3.2: Incorporating Educational Apps into the Curriculum
- Page ID
- 27217
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Explore curriculum-specific educational apps and software.
- Identify sound pedagogy in educational applications and software.
Educational apps can provide engaging ways to enhance classroom teaching when thoughtfully incorporated into the curriculum. In this section, we will explore some strategies for integrating apps and designing app-based activities aligned to learning goals.
Integrating Apps into Teaching and Learning
When integrating apps into the classroom, educators should be thoughtful in their selection, alignment, and usage to effectively supplement instruction. Following best practices for incorporation, expectations, progress monitoring, and skill building will allow apps to enrich traditional learning as impactful tools for today's students.
When integrating apps, consider these following strategies:
- Match apps to curriculum standards and learning objectives. Select apps with content and skills that directly connect.
- Determine appropriate usage. Use apps for introduction to new content, reinforcement of skills, assessment, or expansion through enrichment.
- Blend app time with other activities. Strike a balance between app learning and traditional instruction.
- Set expectations. Provide guidelines for app use and learning goals to focus student effort.
- Monitor progress. Review student app metrics and usage to ensure proper alignment and effectiveness.
- Build technology skills. Teach students how to use apps proficiently first before integrating them into lessons.
Aligning Apps to Curriculum Goals
Picking apps that match what students are learning in class is crucial for success. Checking that apps fit your students' grade level, customize to their needs, and provide data to assess progress will ensure apps help students meet curriculum goals.
Review the following suggestions for ways that you can help ensure that you are aligning apps to the curriculum goals.
- Content covered in app? Selecting apps that teach/reinforce the same knowledge and skills addressed in current curriculum standards and learning goals.
- Grade level or age level? Matching app content to the grade level and abilities of your students. Seek age-appropriate challenges.
- Customization opportunities? Considering customization capabilities to personalize app content to individual student needs.
- Analytics and/or dashboard? Reviewing analytics from apps to assess if students are achieving curriculum goals based on performance data.
Figure 3.2.1: Software and App Alignment to Curriculum by Renee Albrecht. Licensed under CC BY.
Designing App-Based Activities
Apps can make lessons and tests more interesting when tied to learning goals. Students can use apps to reflect, play games, work in groups, or complete projects and assignments targeted to what they're studying. Here is a high level list of some ideas for creating engaging lesson and assessment ideas with apps.
- Design app-based assignments and projects, tied directly to learning objectives.
- Have students reflect on app experiences through journaling, discussion, or media creation.
- Use apps as centers or stations during classroom rotations.
- Create app-based educational games or competitions.
- Develop collaborative group activities with apps.
The following website contains pages and pages of ideas on integrating technology into lessons and activities.
Schrock, K. (2023) Kathy Schrock's Guide to Everything. https://www.schrockguide.net/