Test Digital Resources

SCUSD: Approved

Approval Decision: Approve the free version of the Vernier Graphical Analysis 4. Note, the Android version is due to come out in January 2018. Currently, the free app can be added as a Chrome extension.

Description: Collect, share, and analyze sensor data with free software

SCUSD: Adult Use Only


Approval Decision: Teachers may sign up for the free version and use it for a quick formative assessment. Note, to use with students under the age of 13, parent permission is required.

Description:  With Pear Deck, bring interactive, engaging slide presentations to your classroom. Real-time formative assessments and discussions enhance understanding.

https://www.brainpop.com/

SCUSD: Approved


Approval Decision: Approved - If students are under the age of 13, parent permission is required.

Description:  Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology.






Common Sense Media Review - Find Pros, Cons, Video Tutorials and Lesson Ideas for Brain Pop

SCUSD: Not Approved


Approval Decision: Does not follow teacher input. Does not support Google for research.

Description: Qalaxia is a free question-and-answer site for classrooms. On Qalaxia: Students ask for homework help on online homework forums and get help from experts.

SCUSD: Not Approved

Approval Decision: In violation of SOPIPA because of targeted ads.

Description:  From a nonprofit documenting its global missions, to a teacher transforming American history - check out the inspiring stories that people are creating using Tour Builder.

https://edublogs.org/

SCUSD: Approved

Approval Decision: The app is free and is in compliance with student online privacy laws.  Free version only - is approved

Description: WordPress powered blogs, Eportfolios, and websites




Common Sense Media - - Find Pros, Cons, Video Tutorials and Lesson Ideas - Find Pros, Cons, Video Tutorials and Lesson Ideas for Edublogs

SCUSD: Conditional


Approval Decision: This application requires parent approval before a student can use it.

Description: Math & ELA standards aligned adaptive learning for grades K-8. Loved by students, parents and teachers.

SCUSD: Not Approved

Approval Decision: Because some of Nearpod's safety features have the potential of violating federal FERPA laws, this app is not approved until a letter is written regarding the violation of FERPA.

Description: Nearpod is an interactive classroom tool for teachers to engage students with interactive lessons.

SCUSD: Not Approved

Approval Decision: The app is free because they subject the user to advertisements; tracks  IP address and ad choices.

Description:LetterSchool makes handwriting incredibly easy to unravel. Just pick a letter, kick back and enjoy the show.

SCUSD: Not Approved


Approval Decision: Not COPPA/FERPA compliant.

Description: Kidblog provides K-12 teachers with tools to safely publish student writing. Teachers can monitor all activity within a community of authors.

SCUSD: Not Approved


Approval Decision: Denied 9/26/16. Violation of FERPA.

Description: A simple, fun & creative way to capture, edit & share photos, videos & messages with friends & family.

SCUSD: Not Approved


Approval Decision: Fresh Grade has the potential of allowing student evidence or learning samples that include student identifiable information to be shared with other parents that are not the students' parents - the app is denied. The app does provide public forums and message boards that also reveal student identifiable information. Student content can also be used by third party vendors. The personal data in transit is encrypted but there are no details whether the data is encrypted in storage.

Description: FreshGrade is the digital portfolio & assessment platform that makes learning visible for leaders, teachers, parents, and students. Available on any device.

SCUSD: Not Approved

Approval Decision: The privacy policy states they will use the personal information to provide fund raising for schools, use cookies to capture and remember certain information to understand your preferences based on site activity. The privacy policy also states the non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses. They have not enabled Google AdSense on their site but may do so in the future.

The privacy policy does not supply a contact email or phone number to ask specific questions, therefore I was not able to ask the questions and/or raise the concerns about our schools use of this application.

Description: Dictionary.com is the world’s leading online source for English definitions, synonyms, word origins, audio pronunciations, example sentences, slang phrases, idioms, word games, legal and medical terms, Word of the Day and more. For over 20 years, Dictionary.com has been helping millions of people improve their use of the English language with its free digital services.

SCUSD: Conditional



Approval Decision: This app is approved for teacher use only. NO students should be allowed to sign up for an account, only teachers can have accounts. It is free, but teachers should be aware their digital activity will be tracked and used to target adds and newsletters their way. Teachers should also beware to advise students to not use their real names, but use an avatar or nickname when using.

Description: Starfall is a children's website that teaches basic English, Reading and Writing skills. The main demographic is Preschoolers, and Kindergarteners. Founded in 2002, the website teaches children how to read by using games and phonics.

SCUSD: Conditional


Approval Decision: If under 13, will require a parent permission form to be COPPA compliant.

Description: Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

SCUSD: Conditional


Approval Decision: This is a good use of the teaching strategy "gamification" to support students understanding of fractions in grades 4-6. Teachers may use the free version if they agree to use anonymous names for students.

Description: Create videos in a safe online environment.

https://www.spellingcity.com/

SCUSD: Approved


Approval Decision: Free version only - is approved

Description: Build vocabulary, literacy, phonics, & spelling skills with SpellingCity. Improve vocabulary, a core reading skill, with gamified context-rich. SpellingCity is a fun way to learn spelling and vocabulary words by playing engaging learning games using any word list.

Common Sense Media Review - Find Pros, Cons, Video Tutorials and Lesson Ideas

web.seesaw.me/

SCUSD: Approved


Approval Decision: The free version of Seesaw is approved. Before using, teachers will need to have parents sign the parental consent letter available on the teaching and learning site.  Free version only - is approved

Description: Student driven digital portfolios and simple parent communication. Seesaw empowers students to independently document what they are learning at school. Students can “show what they know” using photos, videos, drawings, text, PDFs, and links. You can also import directly from most popular apps. When students add to their Seesaw journal, content is uploaded, organized by student, and immediately accessible to teachers from any device. Seesaw makes it easy for students and teachers to review progress over time and demonstrate growth.

Common Sense Media Review - Find Pros, Cons, Video Tutorials and Lesson Ideas

https://www.scratchjr.org/

SCUSD: Approved


Approval Decision: ScratchJr Free version only - is approved.

Description: ScratchJr let's young children (ages 5-7) program their own interactive stories and games. In the process, they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively on the computer.

Common Sense Media Review

https://www.remind.com/

SCUSD: Approved


Approval Decision: This application has earned the iKeepSafe certification. Students and parents have to agree to provide their cell phone numbers.

Description: Remind, formerly Remind101, is a communication tool that helps teachers reach students and parents where they are using texts without revealing teacher's personal phone number. Schedule announcements to all parents or send individual texts to parents with photos or attachments. At Elementary and Middle School teacher's can use it to communicate with parents.

Grades: 1-12

Common Sense Media Review