1. Steven Sturman Charles Syms
Is there an App for that?
Steven Sturman
Charles Syms

2. Today’s Goals Why you might use apps in your classes
How to effectively integrate Apps into your course
Ethical and other considerations
How to choose the best Apps
Where to find the best Apps

3. Benefits of Using Apps It can increase students’ digital literacy;
It can help encourage life-long learning;
It can bring real world experiences into the classroom; and
It can expose students to the tools they could use in practice.

4. Effectively Integrating Apps into a Course
How will the App align with your learning goals?
How will the app build upon skills and knowledge?
How will the app provide a bridge between the classroom and the real world?

5. Alignment with Learning Goals
Mobile apps can positively impact student learning “when they fulfill a clear instructional goal and when they are used in specific ways that support student learning.” (Zhu et. al, 5).
Ex. Google Classroom –
Increase your connections to students using their announcements, to start conversations, and monitor assignments.

6. Alignment with Learning Goals II
Ex. Trello –
If you have group assignments you can ask students to use this to map out their project, assign responsibilities, and track progress
Ex. Kahoot –
Bring interactive quizzes into your seated or online classes allows for assessment of student understanding and provides for immediate feedback

7. Building upon Skills and Knowledge
Students will derive the most benefit when the app promotes active learning or allows them to discover new knowledge.  (Dilberto- Macaluso, and Hughes, 2016).
Ex. Spark Video –
Creates short videos or presentations on content areas or have students use it to create content for assignments

8. Building upon Skills and Knowledge II
Ex. Countable –
Allows for tracking actions of congressional representatives, also allows tracking of specific policy topics, such as DACA, Poverty etc.
Ex. Pocket Pharmacist –
Provides information on prescription medications including their use, interactions, and side effects.

9. Bridging the Classroom and Real World
Connecting work in the classroom to the real world increases student engagement, demonstrates real world relevance and provides a framework for professional development and lifelong learning.
There are a large number of Client Centered Apps that can be integrated into courses to work with specific populations

10. Pocket CBT
Anxiety Coach
Mind Mate
Take a Stand
Depression Test
Help Prevent Suicide

11. Ethical and Privacy Considerations
FERPA – Student Data
Privacy
Good way to raise ethical considerations with students before they enter into practice
Informed Consent
Confidentiality
Benefits/Risks of Using the App

12. Choosing the Best Apps The user friendliness of the app;
The accessibility of the app;
How well is the app supported;
What devices are the app available on?

13. Where to find your App Search the App Stores
AppStore for Apple iOS (May million apps)
Google Play Apps for Android
Helping Apps for Practitioners and Educators
Socialwork.buffalo.edu/happe

14. Helping Apps for Practitioners and Educators
Reviews of Apps and their practice implications
More information on how to use apps in your teaching
Sample Assignments submitted by other instructors
You can be a guest reviewer and share apps that you have used

15. References
Diliberto-Macaluso, K., and Hughes, A. (2016). The use of mobile apps to enhance student learning in introduction to psychology. Teach. Psychol. 43(1):48–52. 
Zhu, E., Kaplan, M., Dershimer, R. C., Bergom, I. (2011). Use of laptops in the classroom: Research and best practices (CRLT Occasional Papers 30). Ann Arbor, MI: Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, University of Michigan.

16. Citation
Sturman, S., Syms, C. (2019)Is there an App for That?, 5th Annual Social Work Distance Education Conference, San Antonio, Texas, April , 2019.