Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education [1], which helps educators find the best ed-tech tools, learn best practices for teaching with tech, and equip students with the skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly. Click here [2]to read the full app review.
Science Journal [2]
What’s It Like?
Measure sound, light, and more using the sensors in your Android phone. Google refers to the Science Journal app as a pocket science laboratory because it allows students to measure data in real time using a phone. Sensors record ambient light (lux), intensity of sound in decibels (dB), and acceleration of the phone moving in three planes (m/s2). Students can design their own experiments and use Science Journal to collect and annotate data.
Price: Free
Grades: 6-12
Rating: 4/5
Pros: A free alternative to expensive classroom light, sound, and motion sensors.
Cons: Not all students have an Android phone.
Bottom line: Science Journal does a good job recording real-time motion, sound, and light data using Android phones.