Stick Pick and GroupMaker

Reflection - I chose Stick Pick and GroupMaker as the two apps to review, but I also downloaded Timer+ and Decible 10th because I think I could also use those in my classes. I really like the Stick Pick app because it gives me an opportunity to randomly choose students and then it suggests question starters for discussions. I also chose the GroupMaker app. I was able to add students, group them randomly, choose individual students or choose groups. It also includes a timer and a sound meter, so it is really like 3 applications in one. Groups can be made randomly, or by gender, ethnicity, or abilities. 

     Both of these apps could be used throughout the day in many classroom settings. The Stick Pick app could be used in small groups, too. Students could do the questioning with the question starters so that the discussion can be student-led. The only drawback to these apps is related to the position that I am in. I see 22 classes a week. It will be very time consuming to enter a roster for all of my classes. Unless there is a way to import the student list from another file, I likely will not want to spend all of the time setting the classes up. 

Class Dojo

Reflection - Many teachers in our school use this app as a tool in the classroom. The students seem to respond very well when they know the teacher is monitoring their behavior. I would like an opportunity to use Class Dojo but I don't think that in my position it would be helpful to set up my own classes. I would like to find out how I can share the class with the classroom teacher. The "Invite Teachers!" button was not responding but I would like to be invited by the other classroom teachers to access their class and monitor the students' behaviors in my specials classes. I like that parents can log in and get a report about their child's behavior. This would help to determine when and what kinds of behaviors are occuring so that appropriate adjustments can be made by both students and the teacher. Behavior trends can be analyzed to see if the change in behavior started at the same time as a change in home life. It can also be used to support a behavior grade given on a report card. 

Remind

Reflection - The Remind app is an awesome tool for sending out group reminders. I have been a part of such a group with my son's cross country team. This is the first time that I saw it from the administrator's stand point. For my particular job as a specials teacher, I don't think the app would be particularly useful. If I need a message to get out to a certain class or grade, I send it through the classroom teachers. But I do think this app may be a good way to send messages out to my youth group. It's a great way to get the message out in a simple format without attaching personal phone numbers. The only downside I have experienced is that I have often felt a need to ask a clarifying question after the message is received but I don't have that option. As the sender of the message, I could see where that might also be a problem.