Minecraft by Alexander Parker

Name: Minecraft

Cost: £15

Device/s used: PS Vita and iPhone 5

Available on: PC, Mac, Xbox, Playstation, Wii U, Windows Phone, Android, Apple and Kindle

What was good about this tool? 

You develop your cognitive skills by using the remote or touch screan, the main game teach individuals about value and perimeter as if you are building a model, there are problems you need to figure out: how long, by how tall and wide in centimetres.

As with your cognitive skills it allows you to use your imagination and play a game by Maths without thinking about it.

What was bad about this tool? 

Its is an expensive game due to increasing popularity, it also needs regular updates.

How did you use this tool? 

I used it on my phone and on my games console, you don't think of the maths aspect and eventually if you gain an understanding of the activity this can be applied to maths papers and lessons to benefit yourself.

Would you recommend this tool? 

Yes, because it enjoyable, easy access, and fun, but the maths aspect is not viewed in a education process as you are playing a enjoyable game and learning. 

Post-it Plus by Jessica

Name of App: Post-it Plus

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone and Android

Available on: Apple, Android

What was good about this tool? 

- Allows users to organise and share notes, notes can be organised in a board.  

- Pictures from photo library can be taken to capture up to 50 notes at one time.

- Notes can be exported to Powerpoint, Excel and PDF

What was bad about this tool? 

- A4 sheets are difficult to read, especially on the phone screen

- To erase drawings/scribbles it costs £1.49 to have this feature

- Also it's a complicated layout to get used to, but does allow you to collaborate with other students

How did you use this tool? 

Its an app that can help you develop your structured work through a visual concept

Would you recommend this tool? 

Yes, however may take a while to get used to.

Efficiency - 7

Functionality - 7

Design - 8

Overall - 7/10

ThingLink - Emily Harris

Name of App: ThingLink

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone

Available on: Apple, Android, Windows Phone and Online

What was good about this tool? 

This tool would be good for those that are creative and want to add more to their photos and show their artistic side. The layout was fairly simple and easy to use with clear instructions. Can also be entertaining creating these effects and searching other photos that people have uploaded. Allows you to be recognised and remembered too which can be useful for those on Youtube. 

What was bad about this tool? 

For someone that isn't interested in photography and isn't that creative, I wasn't too keen on the app therefore may not be for everyone. Also will need to take a while before getting recognised like any YouTube video for example therefore requires patience that some may not have. 

How did you use this tool? 

I used this tool in the evening for entertainment and to pass time rather than prioritising my time around the app. 

Would you recommend this tool? 

I would recommend the app for those that want to progress and want to be remembered. Other than that there are other apps that are just as good where you can upload pics etc. 

Quizlet By Chloe

Name of App: Quizlet

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone

Available on: Apple, Android, Windows Phone and Online

Quizlet is an app which you can create flashcards and learning language's. The app can be used when you are on the go. So you can study any subject on the go. You are able to find flashcards on the app or you can create your own, The app can help students learn languages with realistic pronunciations. The app also has fun learning apps for the younger generation. Children can learn their numbers, letters and animals playing theses games. Quizlet offers tests on what you have learned. This is very helpful to students when they are revising exams.This app is very helpful to younger children. The app has a four and a half star rating, with many good reviews. The app is targeted at 4 and upwards.

Twitter by Liam

Name of App: Twitter

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone

Available on: Apple, Android, Windows Phone and Online

What was good about this tool? 

Its good at keeping up to date with subject and topics online. You can follow people that tweet about your subject then it could help you with your assignment work. They could be tweeting about your subject and this would help you in keeping up to date with the latest news. When you are using Twitter for education you are able to collaborate with other people to get some ideas for your assignments. This is a great app for research!

I would recommend following @Gloscol for latest news on the college. I would also recommend @GCDigiTech for all of the student innovator news.

What was bad about this tool? 

Nothing

How did you use this tool? 

I use it to tweet content and follow people I like. I think this app would be great for research.

Would you recommend this tool? 

Yes I would recommend this tool because its easy to use. You can get the relevant up to date information that you need for your course.

Quiz Up by Sasha

Name of App: Quiz Up

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone

Available on: Apple and Android

What was good about this tool? 

It has lots of quizzes on a variety of topics, you can also make your own quizzes! The quizzes are multiple choice. The app is easy to use and very visual. You can follow topics and post on the quizzes your thoughts which makes this app social and collaborative. 

What was bad about this tool? 

Nothing bad about this app. 

How did you use this tool? 

I use the anatomy and sociology quizzes in this app. There is lots of quizzes from these areas. 

Would you recommend this tool? 

Yes I would recommend this app, it is amazing with what it can do an all my subjects/ topics I am studying are in one place which can help me test my knowledge!

GCSE Maths Buddies by Alex

Name of App: GCSE Maths Buddies

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone

Available on: Apple

What was good about this tool? 

That it supports you and helps develop skills within maths that you may struggle with. It covered a lot of topics which is great for a free app and quite a few of them were mentioned in the exam!

What was bad about this tool? 

Can be long winded, it is not always concise. 

How did you use this tool? 

On my iPhone 5c for revision for the GCSE Maths exam.

Would you recommend this tool? 

I do recommend that everyone should try it for their own benefits, it is a great revision tool. 

This app also encourage people to update your phone, to ensure you gain access to all it features.

Wunderlist by Liam

Name of App: Wunderlist

Cost: Free

Device/s used: iPhone

Available on: Apple, Android, Chrome Extension and Online.

What was good about this tool? 

It is a good way to create lists, this has helped me to be organised. You can share lists which is good for group work tasks. You can sort the lists alphabetically, edit the list and add more people, I can also print off the list and email to people. I can create an account using Facebook and Google. 

It is really useful to make quick to do on the go which can remind me to get tasks done!

What was bad about this tool? 

There is nothing bad about this tool.

How did you use this tool? 

I used this app to create to dos for upcoming assignments and apps to test for the Student Innovators. 

Would you recommend this tool? 

Yes I would! This app is useful for checking lists and me organised. 

Glogster by Chloe

Glogster is a multimedia poster app, you can select as many pictures, videos, texts and audios as you like. You can then choose from a variety of different posters, which the app will then place your pictures, videos, text and audios in to the poster quickly and easily. You can use this app on any devices. The app is where you are able to express yourself as a person. You can share the poster on many medias. The app can also be used to create interactive reports, storybooks and presentations. This app can be used to help many courses. 

I would recommend this app to other students.

Kahoot by Jessica

Name of App: Kahoot

Cost: Free


Device/s Used: Apple, Android, Computer






What was good about the app
Kahoot allows personalised quizzes to be created.  This is a resource that can be used by both students and teachers.
Shapes and colours make a visual interface, that is easy to follow which is quite engaging.

Kahoot is an excellent resource in being open to new ideas
 - Blindkahoot
 - GhostMode for personal development

Kahoot also allows the opportunity to connect with social media, to share and encourage progression on the app.

Improvements

• Include more people on the podium - providing motivation for more than 5 people
• NEW GhostMode is available for individual development
• Create a long time to set up/create questions
• Creating more reliable technology

Efficiency - 6

Functionality - 6

Design - 8

Overall - 8/10

Red Herring By Emily

The app I downloaded was the Red Herring app where categories were lined in rows and I had to slide words to the correct category it linked to. The words were clear and easy to read however it's not an app I would recommend because there were no clear instructions and it was all the same activity so got boring after a while. It was hard to understand in the beginning however understood what to do after a while. 

I didn't find it that educational either and not much of a benefit for students to download. One positive point about the app is that it increased in the complexity of each level however not something I would have learnt a lot from.