What is hAPPening in EdTech? 

With the click of a button or the swipe of a screen, students are given access to many valuable resources. Since the pandemic, we have seen a tremendous spike in technology usage; particularly with the use of mobile devices and applications. Educational apps have brought on a new means for students (and parents and guardians) to stay connected to learning and the school community. In daily instruction, educational apps are being used to improve accessibility, student and teacher communications, and student mobility.  

How Educational Apps Can Improve Student Engagement 

Communication  

Waiting for a handwritten note or phone call can become a thing of the past. Many districts now use communication apps such as ClassDojo, Schoology, PowerSchool, Infinite Campus, and Seesaw for immediate collaboration and interactions. These tools can be great resources for parents and guardians to check on student progress, attendance, and even chat with their child’s teacher. Some applications even filter out contact information, so parents and teachers never have to exchange their direct phone number to chat.  

Individualized Learning  

Apps can be beneficial for direct lesson delivery. Students can receive information at the same time while still having their individual learning levels addressed. These forms of educational apps can be segmented so students are not allowed to progress until they have mastered the previously reviewed curriculum. As another bonus, some educational applications can be placed in folders on devices for a tiered learning approach.  

Improved Skills 

Much like learning, the more students become familiar with a skill, the more likely they are to achieve academic success. This can be remarkably similar regarding educational applications. We have heard the term that practice makes perfect. When students use educational applications on a regular basis, they improve their digital literacy skills and gain a sense of ownership for their student choice in learning.  

Privacy 

There are some applications that provide student learner support based on the user’s social, emotional, and/or developmental skills. With this support, educational apps can provide individual log in information that can help educators focus on their direct instruction without sharing the student’s individual success with their peers. In fact, there are some applications that allow students to select an avatar that is only identifiable by the student, the parent, and the child. Not only does this assist with student privacy but is also a notable feature to have when providing whole class review, on-demand lesson feedback, or for student engagement.  

Educational applications can be used in many ways to enhance the classroom learning environment, as well as virtual classrooms for the “on the go” learner as well as for the “away from home” learner. The four benefits we have laid out (communication, individualized learning, improved skills, and privacy) are just a few of the many benefits that students and educators will gain from incorporating mobile devices and apps into daily learning. 

Apps to Consider in Your District 

IXL is a resource that allows K-12 students to improve targeted skills with a full library of practice modules and visually appealing tasks. The program provides immediate feedback with content repetition for student retention.  

  • Chrome App: Yes  
  • Audience: K-12 
  • Cost: Free & Paid Versions (district subscription may be required)  
  • Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Website  

Canva is a tool that can help spark the imagination. This resource provides students (and teachers) with limited design experience, the ability to create content such as infographics, videos, flyers, social media ads, and much more. With over 500,000 customizable templates, Canva is a major source for creativity in the classroom. 

  • Chrome App: Yes  
  • Audience: K-12 (Educators and Student) 
  • Cost: Free & Paid Versions  
  • Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Website  

Equipped with a teacher dashboard to track student progress, codeSpark Academy is free for public school teachers, librarians, and verified non-profit educational institutions. This game is designed to teach students computer science and coding concepts. 

  • Chrome App: Yes  
  • Audience: K-5 
  • Cost: Free 
  • Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Website  

PBS Kids provides an opportunity for students to explore innovative ideas and new worlds through television, digital media, and community-based programs. The platform includes educational games and videos with a parent resource center for at-home learning support.  

  • Chrome App: Yes  
  • Audience: K-2  
  • Cost: Free  
  • Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Website  

From interactive lessons and videos to gamification and activities, Nearpod is a robust platform for student learning. Educators can use Nearpod’s integration with Microsoft’s Immersive Reader, Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, Microsoft Teams, and so much more. 

  • Chrome App: Yes  
  • Audience: K-12  
  • Cost: Free & Paid Versions (district subscription may be required)  
  • Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Website  

Quizziz is a free learning tool that allows teachers to conduct student-paced formative assessments in a fun and engaging way for students of all ages. Educators can choose from millions of teacher-created quizzes covering every subject or create their own. 

  • Chrome App: Yes  
  • Audience: K-12 
  • Cost: Free 
  • Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Website  

Khan Academy is a free website and educational app that includes more than 5,000 videos and 100,000 practice problems for K-12 math, with select topics in science, history, business, art history, and test preparation.  

  • Chrome App: Yes  
  • Audience: K-12 
  • Cost: Free
  • Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Website  

Book Creator is an intuitive tool for creating books. Students can embrace their creativity with the creation of comic books, journals, manuals, study guides and much more. Book Creator has been tested with Safari, Edge and Chrome browsers which can be a great resource for away from home learners. According to Book Creator, 98% of teachers say this technology tool has made a positive impact on their teaching. 

  • Chrome App: Yes  
  • Audience: K-12 
  • Cost: Free & Paid Versions (district subscription may be required)  
  • Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Website  

Immerse is an augmented reality tool that brings concepts to life in the palm of your hand. Students can explore scientific concepts while tackling difficult STEM processes and utilizing their multi-sensory aspects of learning. 

  • Chrome App: Yes  
  • Audience: K-12 
  • Cost: Free & Paid Versions 
  • Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Website  

From topics that kids love to read to inspiring a lifetime of reading and discovery, Epic! provides 40,000 books, audiobooks, and learning videos for your student’s digital library. Educators can get free access and parents can subscribe for a monthly cost. Featured in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, Epic! makes reading fun and available for your students. 

  • Chrome App: Yes  
  • Audience: K-12 
  • Cost: Free & Paid Versions
  • Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Website  

Planning Ahead 

As always, you will want to ensure the appropriate functionality and safety of use for all students before launching any applications. When selecting digital tools for your district, remember to check for user reviews, age-appropriate content, and software version needs for use. If your district has opted to use a particular mobile device, be it Chrome, Windows, or MacOS, it is a good rule of thumb to make sure your device is compatible for use prior to providing information on the availability of the resource.