Sarah Jessie

App Review Written Component

Literacy 630
July 1, 2016

App 1: EPIC!

App
EPIC!- A digital library
app for student use
within the classroom.
Students have access to
hundreds of texts
digitally.

ILA

ISTE

KTS6

This app meets ILA1.2,

Candidates understand
the historically shared
knowledge of the
profession and changes
over time in the
perceptions of reading
and writing
development, processes,
and components. This is
demonstrated through
the recognition that
students need to meet
new literacy skills in
accessing digital texts (a
new type of nonfiction
text features). This app
gives students this
opportunity. Also, ILA
2.3, Candidates use a
wide range of texts (e.g.,
narrative, expository,
and poetry) from
traditional print, digital,
and online resources, is
met as students are using
a wide range of texts
(nonfiction, fiction,
graphic novels, etc.) in a
digital format.

EPIC represents ISTE

Standard 3.b and c
Research and
information fluency:
students apply digital
tools to gather, evaluate,
and use information.
b. Locate, organize,
analyze, evaluate,
synthesize,
and ethically use
information from a
variety of
sources and media
c. Evaluate and select
information. EPIC! Has
proven to most
beneficial in research as
it provides students with
another outlet to gather
information. Students
must still locate,
organize, analyze,
synthesize, and ethically
use these sources. They
must also evaluate which
information they do and
do not need to use for
their purpose.

KTS 6.2 (Uses available

technology to implement
instruction that
facilitates student
learning) is represented
as students are able to
use apps on a daily basis
and may be integrated
into daily instruction
through read-to-self
opportunities and
research in writing.

EPIC! is a free digital library of quality text that is available to your students in the classroom. This app is
appropriate for grades K-5 in both reading and writing. Teachers may set up a classroom account, which
gives students access to hundreds of texts on a digital device (including a large variety of nonfiction).
Students select their age and interests and EPIC! suggests texts for them. Other texts have a "Read to Me"
option so that students may follow along. Students may also rate the books they read and earn "badges" as
they read. This app is great for individual reading time as well as for research projects. Students do have
to pay for access to the App if they would like to access it at home.

App 2: SeeSaw

App
SeeSaw- A digital
portfolio app for
students to submit and
share their work with
their teacher, parents,
and peers.

ILA

ISTE

KTS6

This app meets ILA 2.2,

candidates use
appropriate and varied
instructional
approaches, including
those that develop word
recognition, language
comprehension,
strategic knowledge,
and reading-writing
connections. This is
evident as students have
opportunities to explain
their thinking in varying
formats, which meets
multiple learning styles
and provides a variety of
ways to demonstrate
their understanding.
Students can retell a
story to show
comprehension, receive
feedback from the
teacher, parents, and
peers to develop their
writing and review their
content in an engaging
way to improve their
assignments and make
strategic decisions.

SeeSaw represents ISTE

standards 2.a, b, and d;
Communication and
collaboration, a.
Interact, collaborate,
and publish with peers,
experts, or others
employing a variety of
digital environments and
media b. Communicate
information and ideas
effectively to multiple
audiences using a
variety of media and
formats d. Contribute to
project teams to produce
original works or solve
problems. Students have
the opportunity to
communicate and
collaborate with peers,
teachers, and guardians
through this app. Also,
ISTE 1. a and b,
Creativity and
innovation- a. Apply
existing knowledge to
generate new ideas,
products, or processes
b. Create original works
as a means of personal
or group expression, as
students create and
submit original work
through this app.

KTS 6.2 (Uses available

technology to implement
instruction that
facilitates student
learning) is represented
as students are able to
use apps on a daily basis
and may be integrated
into daily instruction to
demonstrate their
understanding in all
subject areas.

SeeSaw is a free digital portfolio tool for students that is appropriate for all grade levels, but is
especially beneficial for primary grades. Teachers simply create an account, set up a class, and then
provide students with the QR Code to login. From there, students may submit photos, videos,
drawings, images from camera roll, notes, and links. Teachers and students alike may provide

feedback on submitted items. Parents may also be added to the app so that they may see work
their child is completing at home. This is great for many content areas. Students could record their
reading, explain their thinking through a math problem, post written work for feedback from peers
and teacher, among many other endless possibilities.
App 3: 30 Hands
30 Hands is a free, simple, presentation tool for students to use in all grade levels, but specifically
for primary grades. Its simple design makes it easy to use for younger students. Students may
draw an image or import documents to create a multi-slide presentation. Then, students may
record audio to go along with each slide. This is great way to communicate understanding for all
content areas. I have found this especially helpful in tasks such as retelling, digital storybook
writing, book talks, and character traits.

App

ILA

ISTE

KTS6

30 Hands- A
presentation tool where
students are able to
record a slide show with
pictures, drawings, and
audio.

This app meets ILA 2.2,

candidates use
appropriate and varied
instructional
approaches, including
those that develop word
recognition, language
comprehension,
strategic knowledge,
and reading-writing
connections. This is
evident as students have
opportunities to explain
their thinking in varying
formats, which meets
multiple learning styles
and provides a variety of
ways to demonstrate
their understanding.
Students can retell a
story to show
comprehension, receive
feedback from the
teacher, parents, and
peers to develop their
writing and review their
content in an engaging
way to improve their
assignments and make
strategic decisions.

30 Hands represents
ISTE 1 a and b,
Creativity and
innovation- a. Apply
existing knowledge to
generate new ideas,
products, or processes
b. Create original works
as a means of personal
or group expression, as
students create and
submit original work
through this app to
demonstrate
understanding through
presentations and audio
recordings.

KTS 6.2 (Uses available

technology to implement
instruction that
facilitates student
learning) is represented
as students are able to
use apps on a daily basis
and may be integrated
into daily instruction to
demonstrate their
understanding in all
subject areas.

App 4: Post-it Plus

Post-it Plus is a free app that is a great sorting tool for students to utilize. I have had the most
success with this app in primary grades, but this could be utilized in a variety of grade levels and
content areas. Students or teachers may take a picture of a group of post-it's and these post its are
then transformed into a digital format. This allows students to move the post-it's around the
screen into categories or groups. This has been a great tool for word sorts, sound sorts,
brainstorming, exit slips, and overall collaboration, especially in a station or small group format.

App

ILA

ISTE

KTS6

Post-it Plus- This app

allows the user to take a
photo of a group of postits and manipulate by
sorting them into groups,
adding additional postits, or deleting post-its.

This app meets ILA 2.2,

candidates use
appropriate and varied
instructional
approaches, including
those that develop word
recognition, language
comprehension,
strategic knowledge,
and reading-writing
connections. Post-it Plus
shows this specifically
as students could
develop word
recognitions and phonics
strategies through word
sorts and vocabulary
sorts on the app. This is
a varied approach that
can interact with
different types of
learners and allow them
time to manipulate and
digest the information in

Post-it Plus represents

ISTE standards 2.a, b,
and d; Communication
and collaboration, a.
Interact, collaborate,
and publish with peers,
experts, or others
employing a variety of
digital environments and
media b. Communicate
information and ideas
effectively to multiple
audiences using a
variety of media and
formats d. Contribute to
project teams to produce
original works or solve
problems. Students are
able to work together to
brainstorm and they can
share boards with one
another. Also, students
can continue to add on to
a group brainstorming

KTS 6.2 (Uses available

technology to implement
instruction that
facilitates student
learning) is
demonstrated through
student use of the app to
manipulate and organize
the written ideas in a
format that is mobile.
This tool enhances
learning that is already
taking place by adding
engagement,
convenience, and
opportunities to
collaborate.

a new way.

session with their small

group, by taking a
picture with the app and
adding more to it or
reorganizing as
necessary together.

App 5: Aurasma
Make everyday items come to life with this augmented reality tool. Aurasma is a free app that
allows teachers (and students) to essentially make any image or item a QR code. When the image
or item is scanned, information (often in the form of a video) appears in its place. This could be in
any grade level with any content. This tool is excellent for vocabulary, research, review, and has
many other possibilities within the classroom. This is such an engaging way to interact with your
students.

App

ILA

ISTE

KTS6

Aurasma- This app is an

augmented reality tool.
This means, students can
direct their device at a
specified object and
receive (or present)
information in a layered
format (i.e. come to
life!)

This app meets ILA 2.2,

candidates use
appropriate and varied
instructional
approaches, including
those that develop word
recognition, language
comprehension,
strategic knowledge,
and reading-writing
connections. As well as
ILA 2.3, Candidates use
a wide range of texts
(e.g., narrative,
expository, and poetry)
from traditional print,
digital, and online
resources. Students are
accessing and presenting
a wealth of information
in a digital format. Each

I believe Aurasma can

meet many, if not all of
the ISTE standards.
However, I feel that its
potential lies within
ISTE 1, creativity and
innovation, a, b, and c;
Students demonstrate
creative thinking,
construct knowledge,
and develop innovative
products and processes
using technology. a.
Apply existing
knowledge to generate
new ideas, products, or
processes b. Create
original works as a
means of personal or
group expression c. Use
models and simulations

KTS 6.1 (Uses

technology to plan and
design instruction) is
evident through the use
of Aursama as teachers
create interactive
learning of materials
through the app. Also,
KTS 6.2 (Uses available
technology to implement
instruction that
facilitates student
learning) is
demonstrated through
student use of the app to
both access and present
information.

of the above concepts

may be addressed and
interacted with using this
tool. Also, a variety of
texts can be linked to
and accessed using
Aurasma. In a sense, it is
combining print and
digital sources in
allowing print sources to
become interactive.

to explore complex
systems and issues.
Through Aurasma,
students are able to
create products in a new
format that goes beyond
simply digital and
simply print.
Information may be
presented in nearly
limitless ways to share
understanding.

TPACK

Teachers play a significant role, if not the most significant role, in the success of student
achievement each day. By intentionally incorporating apps to enhance instruction, teachers are
pushing students and preparing them for a digital world. Hutchison, Beschorner, and SchmidtCrawford (2012) make it a point to caution teachers to consider whether the tool could be
effectively used for curricular integration rather than technological integration. The research
leading to this caution showed success in literacy growth when instruction was paired
successfully with technology, rather than just an add-on. Apps have the opportunity to make
enhance student learning as well. This is done when teachers have content knowledge and are
aware of their curricular goals. Then, teachers are able to decide in what ways they hope to
engage students and present and/or involve students with the curriculum. Finally, considering
the technology portion of TPACK, teachers strategically choose technology to integrate into the
lesson that will build both academic goals and new literacy skills. Many of the apps available
allow this opportunity, when used in a way that keeps these three frameworks equally in mind.

References
Hutchison, A., Beschorner, B., & Schmidt-Crawford, D. (2012) Exploring the use of the iPad in

literacy learning. The Reading Teacher, 66(1), 15-23.