Rachel Wadlow
Educational Technology Applications
Osmo Website: (https://www.playosmo.com/en/)
Subject area AND grade level the application or program would/can be used
Primary grades: Kindergarten through sixth grade
Subject area: English-Language Arts , Mathematics, Critical Thinking
Price for the application or program
This program has both free and paid applications on Apple Products or Fire tablets. It requires users to purchase Osmo cards with letters on them and a camera to attach to the Apple product or Fire tablet.
A description of the purpose of why the application or program may have been created
The program was created to engage learners in a fun, yet educational way. Osmo is a technology application that combines technology but also hands on experiences for children.
Benefits of using the application or program in the classroom
This program is a kid friendly visually and creates interactive lessons. Interactive lessons and games are based off of Common Core Standards in English-Language Arts.
Challenges of using the application or program in the classroom
Challenges of Starfall are that they students cannot create personal accounts, so progress on lessons and games cannot be saved.
Give a description of how you would personally use this application or program in your classroom
I could easily use this application during my literacy center or mathematics centers time. I could have this application on the tablets for students to use. I could also use this in classroom for interventions.
Rate the application or program (on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not worth my time to 5 being this is wonderful)
I would rate this application as a four on the scale.
After giving the application or program a 1-5 rating, explain your reasoning why you chose your particular rating and explain whether or not you see yourself further exploring or using the application or program after this class assignment.
I know students would enjoy this application and I would love to explore Osmo. However, the price of the application and the extra added expenses for the application extensions are a downfall. However, I really like how Osmo incorporates hands on experiences with technology.
Subject area AND grade level the application or program would/can be used
Primary grades: Kindergarten through Fifth Grade
Subject area: Mathematics
Price for the application or program
This is a website that has a free and paid version. It is also available as an application for Apple products, Android products, and as a Chrome application.
A description of the purpose of why the application or program may have been created
Xtra Math Review is a mathematics fluency program. Teachers can give a placement pre-assessment and based on student achievement; learners can practice rote mathematics facts.
Benefits of using the application or program in the classroom
A major benefit of Xtra Math review is that students can have individual accounts and practice on their own level.
Challenges of using the application or program in the classroom
Challenges of Xtra Math Review are that it is simply rote memory fact review. This program is missing the engagement piece for students. Students will become bored with just rote memory skills.
Give a description of how you would personally use this application or program in your classroom
I could easily use this application during my literacy center time. I could have this application on the tablets for students.
Rate the application or program (on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not worth my time to 5 being this is wonderful)
I would rate this application as a two on the scale.
After giving the application or program a 1-5 rating, explain your reasoning why you chose your particular rating and explain whether or not you see yourself further exploring or using the application or program after this class assignment.
I think students would not enjoy this application. If the skills were put to an engaging game or even was visually appealing for children then I would rate it higher. However, my kindergarten students would get easily distracted and need more from this program. I could not see myself using Xtra Math in the classroom. Based on user reviews, this program is very useful for fact memorization. In kindergarten, I do not pressure fact memorization, but more of building a foundation for first grade to start memorizing facts. Maybe if I taught first grade this program would be useful, but not at my current teaching assignment.
Subject area AND grade level the application or program would/can be used
Primary grades: Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade
Subject area: English-Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies,
Price for the application or program
This program is has a free and paid version for Android, Apple products, and Kindle Fire
A description of the purpose of why the application or program may have been created
The program was created to engage learners in academic lessons. The program was meant to be interactive and enjoyable for the student.
Benefits of using the application or program in the classroom
This program is a kid friendly visually and creates interactive lessons. Interactive lessons and games are based off of Common Core Standards in English-Language Arts.
Challenges of using the application or program in the classroom
Challenges of Starfall are that they students cannot create personal accounts, so progress on lessons and games cannot be saved.
Give a description of how you would personally use this application or program in your classroom
I could easily use this application during my literacy center time. I could have this application on the tablets for students. I would like each student to work independently on a skills.
Rate the application or program (on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not worth my time to 5 being this is wonderful)
I would rate this application as a four on the scale.
After giving the application or program a 1-5 rating, explain your reasoning why you chose your particular rating and explain whether or not you see yourself further exploring or using the application or program after this class assignment.
I would like to try this application in the classroom, mainly because it seems child-friendly. I think my students would find this application engaging. Starfall has many options for ELA, Mathematics, Music, Phonics, and even Social Sciences practice to teach cultural holidays.
Subject area AND grade level the application or program would/can be used
Grade level: Kindergarten through sixth grade
Subject area: Mathematics
Price for the application or program
This program is free to try for Android and Apple products. However, you must pay to interact with the application more than a trial.
A description of the purpose of why the application or program may have been created
The purpose of the program was to engage students in mathematic lessons and practice number sense and mathematic foundations.
Benefits of using the application or program in the classroom
Benefits of Matific are that it is engaging and relevant to student growth. Educators also have the opportunity to assign specific lessons for differentiated lessons.
Challenges of using the application or program in the classroom
Matific does not automatically assign lessons after completion. The educator must manually assign lessons.
Give a description of how you would personally use this application or program in your classroom
Matific could be used for differentiation in mathematic lessons as not all students progress equally. Matific could also be used during interventions to reteach mathematic skills.
Rate the application or program (on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not worth my time to 5 being this is wonderful)
I would rate this 5.
After giving the application or program a 1-5 rating, explain your reasoning why you chose your particular rating and explain whether or not you see yourself further exploring or using the application or program after this class assignment.
Everything that I have gathered from this application seems to very worthwhile. I would enjoy piloting this program for my district and really delving into it. With all the resources it has to offer and the engaging aspect of it, I know my students would actually enjoy using this.
Subject area AND grade level the application or program would/can be used
Grade Level: Kindergarten through eighth grade
Subject area: Mathematics
Price for the application or program
This program has a free trial, but after trial is over user must pay for usage.
A description of the purpose of why the application or program may have been created
The program was created to engage learners in phonics and reading lessons. The program was meant to be interactive and enjoyable for the student.
Benefits of using the application or program in the classroom
This program is differentiated based on student success while using it. DreamBox conducts assessments during lessons to continually check student progress.
Challenges of using the application or program in the classroom
Challenges of Dreambox might be that it involves a lof of critical thinking skills. This is a great advantage, but also a downfall for students that struggle with these skills. Students should be able to practice the mathematic skills without the frustration. Again, not a major set back, just something to ponder on.
Give a description of how you would personally use this application or program in your classroom
I could use DreamBox while my students have computer lab. Since this program is differentiated, and it moves students to various levels, each student is learning and practicing skills independently.
Rate the application or program (on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not worth my time to 5 being this is wonderful)
I would rate this application as a three on the scale.
After giving the application or program a 1-5 rating, explain your reasoning why you chose your particular rating and explain whether or not you see yourself further exploring or using the application or program after this class assignment.
I think students would not only enjoy this application, yet it might be tricky for kindergarteners to navigate.
Subject area AND grade level the application or program would/can be used
Grade Level: Kindergarten through third grade
Subject area: Science
Price for the application or program
Where is My Water is $1.99 for Android, Apple products, Chromebooks, Nook, and Kindle tablets.
A description of the purpose of why the application or program may have been created
This is a game-based learning experience for learners. It incorporates critical learning with puzzles.
Benefits of using the application or program in the classroom
This program is a kid friendly visually and very inviting in appearance. Where is My Water allows for analytical thinking when solving the puzzles and games that the learner experiences.
Challenges of using the application or program in the classroom
The larges challenge of Where is My Water are that it does not align to any learning standards.
Give a description of how you would personally use this application or program in your classroom
Since Where is My Water, I would not be able to incorporate this in my classroom for learning purposes. Yet, I could allow my students to use this application if they earn something.
Rate the application or program (on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not worth my time to 5 being this is wonderful)
I would rate this application as a two on the scale.
After giving the application or program a 1-5 rating, explain your reasoning why you chose your particular rating and explain whether or not you see yourself further exploring or using the application or program after this class assignment.
Even though students would enjoy this, I could not use this for learning purposes. Therefore, I have to give it a lower rating. I am more likely to incorporate an application that students enjoy, but also aligns with learning standards.
Subject area AND grade level the application or program would/can be used
Grade Level: Pre-school through eighth grade
Subject area: Science, Social Studies
Price for the application or program
This is a free website
A description of the purpose of why the application or program may have been created
The program was created to engage learners in phonics and reading lessons. The program was meant to be interactive and enjoyable for the student.
Benefits of using the application or program in the classroom
This website allow students to view real life photos and read information that connects them with cultures around the globe.
Challenges of using the application or program in the classroom
Challenges of National Geographic Kids are that it incorporates a lot of reading. This is a benefit for some learners, yet a challenge for others. Lower readers may have troubles comprehending the text.
Give a description of how you would personally use this application or program in your classroom
I could incorporate National Geographic Kids in my classroom when teaching certain units. When students need real pictures of what other people around Earth or animals truly look like this would be useful.
Rate the application or program (on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not worth my time to 5 being this is wonderful)
I would rate this application as a four on the scale.
After giving the application or program a 1-5 rating, explain your reasoning why you chose your particular rating and explain whether or not you see yourself further exploring or using the application or program after this class assignment.
This is a website that I could actually use in the classroom for educational purposes. I would want to monitor what students are viewing and I think that might be challenging on this site, so that is one downfall.
Subject area AND grade level the application or program would/can be used
Grade Level: Kindergarten through eighth grade
Subject area: English-Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
Price for the application or program
This website is to try, but must pay for a subscription
A description of the purpose of why the application or program may have been created
The purpose of this website is to allow learners to research animals or people.
Benefits of using the application or program in the classroom
PebbleGo provides several texts about animals and biographies about people that students may be researching.
Challenges of using the application or program in the classroom
If I taught older grades, this may be more beneficial for my students, however in Kindergarten many students cannot read the texts that are provided. There is a text to speech option, however to get it, one must be able to read.
Give a description of how you would personally use this application or program in your classroom
I could use this when my students conduct their animal reports.
Rate the application or program (on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not worth my time to 5 being this is wonderful)
I would rate this a three on the scale.
After giving the application or program a 1-5 rating, explain your reasoning why you chose your particular rating and explain whether or not you see yourself further exploring or using the application or program after this class assignment.
This website would be useful but challenging for young readers. If visuals were presented next to difficult text if would create a more user-friendly site.
Subject area AND grade level the application or program would/can be used
Grade Level: Second grade-eighth grade
Subject: Science, Social Studies
Price for the application or program
This program is free for Android, Apple products, and Kindle Fire
A description of the purpose of why the application or program may have been created
The program was created to engage learners in social change and environmental health.
Benefits of using the application or program in the classroom
Benefits to this program are that it reinforces social skills and environmental health that might not receive as much instruction in the everyday classroom. The game also provides stories for students to follow and interact with, this creates an engagement piece.
Challenges of using the application or program in the classroom
A challenge to this program is that students are able to interact with the program, however they cannot create personal account to save work.
Give a description of how you would personally use this application or program in your classroom
I could personally use this to during interventions to reinforce social stories with certain students.
Rate the application or program (on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not worth my time to 5 being this is wonderful)
I would rate this application a three.
After giving the application or program a 1-5 rating, explain your reasoning why you chose your particular rating and explain whether or not you see yourself further exploring or using the application or program after this class assignment.
I would rate this application as a three because it offers an interactive piece, however students cannot save their work.
Subject area AND grade level the application or program would/can be used
Grade Levels: Kindergarten through twelfth grade
Subject area: English-Language Arts
Price for the application or program
This program is a paid subscription for Android, Apple products, and Kindle Fire
A description of the purpose of why the application or program may have been created
The program was created to engage learners in phonics and spelling lessons.
Benefits of using the application or program in the classroom
This program has many benefits. Teachers are allowed to create lists for vocabulary or spelling and students are using those words to play games and eventually master the spelling and/or meaning of text.
Challenges of using the application or program in the classroom
Challenges of Spelling City would be on the educator perspective. It appears as if it offers many options for students to practice or spiral review words. Going through all that this program offers might require training from someone that has more experience with it.
Give a description of how you would personally use this application or program in your classroom
I could incorporate this into my classroom during literacy centers. Since each student has different sight word goals, I could enter those into Vocabulary, Spelling City.
Rate the application or program (on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being not worth my time to 5 being this is wonderful)
I would rate this as a four on a scale.
After giving the application or program a 1-5 rating, explain your reasoning why you chose your particular rating and explain whether or not you see yourself further exploring or using the application or program after this class assignment.
Since this program is so extensive, and training might be required, I did not give this a five. Now, I do think that I could use this in my classroom quite easily. However, I would need to spend some time with it before.
