Apps

Nowadays, millions of "apps" or online applications are available to teachers for downloading. While some apps cost a fee, many are free. They can be found at the iOS App Store for Apple devices or at the Google Play Store for Android devices. 

Some apps have been widely adopted by teachers due to their potential for engaging students in active learning. The following are 10 of my favorite.

 

Name

Function

Educreations 

Create video lessons. Tutorial

Kahoot 

Create quizzes/games. Tutorial

Lino 

Create a virtual wall for posting notes, pictures, & video. Tutorial

Poll Everywhere

Create polls, wordles, & surveys. Tutorial

Quizizz

Create quizzes & reviews. Tutorial

Quickmark 

Create & scan QR codes. Tutorial

Socrative 

Create formative assessments, exit tickets, & quizzes. Tutorial

ShowMe

Create video tutorials using a whiteboard. Tutorial

Slido

Create quizzes & polls Tutorial

Voki

Create talking avatars. Tutorial


Peruse the 55 Best Free Education Apps for iPad at the te@chthought website.

Explore the best education apps for Android.

EVALUATING APPS

The infusion of apps in classroom activities also requires teachers to evaluate them. 

Evaluating apps requires teachers to answer "yes" to a number of questions:

  • Is the app free of charge?
  • Does it include advertisements?
  • Is it easy to use?
  • Is it visually appealing?
  • Does it have a help feature or tutorial?
  • Can it support the attainment of learning objectives?
  • Does it promote interaction and collaboration?
  • Does it foster critical thinking?
  • Does it provide feedback?
  • Does it track students’ login and activity history? 

In addition, teachers can use pre-made checklists for evaluating apps. Examples include Kathy Shrock’s evaluation instruments for content-based apps and creation apps.

REFERENCES

2Minute Teacher Tech. (n.d.). [Video file]. Quizizz review and tutorial: A better Kahoot? Retrieved from https://youtu.be/MgT4VNyXwrc

Classroom Tech Made Simple. (2018). How to use the app Socrative teacher/student. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/phD4qeQzgSs

Evgenii Permiakov. (2020). Teaching apps that actually work. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/1gSjx0SkfzE

Fryer, W. 2012). ShowMe iPad app tutorial. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/dezSts90XA4

Hack Learning.(2012). How to use Lino. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTLYxmrNATs

Hindy, J. (2018).10 best teacher apps for android. Retrieved from https://www.androidauthority.com/best-teacher-apps-android-584742/

Kahoot! (2018). How to create a quiz (a kahoot) in the Kahoot! App. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfPH4GEo600

Learning in Hand with Tony Vincent. (2012). Ways to evaluate educational apps. Retrieved from https://learninginhand.com/blog/ways-to-evaluate-educational-apps.html

Oddcast App Admin. (2019). Official Voki tutorial: How to create your voki. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Tsv8I7XpVMY

QuickMark App. (2012). QuickMark Color: How to create a colorful QR code.[Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/MasO98vi9uc

Shrock, K. [n.d.]. Kathy Shrock’s guide to everything: Critical evaluation of information. Retrieved from https://www.schrockguide.net/critical-evaluation.html

Slido. (2020).How to create your first Slido event. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/aDqWA7E-uYE

te@achthought. (2013). 55 best free education apps for iPad. Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/apps-2/the-55-best-best-free-education-apps-for-ipad/

Technology for Teachers and Students. (2017). Poll Everywhere tutorial. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/469WNkd_BqY

woodfordSTLP. (2012). iTutor: Educreations app. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/oer20QtZdMo


Information from this post may be used provided credit is given to Dominique Charlotteaux 

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