Evaluating technology for teaching and learning
Application chosen
Class
Unit of work
Applications
Learning intention
Age/Year Level
Is the application appropriate for the age
and year level of the students?
Is the reading level of the text and type
of media appropriate?
Curriculum links:
Are there links between the
content/functions of the application and
the expectations of the curriculum?
Are the content and examples relevant
to the curriculum?
Will this help teach the curriculum in
new or different ways?
Instructional content:
Is the information accurate, complete
and current?
Are sources reliable?
• Does the content encourage higher-
order thinking?
Is the content culturally appropriate?
Does it present multiple perspectives?
Engaging and interactive:
Will the learner(s) be actively involved in
using the tool?
Is feedback provided? Is the feedback
appropriate and meaningful?
Tickle IPad App https://tickleapp.com/
Year 7 TAS: digital technologies
Programming a game
Programming little robots, drones, Arduino boards or using
the software without a device through simulation
Introduction to coding using the tickleapp to program the
Sphero through the maze and program a simulation
This program uses drag and drop
Yes blockly coding to engage
students, young or new to code
Language is simple, media is
Yes
colourful and playful
Yes, there are strong links
between understanding coding
Yes
and iterations and the blockly
style setup of the app
easy to use and apply content to
Yes
digital technologies curriculum
Using the SAMR model, allows for
scaffolded learning for all abilities
and augmentation of learning.
Yes Students can start simply and
code a simulation using orca, or a
robot: sphero or use it to
program a drone
The App is backed by hour of
Yes code, kids coding the curriculum
and Digital Technologies hub
Allows drag and drop block
coding and teaches kids about
variables, algorithmic thinking (if
statements) and logic in coding. A
Yes
key component of the digital
curriculum (Digital Technologies
and ICT | NSW Education
Standards, 2022).
Content doesn’t specify race,
N/A
religion or cultural backgrounds
Immediate feedback is provided
Yes to the user regarding the code
working or not
Feedback regarding the code
Yes being successful is provided, but
it leaves the student to question

Assessment:
Are assessment tasks included, or can
the teacher develop relevant assessment
tasks that link to the use of the tool?
Flexibility:
Can all aspects of the tool be integrated
easily into classroom activities?
Can the tool be used for multiple
curriculum units?
Media:
Does the medium used support or
distract from the learning activity?
Usability:
Is the tool easy to use and intuitive?
Technical considerations:
Does the tool work consistently?
Are there special technical requirements
for using the tool? Does the school have
access to those requirements?
Support materials:
Does the tool have multiple forms of
help (manuals, context-sensitive help,
and tutorials)?
Are teaching support materials or online
resources available to help a teacher
embed the tool into lessons?
their coding if it is wrong. Some
teacher input may be required
The app has increasing level of
complexity that can be developed
Yes/No
into tasks that link to the creation
of assessment tasks
Can be easily accessed, used to
Yes
create evidence of learning
Many aspects of the Australian
Curriculum are including digital
Yes technologies. Programs could be
written to satisfy other subject
areas
The medium is appropriate and
helps students learn code
without becoming overwhelming
No
when trying to write the code in
text. It is interactive and useful
with drag and drop code blocks
It has little indicators and shapes
Yes to show students what blocks of
code can nest into others.
supported on the app store and
Yes
via updates
iPads are required to download
Yes this software
Tutorials are available to help
students. Staff have access to
example programs in Hour of
Yes
Code (Hour of Code: Anybody
Can Learn, n.d.)
https://hourofcode.com/au/learn
Hour of Code have good support
Yes materials as does the app’s site
and Kids Codding the Curriculum
site