Mr P's Top 5 Apps of 2017

So as 2017 comes to an end, it is time to reflect on the past year. For me, it has been another incredible year. The support and feedback I have received from teachers all over the world has been amazing. There are still huge issues in education and 2017 hasn't been the best year for schools, especially in the UK. However, it is my mission to change that, take teaching back and get schools working smarter, not harder.

I decided to do a LIVE Vlog on my facebook page tonight to share my top 5 apps in 2017. These aren't necessarily the best apps, I have picked them based on which apps I have used the most in the classroom this year. Here is the whole video which also talks about John Murray's new book - Reading Rocketeers. 

So here are links to the apps mentioned:



5 - iVisualiser - Along with Airserver.com, this tool can transform your teaching by turning your iPad into a mobile Visualiser. To find out more, check out this blog post I put together - click here.

4 - Adobe Spark Apps - Post, Pages and Video -  These apps have been some of my favourites for the past few years. It would be further up the list, however, the update that removed some themes didn't make sense. Still, it is a brilliant example of how to the iPad can be used creatively to allow students to share their knowledge and understanding.

3 - Shadow Puppets Edu - This has to be one of the best apps I use in EYFS and KS1. It is so versatile and lends itself brilliantly to so many different areas of the curriculum. As I have been spending a lot of time in KS1 this term, we have used it brilliantly to enhance the whole curriculum. See it in action here.

2 - Apple Clips - A new app from Apple has great potential for the classroom. The downside, it only works on devices which run iOS 10. An app that allows you to create videos about absolutely anything adding filters, effects, graphics and more. It is one I use personally for a lot of my videos but also have used a lot in the classroom. Watch this space for more ways in which we explore this app in 2018.

1 - Seesaw - It couldn't be anything else. This tool has continued to transform teaching and learning in our school, helping teachers work smarter, not harder. There is so much I could share about how we use seesaw, but I'll save that for when you join me on a training day.

I have received a few messages from teachers who have been told they can no longer use seesaw as it will not comply with the new GDPR guidelines coming into force in May. I have received this statement directly from Seesaw addressing this issue:

GDPR goes into effect in the EU in May 2018 and Seesaw is preparing to be compliant with it. 

If you are concerned about data storage, the GDPR has specific requirements regarding the transfer of data out of the EU. One of these requirements is that the transfer must only happen to countries deemed as having adequate data protection laws. Privacy Shield is an agreement between the EU and US allowing for the transfer of personal data from the EU to US. Privacy Shield allows US companies to meet this requirement of the GDPR.

Seesaw complies with Privacy Shield regarding the collection, use and retention of personal information from European Union member countries. Seesaw has certified that it adheres to the Privacy Shield Privacy Principles of notice, choice, accountability for onward transfer, security, data integrity, access, and enforcement and liability. You can learn more about the Privacy Shield program on their website and view our certification page. 

We hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Honourable mentions for - Aurasma, Doink Greenscreen, Book Creator and Curiscope Virtuali-tee.