Tackk

Tackk

    Tackk is a creation app that allows you to design a web page using headlines, pictures, links, text, lists, buttons, and more! It's recommended for all ages, and can be created and used in the classroom by teachers and students.  While you don't have to create an account to use this app, the creation will only last for a week without one.
     Tackk is user friendly as it walks you through the process step by step to create your web page. It also contains an easy to use toolbox on the side of the page to change the background, theme, text size and font, etc. The app is exceptional for differentiation, as ESL students can post a page containing mainly pictures with little text, and students with special needs can post a page with only pictures.
     Students using Tackk would be engaged and motivated as it gives them a chance to personalize the web page to represent them and their learning. This app gives students a chance to share the web page with their classmates as well and learn from each other. Once the web page is completed, it can be used for evaluation and assessment by the facilitator and peers. 
     Tackk allows for critical thinking as students create a web page that requires the application of their knowledge on a particular subject in order to demonstrate their understanding.
     Tackk would be a good tool for creations like book reviews, PBL (project based learning) products, and making lists of appropriate websites for certain projects. If I were to redesign some projects from student teaching to include this tool, I would use it in a second grade PBL product over historical figures showing individualism or inventiveness. Instead of the learners creating a hand made timeline and book review, they could create a Tackk web page that included the title of their historical figure, a picture of them, and pictures and/or text (depending on their learning level) of how that figure showed individualism or inventiveness. I would also redesign a fourth grade lesson on expository versus narrative writing. My students struggled to take one theme and write about it in both styles, so we could create web pages as a class that gave examples of expository and narrative style introductions for common themes.   

Here are some websites to find out more about Tackk! 

Youtube-Tackk 

Free Technology for Teachers- Tackk

Skitch

Was very impressed with this app. Easy to navigate through even for an ole schooler like me! I could see this app as a great modification tool for PBL presentations for some of our learners that need additional assistance. I could easily see this app used in a collaboration and peer assisted situation. The end result is a great presentation! I wish it had a spell check, better font selection and an audio response feature for our non-verbal students.
Recommeded age range- K- 12
User Friendliness- Very user friendly by allowing learner to snap and annotate webpages, existing photos, existing maps, photos they have taken etc... very easily.
Critical Thinking-This app encourages applying information and creating products for presentation and assessment purposes.
Differentiation-It is very simple to use and should meet most learners needs for this type of application. Has great potential to help students with special needs enhance their PBL presentations.
Motivation-students should be excited about using this app either individually or in collaboration with others.
Assessment/Reporting-the end product from this app should be easily assessed.
Account-You do need an Evernote account to use.

30 Hands

Recommended Age Range:  All Ages

Rating of App in iTunes: 4.5 stars

User friendliness:  30 Hands is a very user friendly app, especially for use with elementary children.  There are some step-by-step tutorials on YouTube should you have questions that are not answered on the app itself.

Critical Thinking/Differentiation:  This app allows for a lot of open-ended projects and presentations to be created and published by students.

Motivation:  I think that kids will be highly motivated using this app, as it is an avenue for producing and presenting their work virtually to others.

Assessment/Reporting:  This is a perfect assessment tool when using for student portfolios.  The students will be able to choose the products that they want to share as evidence of mastery.

Does the app need an account?  An account is recommended for this site (a basic one is free).

How this app could be used in your classroom:  I am going to use the app as a supplement (alongside Google) for student portfolios.  The students will be able to easily take a picture within the app and create a recoding to go along with each slide.  This would be perfect for kids reading their page in a class book, explaining independent projects, etc.  When it is all placed together, it is seamless.

Knowmia

Is a creation tool that will allow you to create short videos as well as assess for learning of the content from the videos.  This app has a large library of videos over all content that you can search and use.  The videos you create will be assessible to anyone using the app.
This app is user friendly for all ages. Learners can log into this ap and navigate independently.
Learners watch videos you set for them but, not create their own.
There is lot of differentiation to meet various needs.  The videos and assessments you create can be as detailed as you need or be brief clips to show an example.
Motivation and engagement will be present if the information you create will lend itself to meeting these needs.  Your videos should stay short and to the point.
This app provides the ability for assessments. You can create multiple choice and open ended questions.  You have the ability to set due dates and check the login time of learners.
You do need to create an account to use this app.  Students, parents, and teachers can all create accounts.
This could be used in my classroom to give students additional resources on topics being covered in class.  I would use it as a visual and to show diagrams.  You can also create slides with text to assist
in learning.
I can see this being used when describing groundwater.  There would be a diagram showing ground water and the effects of outdoors activities on groundwater.
There are video tutorials on the knowmia site that are helpful in signing up, creating videos, and creating assessments.
Knowmia has not been rated by others.  I would give it a 4.

Educreations

Recommended age range: Kinder-12th grade and beyond
Rating in iTunes: 4 stars
My Rating: 4 stars

User Friendliness: The learner can easily launch and navigate the app independently. It does take some practice, however, to create a lesson from beginning to end without making errors, as the app does not allow the user to view the lesson and then go back and edit. The lesson can be paused while the user is typing or uploading pics, helping the finished product look more professional and polished.

Critical Thinking: The app does allow for critical thinking. Not only can a lesson be created by an educator for learners to access and watch, but the learners can also use the app to create videos for their peers to showcase their knowledge of content with drawings, voice, pics, and pages.

Differentiation: The app is flexible to meet the learners' needs by allowing viewers to watch a video several times, pause, rewind, and share. Lessons created and shared by other Educreations users can be accessed by the learners as well. In addition, the learners can create videos as simple as a pic with voice-over to a several page storyboard.

Motivation: The learners will be motivated and engaged while using this app. It's fun to use and the learners will be able to navigate it easily. Being an app that allows for drawing, pics, and voice, it gives the user many tools that make creating lessons fun. Educreations is a much more motivating tool than Power Point or slideshow apps.

Assessment/Reporting: The app does provide an end product that can be assessed by the educator or by peers. The app allows teachers to set-up classrooms where their learners can share their creations. The lessons can be viewed by the educator and not other peers in the digital classroom. The app could be even better if the users in the classroom could share with each other as well.

Account: The app does require an account set-up prior to use, but it is free. There is a "teacher" version and a "student" version of the app, allowing the educator to set up classrooms.

Educational Application: I will use this app in my course by creating lessons that involve drawing, labeling, and describing the processes involved in several different earth science models, including the Moon formation, layers of interior earth and convection currents, and divergent and convergent boundaries. I have used my actual classroom whiteboard for these concepts in the past as the learners copy the drawings and notes into their lab notebooks.

Reflection: I have created a lesson of interior earth that includes pics, a drawing of the layers and labels of each, and a voice-over description of the movement of heat and materials within the mantle. The video will be posted to a class site for the learners to access after drawing the same thing in their lab notebooks. Learners can access the video as much as needed to understand and perfect their own drawing of the model. Learners could also re-create the lesson on their own using the app.

Angela Barnes Binder
Earth and Space Science
CHS

Scene Partner

 

What It Does:  Helps Actors Memorize Lines
Where to Buy It:  Available through the Apple App Store for iPad, iPhone, or iPod
What It Costs:  Free
Personal Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Scene Partner helps an actor memorize their lines, gives the teacher or theatre a chance to have a virtual library of scripts that can be shared, and allows writers to upload their own scripts.  The whole idea of "free" is the only part that is misleading.  Although the app itself is free, there are several costs for features, downloading and uploading.

You can input scripts into your Library several ways. Download public scripts (currently public domain scripts from authors such as Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Moliere, etc.)  Or you can select scripts from supported publishers Samuel French or Dramatist Play Service (musicals are about to be added, as well, from Music Theatre International).  Or upload scripts from scene books or originally written plays following the company's guidelines, submit them through the website, using a simple registration and login process, and then transfer them to your device.

Once you have a script, tap one to select it, then choose the character or characters you’re playing to load the appropriate lines. Scene Partner can present just your lines, just your cues, both together, or every line in the scenes you’re in, depending on your preference. Tap the “Play” button to hear your lines read aloud, either by an electronic voice, or fellow cast members who’ve recorded them into the app. There are two arrow buttons to move to the following and previous scenes, or another button to repeat what you’ve just heard. Scene Partner is incredibly intuitive and easy to use.

Unfortunately, it’s also fairly limiting, if you want to keep the cost low. Editing your script, including breaking it down into beats; reading the entire thing; highlighting sections of it; and adding voice memo notes are all extras in the Scene Partner Feature Pack, priced at $1.99 each or $4.99 if you buy them all together. Sick of the two default voices that read with you?  Seventeen others are available for $1.99 a pop—and they are many variations.  Keep in mind they are digitalized speech and sound pretty much sound like a robot.

Importing any script from any source to your device costs $1.99 again—even if you provide (or wrote) it yourself.   Basically you are going to be paying the Scene Partner folks for the privilege of using their software. The Dramatist Play Service scripts are also estimated to run about $10 per book.

Here is a link to a You Tube video about Scene Partner:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF9IU9dGTx8

30 Hands

iTunes rating:  ****1/2
My rating:       ****

I spent the morning finding out more about 30 Hands.  It is a collaboration tool that can be used a variety of ways.  Some of the features are (1) the easy to use interface that allows teachers to quickly create course outlines then drag and drop multimedia content into the course and organize it by topic.  (2) Ability to add outside resources to enhance student engagement (think Khan Academy, Sophia.org) (3)Capture lectures on video (4) Interactive discussions around course videos and presentations (5)School portfolios of blogs and wikis (6) can be used on any device (laptop, iPad, iPhone.)

The biggest educational application that I can see for use in my classroom is my flipped lessons.  North started flipping lessons last year and 7th grade is expected to be flipping most instruction this year.  Instead of students watching a PowerPoint, which has it's merits don't get me wrong, I can quickly--key point--create a presentation using slides of my own, slides from existing resources, or pictures from the web while recording audio.  It does not have a video draw feature like explain everything but it is so easy to record and upload I really didn't see it as an issue.  I also like that the videos can be downloaded to my camera roll, uploaded to the 30hands web cloud, or embedded onto a website like Edmodo.  Downloading it onto my camera roll isn't great since I don't seem to have a lot of memory on my iPad so I really like that feature.

Another great feature is how easy it is for students to create and upload projects using 30hands.  We use way too much paper is science and this application, given it can be used on all devices, is a perfect way for students complete projects and also show learning through quick formative assessments.  I was thinking students could map body systems so easily using 30hands.  They can download pictures from the web, or one that I provide, and talk/diagram the system we are working on.  Then they just upload their assessment to 30hands and provide the URL to me by email (a prompt the student will get after clicking export.)

Another really cool suggestion for use with 30hands is spoken flashcards!  How great would this be for our ELL or sped kids who struggle with vocabulary/pronunciation...I love this!

30 hands looks a lot like Edmodo in that you can list your classes and import student names.  There is a grade book, and students can submit their work online.  Classes can also be broken into modules so, for example, when we start body systems I can break down my class into circulatory system, digestive system, and so on.

I plan to use this a lot this year.  It is user friendly, the product is easy to create and assess, and it can be easily differentiated.  I only wish students could type onto slides instead of just writing as many of my kids have very messy handwriting.  They will be able to use the audio feature so maybe it won't be as much of an issue.

Subtext

Subtext is a user- friendly app that can help engage readers.  It is relatively easy to launch and navigate for students and teachers.  The level of critical thinking about the text depends on what the teacher embeds in the text as far as questions, quizzes, and annotating requirements.  This app allows for lots of differentiation as well since students can leave comments and questions as they read.  This also allows students to track a particular idea or character as they read which could be good prep work for a final assessment. The built in dictionary is very helpful for all levels.  As far as a motivational tool, this app will increase interest as the teacher can add content ( imagine a map of the route Robert Walton took to discover a path through the North Pole or a video of the area today) to pull in readers.  Assessment can occur throughout the reading with something as simple as thumbs up or down for understanding at the end of a chapter or a quiz at the end of a section.  Students can annotate as they read as well. The app also provides a way for students to respond to a question without seeing the other responses until they submit their own. The user does need to create an account but it is a google log in so all CISD learners already have that component. 

Since there are some free books available through the app, high school or middle school teachers working with classics may find them on the app.  I found both Frankenstein and Scarlet Letter there, so my students will be able to read the same edition and be able to jump to any place in the text easily.  I can go in and add all the content I want, from pictures of North Pole exploration to a map to show the Orkney Islands where Dr. Frankenstein created the second creature, before they even begin reading.  Quizzes and reading checks can be added wherever necessary and then I can read along with the students on the schedule to answer questions as they arise or clear up confusion or let them know that confusion at this particular point is okay. 

Some helpful resources for Subtext are listed below:

Vimeo.com/39460409

www.bpsedtech.org/2013/03/27/subtext-app-update/

Hollyclark.net/2013/03/10/5-reasons-I-love-the-subtext-app/

Vimeo.com/readwithsubtext/videos (links to individual videos about smaller topics like "student view" or "annotating"

Learnist

The 'Learnist' app is generally appropriate for 8th-12th grades. The user should be aware, however, that advertising pop ups do appear.(some may not be appropriate for younger viewers.)

Learnist acts as a magnet that pulls in Internet website publications on major topics that the user has specified. It draws from videos, ebooks, maps, blogs, Wikipedia articles, YouTube, BBC, and assorted web pages.

It requires opening an account. The user can learn from others. Action options involve 'sharing', 'commenting', and 'following'.

Its primary intent is to offer additional research to be read and studied. It should prove to be inspirational and encourage users to delve even deeper into the subject matter.

Instructions for use can be found on YouTube.

Example: For the topic of history, these articles were some of the offerings-Transportation in the 1800's, Meiji Restoration, Columbian Exchange, Music in 1800's, and Timelines for History.

NearPod

It's an all-in-one solution for the use of mobile devices in education: presentations, motivation and assessment. 

User Friendliness - You will want to purchase an upgraded account.   Yes, quite user friendly.  Learners just need a session PIN number.

Critical Thinking - Learners can create interactive presentations.

Differentiation - It can be synchronized with the class or self-paced.  I must mention that if you want this self-paced feature, you will need to purchase "a Gold Account".

Motivation - Learners can be engaged in class or at home.  (Upgraded account needed for home use)

Assessment / Reporting - Educators can assess student's work with simple reporting tools (polls, quizzes, etc.). Reports can be generated.

Account - The Educator will need to create an account.  The student signs in with a nickname/ID and a session PIN.

Educational Application - You or your learners can post presentations, take polls and quizzes for assessment purposes, draw it - makes sketches for creative purposes, Q & A, videos, share web pages and for homework (self-paced). 

Appropriate Age Range - All Grade Levels

Enhance / Redesign the App - Make it where you didn't have to upgrade the account to have the full educational benefit.

Others App Rate - 4 1/2 stars

My App Rate - 5 stars

ShowMe

Recommended age range: all ages

Rating of App in iTunes: 3.5

My rating of this App: 4 (would have given it a 5 if I was able to add comments to learner created presentations)

User Friendliness (Can the learner launch and navigate the app independently?):  Very simple to use. Not a lot of complicated toolbars to navigate. Only drawback is once a presentation has been recorded, the creator can go back to edited presentation without starting over.

Critical Thinking: (does it allow for critical thinking?-applying, analyzing, evaluating, creating): yes. Learner could demonstrate mastery of concepts/topics by creating presentation.

Differentiation (Is flexibility available to meet learner's needs?): Learner can view presentation as many times as needed. Can pause, stop and rewind presentation. Can also search and view other show mes that have already been posted to site if he/she needs another presentation style.

Motivation (Will learner's be motivated and engaged while using this app?): Easy to use. Learner's will be more engaged it's your voice & it's happening step-by-step.

Assessment/Reporting (Does the app provide a product or outcome that can be assessed?): No-teacher cannot add comments directly to presentation once it has been created. Would need to do it separately by using different method.

Account (Does the app need an account): Yes-but it's free.

How could you use this app in your classroom?: I like the way you can create a step-by-step how to presentation to explain difficult concepts like balancing equations and how to set up stoichiometry problems. The presentation can be as long or short as you need. There's no time limit like on the free version of screen-cast-o-magic.

Reflect on one experience you could redesign or enhance using this app. I could use ShowMe to demonstrate how to measure with lab equipment using proper techniques since I can insert pictures into presentation from my library or take pictures while I'm creating presentation. The learners would always have access to the video if I upload to my website or to YouTube.

Did you find another helpful video or resource to help explain this app? On YouTube there's another short video called ShowMe Interactive Whiteboard by iPadagogy.

Kibits

Kibits is a collaborative app that allows you to create private, secure collaboration rooms and share almost any type of media—files, photos, videos, links, locations, notes, and more—in real-time. Each Kibits Collaboration room includes integrated chat and task management, so you and your team can keep everything you need in one automatically-organized place. The app works seamlessly with many "cloud services" (including Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote, iCloud, and your email inbox).

Kibits seems to be very user friendly - although, when used on the iPad, must be doubled in size as it is only an iPhone app right now (no big deal!). The navigation menu within the app is very simple, which would make it easy for any learner to navigate. Kibits is mainly used for collaboration and communication, although critical thinking can come into play throughout the collaborative experiences. Kibits seems to be pretty simple to set up and could be differentiated through the different settings available.

I can see this app being very engaging, as it encourages active participation from all group members involved.  An educator/facilitator could be a part of the collaborative room and assess learner contributions within the room.

Learners and educators would have to create an account with Kibits. The good news: Kibits is web-based as well! YAY! Your login will work on any device that can access the web OR any iDevice with the app downloaded.  You can get more information by going to the website www.kibits.com

This app would be a great tool to have when learners are collaborating on a project together.  The educator can also be a part of these collaborative groups as a facilitator during a learning experience.

I would give kibits 3.5 out of 5 stars (the App Store has a 4.5/5 rating!). My reasoning for this: GREAT TOOL (no complaints on the functionality!), but you can only create 4 rooms under one account before you are required to "upgrade" ($$).  Also, I would prefer an iPad version (not just an iPhone interface that I have to double in size).

Check out this youtube user's videos for quick how-to's on Kibits! http://www.youtube.com/user/flickto?feature=watch

Blog Post Information

Showcase at least one app using the guidelines below. Create a new blog post about the app(s) you choose.

• Embed an image & give a brief description of the app.
• User Friendliness:
• Can the learner launch and navigate the app independently?
• Critical Thinking:  
• Does it allow for critical thinking? (applying, analyzing, evaluating, creating)
• Differentiation:
• Is flexibility available to meet learner’s needs?
• Motivation:
• Are learners motivated and engaged while using the app?
• Assessment/Reporting:
• Does the app provide a product or outcome that can be assessed?
• Does the app need an account?
• How you could use it? (educational application)
• Did you find another helpful video or resource to help explain this app? (optional)
• suggestions: YouTube, SchoolTube, etc
• create a video that you could use with learners to show them
• Appropriate age range that the app?
• Reflect on one experience you could redesign or enhance using this app.
• How do others rate this app?
• How do you rate this app? (1-5 stars, 1 being the lowest & 5 being the highest)