For many of us, deciding which applications to use in our library can be a struggle.

We want to make sure that we are following district protocols for requesting apps, ensure our students’ digital safety, and know that it’s even worth downloading!

What Makes a FREE App Worth Using?

There are some tools that I use right away with my students and others I may use later in the year.

The apps that I keep going back to are the ones that let me create a Personalized Learning environment and the ones that my students repeatedly request to use.

Engagement is key.

So if it is engaging then I am going to use it. This frees me up to facilitate more learning, coach students in skills, and discipline less!

Symbaloo Learning Paths

I have shared a lot about Symbaloo Learning Paths.

It is a great way for me to create personalized learning for my students that allows me and the students to monitor their progress. Great for all ages.

Empatico

Empatico is a great tool that connects classrooms.

They have activities designed to develop global awareness and can be used with children ages 6 – 13.

It is cool to see children learn about others and develop relationships.

My students have connected with other kids in Nigeria, Spain, Canada, and Florida. They love it!

Interland

Kids learn Digital Citizenship concepts, strategies, and skills in a gamified way.

Interland is Google’s Digital Citizenship game: Be Internet Awesome.

Plum’s Creaturizer

Plum’s Creaturizer allows kids to augment reality while applying science skills.

I use it frequently with my PreK students to have building their photo & listening skills.

PicCollage EDU

Those fun grids and frames you see on Instagram are made with some collage maker.

PicCollage EDU lets your students create their own.

This is great for creating visual reading lists, completing scavenger hunts, and more!

Chatterpix Kids

Developer Duck Duck Moose has some quite fun and cute apps, and Chatterpix is no exception.

This app lets kids create talking photos. What a great way to create book talks and other formative assessments!

Other Apps That I’ve Used & Loved

  • Podcasts are a great way for kids to learn and share idea. Synth is a perfect podcasting tool for classrooms.
  • My Kinders and First Graders are enjoying Typetastic as a way to learn how to type. It is free. They can level up on their own and they quickly learn the keyboard.
  • Ever watch those YouTube videos where the text just starts typing across the screen? This is exactly what VideoTyper does. It is a great formative assessment, and way to create poetry. My kids love it so much that they use it at home.
  • Want to create a mock text message? Texting Story is for you! You can create a text message sequence between two or more people, customize colors and avatars, then when you are done, turn it into a video. It looks like texting in real time!

Would love to hear which free apps are your must haves; share below!!!

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