6 Essential Steps to Using an App in the Classroom

I was recently observing a 1:1 Chromebook classroom where the students were asked to take notes using Google Keep.  Through my observation, it appeared that students hadn’t used Keep before.  After the teacher described what the icon looked like, students were to find and open it. Once they found Keep, students were to use their stylus (which some did not have) to take class notes.  Needless to say, there was a bit of a learning curve using Keep.  Many students asked why they were using Keep, never mind that many had trouble finding it. Others weren't sure how to use the stylus with the app.  Some students wondered why they couldn't use paper and pencil.  To avoid these questions as well as many others, the following six steps should be considered:

1. Introductions come first.  Let’s take the Google Keep example.  Before having students open up their Chromebooks, the teacher should describe the app.  Include in the description the different capabilities and the purpose of the app.

2. Advise students how to find the app. Instead of having students search their Chromebooks for the app, show them how to find it.  In the class I observed, many students struggled to find the app on their Chromebook, wasting valuable class time.

3. Tell them why it’s being used in class. In the Google Keep scenario, many students asked why they were using it.  Students should know that it’s a tool that will help them get their work done more efficiently.   Sell the app to the students.  Remember, you’re not using tech for the sake of using it.  There’s a reason. Explain it to them.  

4. Demo the app.  Show students exactly how they will be using it in class.  In the Google Keep example, the teacher wanted them to fold their Chromebook so as to resemble a notebook.  The problem was, the Chromebooks were in a case that didn’t allow for the folding over of the Chromebook.  As a result, many students struggled to take notes because they weren’t folding their Chromebooks. Some figured out that they had to take the computer out of the case in order to fold it.  Also, if the app requires any additional accessories, such as a stylus, advise students that they’ll need to be prepared with such.  

5. Practice using the app before actually using it.  In the case of Google Keep, ask students to “play” with the app.  Give them a brief assignment where they use all of the aspects of the app.  Allow them to draw, to write, to import pictures.  That way, they’ll be much more comfortable and confident when using it for authentic class work.

6. Use the app slowly.  Give students time to open the app and are prepared to use it.  Expect students to be slow using it the first time, even though they’ve already been exposed to it.  Be patient.  It won’t take long before using it is second nature.

Granted, all of these steps take class time, but, it will save more time and frustration in the long run.