Apps in the Classroom

As we progress in allowing students to express their voices and choices, we have to think of new ways to engage students in learning.  One way that many teachers are combining voice, choice, learning, and technology is through the use of apps. 
 Not all apps are used for demolishing delicious, sugary confections.  While some apps are game based, many apps are now geared for education and advancing how people understand topics.  In the classroom, apps serve a variety of purposes.
The links provided will lead to different app recommendations.  By no means are these all the apps that educators are using or the only types of apps available.  I limited this list to discuss a few that I’ve used or that have been personally recommended to me




Communication Apps

• Remind (free) - This is by far one of my favorite communication apps.  Anyone can download the program.  In this case, I sign up to be the owner of an account and Remind acts as my personal messaging system.  I can send class reminders or individual reminders.  In addition, those that sign-up as users of my account can message me, reply to my messages, or react to my memos.  My most favorite part of this app is that it comes across my phone like a text message.  I do not have to go into the app to access my messages. The downfall, Remind limits how many characters you can use in a group message and does not include a behavior component.

• Hallr (free) - If Facebook and Remind had a baby, Hallr would be it.  Hallr is very similar to Remind in that it is a messaging system and allows you to communicate with different people within an organization.  With Hallr, you can sign up for different groups within a school.  If I were a parent with a 6th grade student, I could sign up to receive messages from all of my child's teachers, the volleyball coach, the PTA, and even the drama club sponsor.  On top of that, Hallr has a schedule (calendar) feature and news feed. The downfall, you must have the app to access 

Reading Apps

• Epic!   (free for educators)

Assessment Apps

• Popplet ($$) -  Popplet is an app that helps users produce a mind map (bubble map).  The app does come with a fee, however you can do a trial run on their website.  Essentially, a user starts with a topic and branches out from there.  Popplet allows you to customize your mind map using different colors, images, videos, and text.  The app does provide some previously created material, but also allows you to create your own.  In this instance, the possibilities of this app are endless.   The downfall, features of the mind maps are generated by clicks.  It takes a minute to get the hang of creating and editing material. 
• Kahoot (free) - Kahoot is an interactive learning tool that allows educators to find or make quizzes on any topic.  Students then use devices to respond to the questions.  After students respond to the questions, a graph of answers pulls up and allows you to analyze results.  Kids love this app, but the biggest downfall is that questions only represent multiple choice answers.

Google Apps & Tools

•  Google Hangouts (free) - Google Hangouts combines discussion boards, chat rooms, and video messaging.  Essentially, GH is a video conference call that allows you to communicate with others.  You can join an existing conversation or start your own.  The downfall, GH limits free video chatting to 10 people, but you can include up to 150 people in a chat.

STEAM Apps & STEAM Apps

• STEAM is taking over many classrooms.  I personally haven't used any of these apps.  However, if you're still looking for a way to integrate STEAM into your classroom, an app may be your starting point!