Common apps teachers use in class
In addition to the programs referenced throughout the Going Online resource website, there are some other apps and programs that are commonly used in the classroom for content delivery as well as for assignments and assessments.
These apps boost engagement and highlight different ways students can show what they know and can do and offer different ways to interact with content and respond to prompts.
Kami
Kami is a program that allows teachers to create interactive assignments using PDF files. In a Kami assignment, students can edit and markup a PDF file as well as add media and different types of comments like text, voice, and video comments. Teachers can also leave different types of comments for student feedback. Kami is available for grades 2-12 and is generally used via Google Classroom assignments. Click the following link for the Kami Student Guide: Kami Student Guide. Students access Kami through the Kami extension and by signing in with Google.
Edpuzzle
EdPuzzle is a program that teachers use to share video assignments with students. It allows teachers to make their videos interactive by embedding questions and notes within the videos as students watch them. EdPuzzle is available for all grade levels and it also allows teachers to see how much of a video a student has watched so they can track student progress. Click the following link for the EdPuzzle Student Help Center: EdPuzzle Student Help Center. Students access EdPuzzle by signing in with Google.
WeVideo
WeVideo is a video editing program. Students have access to premium accounts by signing in with Google using their district accounts. In WeVideo they can record videos using their device webcam and they can record their screen. They can import videos and edit video projects from within the platform. WeVideo is web-based, which means they can access their video projects from any device by logging into WeVideo. Click the following link to access the WeVideo Help Center: WeVideo Help Center.
Pear Deck
Pear Deck is an interactive slides presentation program. It allows students to actively participate in any slides presentation and teachers can make any slides presentation into an interactive assignment. There are different ways students can engage with the slides and it can be with the whole class or individually. For an overview video from Pear Deck click on the following link: What is Pear Deck?
i-Ready
The i-Ready reading and math diagnostics (Fall, Winter and Spring) are adaptive tests. Students will get about 50% right and 50% wrong as it adjusts up and down to determine the student’s skill level for each area. We would advise that you talk with students about doing the best that they can on the test within reason – take a look at the question and attempt it but they shouldn’t spend a long time on an answer if they don’t know how to do it. Students should make their best guess and move on. The point of the assessment is to inform instruction and it won't be used for grades. For more information from i-Ready you can access their Family Support page at the following link: i-Ready Family Support. You can also click the following link for some assessment facts: i-Ready Assessment Fast Facts and click the following link for troubleshooting information: i-Ready Technical and Troubleshooting Guide for Families.