeleteGoogle classroom is fine; however, unless you're a K-12 teacher, most colleges/universities don't have accounts. At Ramapo College, we use Moodle which does a good job allowing students to collaborate with forums, posts, collaborative assignments, etc. You can always have student assignments ready for them and in addition to a strong grading section when you teach writing intensive courses such as mine the Turnitin works very well for papers' submissions by students. It dissuades them from plagiarism since they know their papers are being checked as they submit them.
Delete