Kids Review Edtech
By Karolina Throssell
To suggest edtech apps for review, email Karolina@iden.global, or visit www.iden.global for more information about the host.
Like the podcast? You can now buy the host a virtual coffee and if you'd like us to, we can even shout you out on the show as a thank you - ko-fi.com/idenmedia
Kids Review EdtechJan 16, 2023
23) 11+ edtech solutions: Atom Learning
In the UK, when your child is coming to the end of their Primary School education they can opt for an entrance exam called the 11+ to see if they can gain entry to a Grammar school in their area. We turned to tech to find out what solutions existed to support with prepping for the 11+ and were introduced to Atom Learning.
I should clarify that we didn't extensively test Atom in advance of undertaking the 11+ which is why the review solely focuses on the difference between an edtech platform to support preparing for the 11+ compared with the traditional paper-based mock tests that can be downloaded or bought online.
Atom Learning is also not solely a platform for the 11+ and can be used outside of that to improve learning more generally for core KS2 subjects.
Smart Online Learning & Exam Preparation | Atom Learning
To learn more about the podcast host Karolina Throssell, visit www.iden.global
22) Online tech courses: Minecraft
In today's show we were given the opportunity to trial one of the online courses offered by Fire Tech. Our interviewee chose to review Ultimate Factory Builder in Minecraft.
21) Teacher review Therese
In another of our teacher reviews we hear from US-based teacher Therese about the edtech tools she uses in her classroom.
Apps mentioned include GoNoodle, enVisionmath and ElevateScience by Pearson, Prodigy, iXL, 99math and Blooket.
20) KS1 Maths: NumBots
In today's episode we review an app by Maths Circle, the creators of TT Rockstars. It's called NumBots and is available for schools, families and tutors and is aimed at those aged between five and seven.
So if you're looking for an app that helps your child learn subtraction and addition with cute robot characters, it comes highly endorsed by our reviewer.
19) Teacher review with Halcyon
We're back with another teacher review to help you find out which tech and tools are used in the classroom and the resources they recommend for home use.
I'm joined in this episode by Halcyon, a primary school teacher currently on maternity leave and the founder of Peggy Orange, which provides educational activity boxes for those aged 3-5.
Apps and tech mentioned in the episode include:
Tiggly
Lego Duplo World
Teach your Monster To Read
Phonics Play
Phonics Hero
Purple Mash by 2Simple
Bee-Bot and Blue-bot by Terrapin
18) Reading: Sora
In today's episode Maya and her son Aion review reading app Sora created by OverDrive Education. It's available globally and is used by more than 48,000 schools and district partners worldwide.
To find out more about Sora, visit the link https://company.overdrive.com/k-12-schools/discover-sora/
17) Teacher Review
In today's episode we decided to get some feedback from a teacher on their favourite technology apps and tools that they use in the classroom and to support parents and their children at home.
My guest was primary school teacher Alex Baptie. We chatted about the benefits of interactive whiteboards and visualisers in the classroom and why they work so well. We also talked about a host of other apps including PurpleMash by 2Simple, TT Rockstars, Tapestry, ScratchJr and MarvellousMe.
Make sure you listen to the episode to find out which edtech tool Alex would pick if he was only allowed to choose one.
If you enjoyed the episode or the podcast, please do leave us a review or subscribe.
16) English: Vocabulary Ninja
When searching for educational apps to review on the show, there's always plenty of maths or coding related products but games aimed at improving English, can be trickier to find. So it was great when a fellow PR reached out to me with a suggestion of a website where you could play mini-games aimed at improving English and the best thing about it is that it's free!
https://games.vocabularyninja.co.uk/
15) Maths: Prodigy
Kids Review Edtech is back with another episode. In today's episode we're reviewing maths app Prodigy. The free version is perfect for introducing kids to the game and getting them to learn maths while playing. For more features, there's a paid for membership. The game was reviewed by 5 year old Ryan and 9 year old Kieran.
14) Tutoring platforms: Maths Whizz
According to a survey by Edplace, parents spend £6bn a year on private tutors with the average spent per child around £2,750. It's little wonder then that edtech platforms that offer private tutoring are rising in popularity.
In today's episode Kieran, aged 9 reviews tutor platform Maths Whizz by Whizz Education which is aimed at 5-13 year olds.
https://www.whizz.com/
13) Intro to electronics and coding with the Ardunio student kit
Today's show is looking at a kit aimed at introducing kids to simple coding and electronics. Our reviewer Kieran, aged 9, was slightly under the age that the kit is aimed at but had no problems by following the website guide.
The Arduino Student Kit is aimed at 11 year olds and requires no previous coding or electronics experience. It gives students fun, engaging, and creative electronics and programming projects to do at home - teaching and guiding them in learning coding and electronics.
To find out more about the Student Kit visit: https://promo.arduino.cc/student-kit
12) Phonics - Poio
Today five year old Ryan reviews Poio by Kahoot! This phonics and reading game has helped more than 100,000 children learn how to read. It's very similar in style to Teach Your Monster to Read, so if your child is a fan of that game, they'll love this.
https://poio.com/
It's available on both Android and Apple.
11) Addition and subtraction: Miner Birds
In today's episode of Kids Review Edtech our reviewer Ryan takes a look at Miner Birds which is a game to help learn addition and subtraction. It's made by Busy Things and is aimed at children aged 3 - 11.
The app is priced at £1.99 and can also be purchased as part of a bundle for £5.99 which includes four games; addition and subtraction, times tables, fractions and mental maths.
The website also has lots of resources and free games, visit www.busythings.co.uk for more information.
10) Writing and reading -update on Night Zookeeper
In episode seven which was about writing and reading apps we covered Night Zookeeper. My reviewer at the time wasn't sold on the app but fast forward to today and he's enjoying it a lot more, so I thought it would only be fair to revisit it.
We're also looking for more reviewers for the show so if you currently play an app we haven't covered and would be happy to review it, please drop me an email to karolina@iden.global
Next week we'll have a new app to review.
9) Maths: SplashLearn
In today's episode my guests Cheryl and Alex, who is eight, talk about SplashLearn, which is an app to help with maths.
SplashLearn is an award winning math learning program used by more than 30 Million kids for fun math practice. It includes unlimited math lessons on number counting, addition, subtraction and more.
It starts off easy and gradually becomes more difficult in line with the child's capabilities.
www.splashlearn.com
8) Maths: Mathland on Nintendo Switch
MathLand on the Nintendo Switch is being reviewed today by Ryan who is five years old.
https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/mathland-switch/
7) Reading and writing: Night Zookeeper
In today's episode of Kids Review Edtech we look at Night Zookeeper which is an app that can help children with spelling, grammar and writing skills.
Reviewed by Kieran who is eight years old.
As a parent I can see great potential for the app to improve writing skills, but Kieran did need a lot of encouragement to play it. However, it did go down better with his younger brother Ryan. There is a free trial so it's worth giving it a try in any case.
www.nightzookeeper.com
6) Fractions: Slice Fractions
In this episode of Kids Review Edtech we're looking at fractions and a game called Slice Fractions. It's reviewed by Elli and William. You can learn more by visiting the website below:
https://ululab.com/slice-fractions/
5) Coding - Fuze4 Nintendo Switch
This week we tried out a game aimed at getting kids into coding called Fuze4 Nintendo Switch. Guest reviewers were Kieran age eight and his dad Arran.
Overall it's a really solid game and great for the price. You do need a little patience and to read the instructions if you're looking at giving the coding a go, especially for those who have never tried it before, but the video tutorials on the website and how to PDFs make it easy enough to get started with basic coding. Although Fuze4 Nintendo Switch also comes pre-loaded with some example games which the youngest in our household enjoyed playing.
Hope you enjoy the episode and please do leave us a review on Apple or wherever you get your podcasts from. If you'd like to suggest an app for review, or be on a future show, send us a message on Instagram @kidsreview_podcast or on Facebook @kidsreview
#edtech #gaming #educationtechnology
I should also add that some of the coding sequences represented in the review were slightly shortened in the recording and some sound effects have been added, but it's a fair representation of the experience.
4) Times Tables - TT Rockstars
Due to a few technical problems we had to take a short break, but we're now back to bring you more app reviews, which might help in the lead up to preparing for school starting again.
In today's show, Kieran and his dad Arran review a game to help with Times Tables called TT Rockstars. News on the edtech front is a little quiet of late so we'll be pausing that part of the show for the time being.
We'd also like to feature more listeners on future shows. Send an email to karolina@iden.global if your child would like to review an app or if your child plays TT Rockstars why don't you leave us a review of the game? We may even feature a few listener recordings in a future show. If you're listening on Anchor you can leave a message on its platform or send us a voicenote via email.
#edtech #homeschool #homelearning #education
3) Spelling - Spelling Shed
Today's guests are Emilie and her sons Jayden and Jamie. Jamie who is five reviews Spelling Shed.
In edtech news we find out about a new writing competition by app makers Fonetti which closes on Friday 31st July. The competition is being judged by presenter and author Clare Balding, Horrid Henry series author Francesca Simon and authors of the Kid Normal series and presenters Greg James and Chris Smith. The link to the competition is below.
https://www.fonetti.com/competition
#edtech #educationtechnology #spelling
2) Reading - Oxford Owl
In today's show we look at Oxford Owl and specifically the reading resources. My guest today is four year old Freya and her mum Hazel.
In ed tech news we learn about a new UK research project 'Language Explorer' where the makers are looking for child volunteers to help train a new app. The groundbreaking technology project hopes to improve future diagnosis of developmental language disorders (DLD), something which affects two children in every classroom.
To get involved, parents need to download the free app and listen to a story. The child will then need to re-tell the story read to them in the app, the recording of which is uploaded for analysis using technology which measures the level of language used by the child. The data collected in this project will be invaluable in training the app to recognise children with language difficulties and create significant efficiencies within the NHS such as shorter waiting times to see specialists, faster diagnosis and treatment route, and increased accuracy in planning interventions.
The app was created by healthcare technology solutions developer Therapy Box, and the project is a collaboration with Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit, Newcastle University and three NHS sites in Hackney, Newcastle and Bristol. It is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme. Language Explorer has also won awards including the Scale & Grow at the Virgin Media Business VOOM Awards, and a Digital Public Health Award.
To download the app:
Appstore: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/language-explorer/id1484624485?ls=1
PlayStore: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.voca.language.explorer
Watch this video for further information and instructions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGYsSbq54gE
1) Phonics - Teach Your Monster to Read
If you've never heard of phonics before it's basically a method of teaching children how to read using the sounds that letters make individually and when combined. Today's guest is five year old Ryan who reviews Teach Your Monster to Read.
Listen to hear what he thought of the app and to hear the new word he makes up ;)
#phonics #edtech #homelearning
This episode is brought to you by content creation agency Iden
www.iden.global
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Kids Review EdTech is aimed at parents, educators and app creators. If you want to get involved, either as a reviewer, or would like us to review your app, just email Karolina@iden.global