Apps to Download
Below you will find a list of apps I recommend (but do not require) downloading on personal phones and/or tablets for this school year. All of the apps listed below are free to download and will never require in-app purchases.
As the year progresses, I'm sure awesome new apps will be brought to my attention. If it seems there are more apps worth the coveted storage space on students' phones (we have to leave at least 140 MB available for Fortnite, of course), I'll post them here.
Google Classroom
We'll use Google Classroom a lot this year, mainly to access, submit and receive feedback on digital assignments and projects. Downloading the Google Classroom app on your phone or tablet will allow you stay logged-in to the site so that you can bypass the WCPSS log-in screen every time you need to access Classroom. Also, it will allow you to subscribe to push notifications alerting you of any postings or returned graded assignments.
Class Codes to Join:
Core 1 Core 2 Core 3 Core 4
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Google Drive (and multiple Google Suite apps)
Students will do a lot of writing using Google Docs this year and create and view slideshows using Google Slides. Downloading the Drive, Docs and/or Slides apps is not necessary, but it will make it easy for students to access their Google-based documents when away from a computer (and some students actually enjoy working on a phone more than a computer).
Our use of Google Docs and Slides will often require students to collaborate with peers to draft, edit and revise their work. In such cases, students will use Google Drive to create, access and share documents with group members and peers. The Google Suite of apps, all of which use students' WCPSS student log-ins, will be at the heart of our classroom collaboration.
Outlook (WCPSS Student Email and Calendar)
All WCPSS students have an email account through Microsoft Outlook. Students can access their WCPSS student email account through the WakeID Portal. However, students can bypass the WakeID Portal by downloading the Outlook app and completing the one-time initial account setup within the app. A major benefit of downloading the app is the ability to subscribe to push notifications so that students will be notified of all incoming email, not to mention the convenience and speed with which they can send email to peers and teachers.
Quizizz (For graded unit vocabulary practice)
Students will not complete vocabulary worksheets on paper this year; instead, we will use Quizizz to facilitate vocabulary practice. Students will be given a list of works for a specific week and/or unit, and they will have a designated period of time to take practice quizzes on the app/website. Students can take the practice quizzes as many times as necessary to receive their desired grade (it should be a 100!). The highest grade they have earned on a given practice quiz by the specified due date for that week/unit will be entered into the grade book as a minor assessment grade.
Kahoot!
We will occassionally use Kahoot! to study vocabulary and prepare for assessments. Sometimes we'll play Kahoot! in class, but students can also compete with classmates outside of school using the Kahoot! app. I will often post a Kahoot! Challenge code on Google Classroom as a tool students can utilize to prepare for an assessment; however, that Kahoot! Challenge game can only be accessed within the phone or tablet app. Basically, to play Kahoot! in class, no app is required; to utilize Kahoot! outside of school, however, you'll need the app.