6. Is enough learning content covered—without sacrificing depth?
Will students learn a little bit about a lot of things? Often, this approach can make learning a mile wide and an inch deep. Make sure that kids can address the learning topics in a deep way. Usually, this involves critical and conceptual thinking. DragonBox models this well, with a deep dive into a specific topic that also supports conceptual learning.
7. Does the product encourage kids’ collaborative and collective learning?
Can kids’ interactions build greater or more meaningful understanding? Goosechase EDU is a great example of a resource where students can work in teams to solve digital scavenger hunts. An important note, though: If a product includes social features, make sure the developers have taken kids’ online privacy and safety into account.
8. Does it offer assessment data while also balancing the need for kids’ privacy and safety?
Does the tool offer performance or behavior data in ways that will help you support students’ learning? Does it also ensure that kids aren’t asked to share too much? Make sure the product’s privacy policy is available as well as written in simple, comprehensible language. Formative is an assessment tool that has policies transparent enough to earn our “Use Responsibly” privacy recommendation.
9. Does the product help you meet different kids at their levels?
Do the content and design match the tool’s target age group? Will kindergartners be able to read the directions? Will the graphics feel condescending to high school students? Can the learning content be adjusted or differentiated to maximize individual learning? Woot Math is a good example of a product that adapts as kids progress.
10. Is diversity (gender, race, and culture) presented without bias or stereotype?
Will students see a spectrum of backgrounds represented? Are the representations as responsible and unbiased as possible? Are there opportunities for different kinds of kids to identify with different kinds of characters? You can see a wide range of ideas and people on websites such as StoryCorps.
11. Does it promote distraction-free learning for kids?
Do advertisements, links for teachers and other adults, or sales and subscription information pull kids away from learning? Does the design keep kids’ attention focused on the right task? Zearn is a resource where students come first and information for adults is tucked away out of sight.
12. Last, is the product both innovative and essential to your teaching?
Does the product fill a critical need in education today? The best edtech products don’t merely substitute for an existing classroom tool; they change and redefine what great teaching and learning look like.
[Editor’s note: This post originally appeared on Common Sense Education.]
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