Apps that assist in education

Graphic design by Nadine Loureiro.

There is a variety of technological learning tools that are experimented with in the classroom. Every student has a unique learning style, almost all of their needs can be fulfilled with the help of educational apps. The app store has a multitude of options for students and teachers.

For communication there is the Remind app, which allows teachers to keep their students informed about upcoming tests, assignments, or classroom events. The school clubs on campus also utilize this app to maintain an open line of communication between each other.

“I like the ability to contact my students through Remind to update on changes or assignments,” science department chair, Jerry Bell states.

The need to review for tests is constant, especially in high school. Apps like Kahoot, Socrative Student, and Quizlet allow students to revisit the material before the lingering test day arrives. Kahoot often influences the excitement of students, it allows them to not only learn, but to have fun doing so, which is a complicated concept to grasp.

“Apps support content I teach as well as serve as formative assessments. Formative assessments give me feedback on my student’s progress,” Bell continues, “to see areas where I need to focus more instruction.”

There are many apps that even grade the tests given, which is definitely a positive and less time consuming for teachers.

“The only app that I use and that I find very useful for me as a teacher is the Zip Grade app. I can create tests/quizzes and keys,” English teacher, Penny Snyder, states, “the scanning function is efficient and accurate. I can also compare test results between classes, and analyze missed questions.”

Being able to compare test results between classes can mark what needs to be reviewed in some classes and avoided in the other, so that not every class has to relearn what they already know.

Technology can be a hard step to take, relying more on the internet is truly the most perfectly crafted paradox, it will benefit people immensely, but can also bring in negative ideologies.

“I think it’s probably if you look at it, it is the way we teach now, even textbooks use technology,” principal Dan Serrano notes, “cause if you tell the teachers I’m gonna take away your technology for a school year, I don’t know that that would go over well.”

It has become something that students and teachers alike depend on, without it, class would be noticeably different, the apps that are used and websites accessed help clear any confusion and benefit multiple areas.

The future remains unknown for education when it comes to technology, but from the steady increase in usage and growing reliance, the fact that remains institutionalized is the assurance that technology will continue to correlate with work in the classroom.