Mobile Learning: 6 Apps and Web Tools for Middle School Students
Using mobile devices in the classroom can be a great way to unlock and pique student interest.
Credit: Jared Andrew Schorr
Building vocabulary with a smartphone game? Frog dissection in science class without the mess? These are just a few ways mobile devices are changing how students grasp subjects.
With that in mind, here are six apps for middle school students from Edutopia's latest guide, Mobile Devices for Learning: What You Need to Know.
This application takes the genius and immediacy of texting and combines it with the power of social networking, allowing for instant out-of-classroom communication. Create a group for each class and you’ll be able to text everyone basic reminders, questions to ponder between lessons, and more. You can text via a Wi-Fi-connected device (cell phone, iPod touch, etc.), so students don’t have to pay for every text.
No more misplacing papers or presentations. Dropbox provides syncing and storage for users (up to 2 gigabytes worth is free, and it’s enough to store hundreds of written homework assignments and pictures). Files can be shared with a few clicks, making collaborating a breeze.
Word Joust
Students can go on knightly quests, do battle with trolls, and learn vocabulary words to win points. Kids can compare their performance with classmates.
As far as Web and app resources go, this one could be considered an old-timer, having been around since 1999. The app lets kids watch an educational movie on various humanities and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects and then quizzes them to see how much they learned. BrainPOP Jr.is specially configured for the younger grades; there’s also GameUp, a free portal for math, science, health, and social studies games.
An audience-response system app built on text messaging that lets you poll students (think formative assessment) and share their responses immediately. Students can respond via text from their cell, smartphone, or computer browser, or from Twitter.
Biology lab without the mess and the smell? Now that’s a revolution. Students dissect a virtual amphibian to learn about the parts of a frog and how it functions.
Check out app and Web tool ideas for elementary and high school students. And for more on mobile devices for learning, download this classroom guide:
Mobile Devices for Learning: What You Need to Know
Learn how cellphones, e-book readers, and tablets are getting kids engaged with learning, focused on working smarter, and ready for the future.
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