What, when and how to use digital apps

On my Patreon group 'Giraffes and Sunflowers' I got the request to make a list of digital apps and how or when to use them.

I care to have no request without answering.
So here you go:
The apps ALL of my students (parents) have on their gadgets:

a-z reading (raz plus)
Kahoot
​flipgrid


Age wise, Flipgrid is the one we use no matter how young.  
I have close to 500 videos on my grids so far, the youngest presenter being 3.
​Also have a look at my blog and live on this topic here!

Next in line is 'Kahoot'.
I introduce it to my students after they have learned the first 26 sounds of their phonics.  I create all the Quizzes on my own, so I can be sure it suits there level and there is nothing they don't understand. 

There is no audio function on Kahoot, so if they cannot read yet, it can be a killer of motivation.  Of course, in class you can avoid this by just reading the questions out loud, but for me these apps are not 'teaching tools' but tools to use at home.


Last in sequence (age wise) is a-z reading.
Frequency wise, a-z is the app they use most of the three, because we embrace reading and have seen that proficiency comes through reading regularly.  So it is a thing they work with regularly.  

But obviously, they need to have learned all the phonics sounds, and have a little confidence in reading.
So, I usually create an account for them half a year AFTER they have finished the Phonics program.
​
All of the apps are free to download and use on multiple gadgets, and easy to use for kids, except for maybe flipgrid.  It takes a while to get used to the system.

I hope this all helps, and please do comment for follow up questions.