Apps that make you life easier?

Are you tech-savvy? Do you use apps for almost everything? If your answer is yes, you can check these apps to keep yourself up-to-date. If your answer is no, you can start learning about apps and how they can make your life easier- or not.

The final task will include two phases:

1. The first one will be an oral presentation in which you will choose an app that you will present to the rest of the class. 
2. The second one will be a writing assignment for which you will choose one of the apps presented during the lesson by your classmates and write a review.

Step 1:

in pairs or groups of three browse the following websites and choose an app you would like to present to the class.

• TurboScan™ - document & receipt scanner

• Moto X google now

• Apple Piles On the Features, and Users Say, ‘Enough!’

• The cow that tells cyclists to slow down: new technologies for congested cities

• Speed-reading apps: can you really read a novel in your lunch hour?

• Minuum Keyboard for iPhone video

• 2016 in Review: The Year’s Best Apps

• 24symbols video

• Translator

• whatsapp

Step 2:

Once you have chosen the topic for your presentation inform the teacher to avoid repetition. Only then start working on the content of your presentation. Decide what and how you are going to present it. You can use the following questions as a guide:

• What are we talking about?

• What are the advantages/disadvantages of using/having the app?

• How can you get it?

• What other apps can be used for the same purposes?

• Is it free?

• Would you recommend it? Why/ why not?

Step 3:

Get ready for your speech! First decide which part of the presentation each member is going to develop. Then, prepare a slideshow or any other kind of visual support you consider necessary to enhance your presentation. Finally, rehearse beforehand.

Step 4:

Once your turn has arrived deliver your speech and be ready to answer questions from the audience.

While the other groups present their own apps take down notes to remember important points for later use.

Step 5:

Once all the groups have finished, chose an app presented by another group and write a review. In the following article you will find a checklist which will guide you through the writing process:

What to include when reviewing mobile apps: a checklist

Step 6:

Submit your review through Edmodo.

This webquest was a starting point for the exploration new apps which you can use to improve communication. It was also a great opportunity to develop your critical thinking and argumentation skills.

The websites listed below will provide you with information for further exploration.

 Remember! When you hear about a new app, explore its qualities and be ready to express your own critical opinion about it.

Bibliography

Adams, T. (2017, April 8). Speed-reading apps: can you really read a novel in your lunch hour? The Guardian. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/apr/08/speed-reading-apps-can-you-really-read-novel-in-your-lunch-hour

Apple, Inc. (2017, May 29). TurboScan™ - document & receipt scanner. Retrieved June 6, 2017, from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/turboscan-document-receipt/id1017559099?mt=8

Boztas, S. (2017, May 24). The cow that tells cyclists to slow down: new technologies for congested cities. The Guardian. Retrieved June 8, 2017, from https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/may/24/cow-signs-cyclists-drivers-traffic-technology-congested-cities

Eaton, K. (2016, December 14). 2016 in Review: The Year’s Best Apps. The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/technology/personaltech/best-apps.html

Goel, V. (2017, June 2). Apple Piles On the Features, and Users Say, ‘Enough!’. The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/02/technology/apple-iphone-developer-conference.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FMobile%20Applications&_r=1

Henning, N. (2016, October 26). What to include when reviewing mobile apps: a checklist. Retrieved June 07, 2017, from http://nicolehennig.com/app-revew-checklist/

Motorola. (2013, September 02). Comerciales de Motorola Moto X. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQGE-7ZJP0k

Personal Argentina. (2017, April 17). ¡Disfrutá al máximo de Internet! Retrieved June 7, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXAChTqf4os

Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica 2013-2016. (2016). 24symbols | What is 24symbols? Retrieved June 07, 2017, from https://www.24symbols.com/help/whatis

WhatsApp Inc. (2017). WhatsApp Features. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from https://www.whatsapp.com/features/

Whirlscape. (2015, May 19). Minuum Keyboard. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from http://minuum.com/

Further Reading

Dredge, S. (2016, July 17). The 20 best apps for making videos. The Guardian. Retrieved June 8, 2017, from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/17/20-best-apps-making-videos

Eadicicco, L., Fitzpatrick, A., & Peckham, M. (2017, June 2). The 25 Best Apps of the Year So Far . Time. Retrieved June 8, 2017, from http://time.com/4801316/best-apps-2017/

Komando, K. (2017, April 28). 10 must-have apps for your phone. USA Today. Retrieved June 8, 2017, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2017/04/28/10-must-have-apps-your-phone/100847984/

All the images were licensed under the Creative Commons Non-Commercial license.

This page will be appropriate for the students studying English as a Foreign language at advanced level of proficiency. The students should have basic knowledge of vocabulary referring to technology. The WebQuest aims to foster the students' critical thinking skills by providing input which they will discuss and use for speaking and writing tasks.