There’s an app for that

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT
THE TOP TEN CHOICES….
Laura Hawley and Colby Canterbury, Contributors
A Top 10 of Best Apps for the Math and Music Education Classrooms

DESMOS
Hyperlink to the APP: https://www.desmos.com/
Specific uses in the classroom: Desmos allows students to plot functions, create tables, add
sliders, animate your graphs, and more.
Why it made the Top 10 App list: This is one of the top five math Apps that I would nominate, it
essentially puts $100 calculators for free into students hands. With this App students can begin to
really explore Algebraic concepts at a deeper level.

Does it provide student feedback? How? The app allows for individual use and a teacher to create a class to receive
data and give students feedback. Teachers can create a class and use a dashboard to view real time student responses.
The App gives immediate feedback to students by graphing the results that are inputted.
What kind of higher learning thinking skills does the app encourage? Students apply their mathematical knowledge
to create graphs and equations of graphs Using their graphs they can analyze the information to come to conclusions
about their data.
Ease of use...is it intuitive? How? It is easy to use. The interface is similar to a graphing calculator and allows for easy
manipulation for lines, shading and color schematics.

What kind of privacy does it offer?
Desmos is not password protected but has a private class code for teachers to use
to limit access for their activities.
Are the skills reinforced connected to your curriculum standards/student
outcomes?
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP4 Model with mathematics.
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP5 Use appropriate tools strategically.
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP6 Attend to precision.
CE.MP7 Look for and make use of structure.
Does the app provide easy to follow and comprehensive instructions?
Desmos provides a quick start guide to explain the very basics, but learning is best
done by trial and error. I was able to find a very well done desmos user guide at:
https://desmos.s3.amazonaws.com/Desmos_User_Guide.pdf

Hyperlink to the APP: Smartmusic
Specific uses in the classroom: Used during the school day for method book/ band playing together,
playing tests, rhythms exercises, etc. Used at home for practicing instrument and receiving immediate
feedback from app.
Why it made the Top 10 App list: One of the best apps for practice and use in the classroom. The app is
free, but the subscription for a year is $40. Can be used at home or in the classroom and all
assignments from the teacher are recorded in a gradebook. This is my top app.
Smartmusic

Does it provide student feedback? How? This app provides
excellent feedback by recording the student’s performance on
assignments straight from their method book, rhythm exercises, scale
exercises, and more. Students play into the microphone of their tablet
or phone and receive instant feedback of missed notes, rhythms, or
rests.
What kind of higher learning thinking skills does the app
encourage?
Application- Students must recall what they have learned in class and
apply it to their assignments through performance.
Evaluation- Students and teacher can evaluate where they are in
regards to their understanding of key concepts in rhythm and notes
Analysis- Students and teacher receive and can contribute thorough
analysis to their own performance.
Ease of use...is it intuitive? How? Yes. You must get the hang of going
through an assignment or two before it becomes a habit. Instructions
Smartmusic

What kind of privacy does it offer? Smartmusic can be accessed using a subscription username and
password. It does have a “remember me” button you can click for access at anytime. All passwords are
protected. Administrators can access student information, but can not access passwords.
Are the skills reinforced connected to your curriculum standards/student outcomes?
Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
Anchor Standard 5: Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
Anchor Standard 7. Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Anchor Standard 8: Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
Anchor Standard 9. Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.
Does the app provide easy to follow and comprehensive instructions? The instructions are
comprehensive through the tutorials they provide. The app allows the student to go straight to the
website and if there are problems, they can call a help line. The instructions are very straight forward, but
can be frustrating when Smartmusic can’t hear a note being played.
Smartmusic

Hyperlink to the APP:
https://www.khanacademy.org/
Specific uses in the classroom:
Students have access to thousands of video tutorials in seven
different subject areas. It is the main resource used by students
for math online assistance. Having the possibility of accessing
lectures at home means that students who struggle to focus in
the classroom can catch up quickly with the rest of the class by
exploring the mini-lessons at home and at their own pace
KAHN ACADEMY APP
Why it made the Top 10 App list:
Kahn Academy is one of the top Apps in education. It is a
free App that has unlimited options for our
students. When kids are absent or struggling with
understanding concepts they put the skill into the App
and have instant access to video tutorials and practice
sets that with give them instant feedback.

Does it provide student feedback? How?
Khan Academy app offers mentors, parents, and teachers a
coaching tool that provides insight into a child’s progress. Teachers
are offered ideas, materials and best practices for integrating Khan
Academy into their classrooms. You can create classes, add
students and the skills they’ve worked on and completed..
encourage?
Kahn Academy allows plenty of opportunities within the app to
evaluate and solve problems. But the real value comes when
teachers use the app to flip their instruction so that students watch
and listen to the lecture for homework, and then use class-time
for tackling difficult problems, creating, and collaborating.
Classrooms become laboratories or studios, and yet content
delivery is preserved
Ease of use...is it intuitive? How?
Very easy to use. Students are able to search for a topic and find
multiple videos to download on the topic.

Kahn Academy can be searched by anyone in the public sphere but also has the option for more individual privacy using a password.
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP4 Model with mathematics.
CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP5 Use appropriate tools strategically.
CE.MP7 Look for and make use of structure.
The Kahn Academy website offers Comprehensive instructions and tutorials for both teachers and students along with online support for
students with questions about math content.

Hyperlink to the APP: Sonoptic
Specific uses in the classroom: Sonoptic is a practice tool that focuses on the whole playing of the instrument.
Students play along with the music listed on the screen (scales, etudes, exercises, etc.) and processes the information.
Great tool for playing at home or in the classroom.
Why it made the Top 10 App list:I fell in love with this app the first time I researched it. I believe at $7, it is a steal. For the
more serious musician, this app serves all purposes. It can tell you not only if you are playing the right notes and
rhythms, but can also help with expression, which is extremely difficult to bring out on an app. I like the versatility in the
app as well. Lots of bells and whistles and easy to use. Definitely one of my top 5.
Sonoptic

Does it provide student feedback? How? Sonoptic gives students a great practice tool to hone
skills with scales, rhythms, expression, solos, etudes, and full ensemble pieces. One can earn
immediate feedback by the app sharing missed notes, rhythms, or even expression.
What kind of higher learning thinking skills does the app encourage?
Application- Applying what was learned in a classroom setting and getting a performance of the music
on your app.
Evaluation- Students can evaluate their own performances and receive an evaluation as well.
Creating- Students can create music and add to or take away musical expression within the pieces
they play.
Analysis- The app allows one to analyze pieces of music before and after a performance.
Ease of use...is it intuitive? How? This app takes some getting used to.
The initial usage is not hard to understand, but using all the bells and whistles
of the app can be overwhelming for the beginner. This is a great app for the
seasoned high school, college or professional musician.
Sonoptic

What kind of privacy does it offer? Sonoptic requires a log in for use of sheet music.
All pertinent information is kept through the log in and password.
outcomes?
Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
Anchor Standard 3: Refine and complete artistic work.
Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Does the app provide easy to follow and comprehensive instructions? This app has
tutorial videos that go along with the app and youtube. You can still get lost with all the
bells and whistles of the app, but once you learn them, the sky’s the limit. I loved
watching the videos and learning what this app can do and I am sure students and
teachers alike can enjoy it as well.
Sonoptic

https://edu.google.com/products/productivity-tools/classroom/
Google Classroom is designed to help teachers create, collect, and grade assignments paperlessly. The App includes
Google Drive folders for each assignment and for each student to help keep everyone organized. Students can keep
track of what’s due on the Assignments page and begin working with just a click. Teachers can quickly see who has or
hasn't completed the work, and provide direct, real-time feedback and grades right in Classroom.
Why it made the Top 10 App list: Google classroom is changing the way schools do school. Some schools are
choosing to go completely paperless. Students do not have to keep track of countless papers, they are able to do
everything through the App. This is why I think it should be in the top 10.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM APP

Does it provide student feedback? How? Students and teachers can view their classes and
communicate with their classmates in real time. Students can open their assignments and work
on them right from their phone or tablet. Teachers can keep track of who has turned in work
and grade the assignment - at school or on the go. Students and teachers receive notifications
when they have new content in Google Classroom, so they are always up to date. Google
Classroom allows teachers to send announcements and start class discussions instantly.
Students can share resources with each other or provide answers to questions on the stream.
Through Google Classroom students are able to upload their materials that they have created
through analysis and evaluation.
Ease of use...is it intuitive? How? eLearning Industry tested and made a review of Google
Classroom, in which they highlighted many positive and negative aspects. Among Classroom's
strengths, the review highlighted ease of use, universal device accessibility, use of Google Drive
as an effective way for teachers to quickly share assignments with students, the paperless
process meaning the end of printing, handing out, and potentially losing work, and the fast
feedback system between students and teachers. Among Classroom's disadvantages, the review
highlighted the service's heavy integration of Google apps and services with limited or no
support for external files or services, lack of automated quizzes and tests, and a lack of
discussion forums or live chats that can aid in feedback efforts

Teachers can add students by giving students a code to join the class. Students can be
invited to classrooms through the institution's database, through a private code that can
then be added in the student's user interface or automatically imported from a school
domain.Each class created with Google Classroom creates a separate folder in the
respective user's Google Drive, where the student can submit work to be graded by a
teacher.
outcomes?
Google Classroom is an App designed for teachers to house and communicate and
distribute all of their Standards to their students in an organized and structured way.
The App has a link to both the website and support systems where there are tutorials and
samples for both the teacher and the students in getting started and troubleshooting the
Google Classroom App.

Hyperlink to the APP: Tonal Energy
Specific uses in the classroom: Tonal Energy is a tuner and metronome, but is used for so much more. It can
be used to tune the instrument, keep a steady beat during practice, register attacks and releases on the
instrument, and help develop a better tone overall. Students can also video themselves practicing individual
parts and check their performance or send them to their instructor for grading.
Why it made the Top 10 App list: One of the best tuner apps available. It is a tuner and metronome with
wonderful features that help a student improve their tuning skills in a fun way. At $4 it is a little more expensive
than a regular tuner, but it does so much more.
Tonal Energy

Does it provide student feedback? How? Students receive immediate feedback from
the app by telling them if they are in tune, staying on the beat, how they are attacking and
releasing notes, and how their tone is on the instrument. All this by just playing one note
on the instrument. Videoing can help with posture and other helpful tips from instructors.
Analysis- Students analyze the notes, tone, and beat they are producing through practice.
Evaluation- Students can evaluate their performance and make adjustments to their
own tone.
Application- Students apply certain techniques for each instrument in order to achieve
better pitch recognition, better tone, and better rhythmic pulse.
Ease of use...is it intuitive? How? Tonal Energy is very easy to use. It comes with
instructional tutorials and is easy to navigate by just clicking your preference of tuner,
metronome, or video. The designer was a high school band director and wanted to make
the app quick and easy to use for rehearsals and individual practice.
Tonal Energy

What kind of privacy does it offer? Tonal Energy is not password protected, but does not store information with the
exception of recordings. They are treated like voice memos and can be accessed only through the user’s phone or iPad.
Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Does the app provide easy to follow and comprehensive instructions? Instructions for use are available through tutorials
and are available on the website. A customer service link is available for questions. The tutorials are very easy to follow and the
app is very user friendly.
Tonal Energy

Hyperlink to the APP: Voice Record Pro
Specific uses in the classroom: This app is used to record student’s
performances and practice time by MP3 (4) or video. It can also be used to
record full ensemble performances or sectional work. It is wonderful MP3
(4) player as well. Students can record themselves performing and send to
the instructor via email, LMS, Google Drive, etc.
Why it made the Top 10 App list: For my class, this is a life saver. If a
student is unable to send through Smartmusic, voice record pro can serve
as that recording and students can send the assignment via email. Great
MP3 (4) player. Great app for $2.
Voice Record Pro

Does it provide student feedback? How? Students can record themselves performing and send to the instructor
via email, LMS, Google Drive, etc. Instructors can use the recorder to record immediate feedback and send to the
student by the same route.
Application- Students can apply knowledge learned and create performances in voice record pro
Create- Students have opportunities to create new music.
Evaluation- Students can evaluate other performances and their own performances by listening to their recordings.
Analysis- Students can analyze pieces of music by listening and recording themselves performing.
Ease of use...is it intuitive? How? Voice Record Pro is very straight forward with its recording; just press the record
button and you are set. When you try to send things to others, you have many options and sometimes those options
are difficult to navigate for the novice. It takes a little while to get used to sending the recordings.
Voice Record Pro

What kind of privacy does it offer? Voice Record Pro is not password protected. It stores
information in the user’s phone or iPad. All recordings can be shared via the different outlets.
Anchor Standard 7. Perceive and analyze artistic work.
Does the app provide easy to follow and comprehensive instructions? Voice Record Pro
runs its users through a tutorial from the beginning. It does not, however, run through a
tutorial on how to send recordings to others. customer service is provided through the app.
Voice Record Pro

https://quizlet.com/
On Quizlet students can:
- Get test-day ready with Learn
- Put your memory to the test with Write
- Race against the clock in a game of Match
- Share flashcards with friends, classmates or students
- Listen to your material pronounced correctly in 18 languages
- Enhance your studying with custom images and audio
Study anywhere: once you load up your study sets, you can
study them offline too!
Why it made the Top 10 App list: Quizlet made my top five
list. Students from any subject can create a list of terms/short
answer questions that can me made into flashcards, multiple
choice/ Tor F, or fill in the blank questions to practice.
QUIZLET APP

Students can receive immediate feedback with Quizlet in various
ways. Quizlet provides a Learn function that allows students to see
immediately if they are correct or not and send the question back into
the que for more practice. Test is a feature that allows the student to
review all of the material and see at the end how many skills they scored
correctly on.
encourage?
Create - Students create and analyze their results within the Quizlet app
Quizlet is very easy to use. You pick the method in which you want to
review your material (short-answer, T/F, matching, multiple choice) and
the App creates a review activity for you in the mode.

Quizlet has both private and public options. When you create a quizlet
you can set the privacy level either public, visible to a group you belong
to, or visible only to you.
Are the skills reinforced connected to your curriculum
standards/student outcomes?
Quizlet Is a fun structured way to review all standards that are being
assessed by teachers.
Does the app provide easy to follow and comprehensive
instructions?
The App has a link to both the website and support systems where
there are tutorials and samples of quizlets to learn from.

Hyperlink to the APP: Notability
Specific uses in the classroom: Excellent tool for downloading PDF’s, taking notes,
organizing notes. Used in the music classroom to download music, make rehearsal notes,
add to or take away ideas for songs or exercises. Great tool for counting rhythm
assignments.
Why it made the Top 10 App list: An essential organizing, note taking, pdf giving,
everything app. I love using this app in my classroom for every note we take. It is easy to
download information and easy to send. It is $10 well spent. One of my top 5.
Notability

Does it provide student feedback? How? This is a general app for organization for students and teachers.
Teachers can use the app and give instructional comments via the voice recorder and send them back to the student.
Easy to share information via LMS, email, Google Drive, etc.
Application- Students can apply knowledge learned and create new notes in Notability
Create- Students have opportunities to create new music via Notability.
Ease of use...is it intuitive? How? Notability has a tutorial it runs a user through when the app is downloaded.
Using it often helps one know about all the bells and whistles.
Notability

What kind of privacy does it offer? Notability is not password
protected. All notes and images can be stored through the user’s iCloud.
Are the skills reinforced connected to your curriculum
standards/student outcomes?
Does the app provide easy to follow and comprehensive
instructions? Notability runs its users through an extensive tutorial when
you open the app for the first time. They are easy to understand and
allows the user to freely use the app.
Notability

https://photomath.net/en/
PhotoMath allows students to simply point their camera toward a math problem and the App will magically show the
result with a detailed step-by-step instructions
Why it made the Top 10 App list: PhotoMath would make my top 10 list. Math is an area that is very frustrating for some
students and sometimes they feel like they have hit a wall. With this App they would be able to scan in the problem and
see a step by step example of how to solve it and hopefully feel more confident as they try the next problem.
PHOTOMATH

This App does not allow for student feedback and interaction between
the user and the App. But provides detailed step-by-step explanation of
solving math problems.
encourage?
Photomath is an App for students that demonstrates and models for
students how to evaluate and solve high-level thinking questions.
This is App is very easy to use, take a photo and get the results.

There is no need for privacy settings since you are taking a photo and receiving a math answer.
All math common core standards are reinforced with this APP. The App will demonstrate how to
solve problems from every level of math kindergarten to collegiate level.
The App has a link to both the website and support systems. The instructions are not comprehensive
since the only instructions are to take pictures of a math problem.

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