Evaluating Chrome Apps with #BMSwired Students

I actually can't believe I didn't blog about this already because this is one of my favorite activities from this year with the ChromeBooks!

A few months ago, one of our WOW Teachers (who has a ChromeBook cart in her classroom), Abby Laskowski, told me that she wanted to let her kids browse, evaluate and install a few apps from the Chrome Web Store, but she didn't want it to be a free-for-all.  So, we came up with a plan...

First, the students had to use a template I created to evaluate Math Chrome Apps.  They were given one class period to browse apps, read about them in the Chrome Web Store (but NOT install them!) and fill out the evaluation form.

The next class period, I came back to have them make some decisions.  First, the students each had to choose ONE of the apps they evaluated to present to the class.  We used Google Moderator for students to submit their choices.  Then, each student in the class voted for two of their favorite apps (we made them vote on two because they all vote for their own first!).  Last, we let the entire class install the top two Chrome Apps from their class.  (At this point the kids hadn't figured out yet that they could install apps at will!)

I encourage you to let your students explore the Chrome Web Store and evaluate Chrome Apps.  I think the next time I do this activity, however, I will include a presentation piece so the students have to verbally report back to their class, as well.

Are you using Chrome Apps with your students?  I'd love to hear which ones are your favorite!