4 Great Rubrics to Help you Select Educational Apps

Math Ref Free Ways to Evaluate Educational Apps I am conducting a series of workshops in Florida and was asked to share a rubric to help teachers evaluate educational apps as part of the workshop. In 2010 Harry Walker developed a rubric, and I used his rubric (with some modifications by Kathy Schrock) as the basis for mine. (Read Harry Walker's paper Evaluating the Effectiveness of Apps for Mobile Devices.) I kept in mind that some apps are used to practice a discrete skill or present information just one time. Others are creative apps that a learner may use again and again, so it's a challenge to craft a rubric that can be used for a wide span of purposes. My rubric also emphasizes the ability to customize content or settings and how the app encourages the use of higher order thinking skills. Here's what I chose to spotlight in my rubric: Relevance The app’s focus has a strong connection to the purpose for the app and appropriate for the student Customization Feedback Student is provided specific feedback Thinking Skills Engagement Sharing

Great App Review Checklists for Teachers The more apps I review here in Educational Technology and Mobile Learning the better I become at recognizing and selecting the right educational apps to share with you. I have probably reviewed a little over 200 apps in the last couple of years but when I first started reviewing apps there were not many guidelines and checklists as is the case now. With the help of carefully crafted rubrics like the ones below, teachers can now follow a set of guidelines to select the apps that can work for them in their teaching. Parents too can use these checklists to sift through the piles and handpick the ones to give their kids. It is of paramount importance that you keep apps evaluative rubrics at your disposal to turn to whenever you want to recommend an app for your students . 1- App Review Checklist and Rating Chart Click Here to download it 2- Educational App Evaluation Checklist Click Here to download it 3- Critical Evaluation of an Content-based iPad App Click Here to download it

Establishing Classroom Rules By Phil Nast, retired middle school teacher and freelance writer Found In: Classroom Management Appropriate behavior fosters a positive classroom environment. Engaging students on the first day of school in creating of a set of rules helps ensure their investment. The following professional development resources, articles, and activities offer different approaches to this common start of school task. Professional Development Welcome to Classroom Management Online Training (Grades K-5) Online classroom management program. Effective Classroom Practices (Grades K-12) This series of eight mini modules on essential classroom practices includes “Classroom Expectations and Rules.” Recommended Reading Establish Rules & Consequences Provides PDF versions of guidelines for crafting effective rules, elementary and secondary consequences that work, and a plan to teach and invest students in rules and consequences. Everyday Rules That Really Work! Establishing Classroom Rules and Consequences (

WordWeb Dictionary Lecture Engagement System | LectureTools LectureTools is a web-based presentation tool that minimizes distractions in the classroom. Upload presentations to improve student engagement, attentiveness, and participation during lecture by providing students with an interactive learning environment. Students become organized and engaged in your presentation, all while learning from their peers. It's a lecture engagement system like you've never seen. Presentation Tool Present and create interactive slideshows. LectureTools allows you to import any existing PowerPoint® slideshow and enhance your presentation with interactive activities. Learn more about the Presentation Tool Student Inquiry Empower your students to ask questions. All too often, either your students are afraid to ask questions during lecture or there is simply no time to spare for Q&A. Learn more about the Student Inquiry Tool Student Response System Deliberately engage student laptops and cellphones. Learn more about the Student Response System Student Assessment

Examples of Formative Assessment When incorporated into classroom practice, the formative assessment process provides information needed to adjust teaching and learning while they are still happening. The process serves as practice for the student and a check for understanding during the learning process. The formative assessment process guides teachers in making decisions about future instruction. Here are a few examples that may be used in the classroom during the formative assessment process to collect evidence of student learning. Observations Questioning Discussion Exit/Admit Slips Learning/Response Logs Graphic Organizers Peer/Self Assessments Practice Presentations Visual Representations Kinesthetic Assessments Individual Whiteboards Laundry Day Four Corners Constructive Quizzes Think Pair Share Appointment Clock eHow: Types of Formative Assessment

Mobile Apps Featured: Pawsitive Change Smart Living Investing Streamlined eHow Mobile Apps Share Featured eHow App New Spark App Get inspired by the eHow community and spark your own projects on-the-go with the free Spark App for iPhone! Download Now eHow MobileNow for iPhone, iPad, and Windows mobile devices eHow is your source for expert tips and advice on topics spanning Home, Food, Money, Family, Health, Style and more. Get iPhone/iPad App Get Windows Mobile App 'Our School Would Be Better Off Without iPads.' We go on and on about iPads, tablets, phablets, and just about every other piece of technology out there. But the discussion is slowly changing. It’s becoming less and less about how to deploy as much technology as possible. Instead, the discussion is shifting (luckily) back over to effectively connecting with students. Check out the recent post by George Couros to see what I’m talking about. So that’s why it was interesting to see a comment pop up on a recent post here on Edudemic about iPads . The comment is below. NOTE: Since a teacher’s name and school was included in the comment, I thought it might be useful to remove any personal or identifying information from the comment before raising awareness of it. I get that iPads can help students learn and it can open up new opportunities to learn.