2015 AASL Best Apps and Best Websites revealed!

Our committee vetted apps in five categories connected to AASL’s learning standards and in support of our instructional roles relating to inquiry-based teaching and learning.  The Committee recognized free and cost effective apps that foster the qualities of innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration and are user friendly to encourage a community of learners to explore and discover.

Here are those fabulous apps with tips for their use in your schools and libraries:

• Books
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
• Organization & Management
• Social Sciences
• Content Creation

The 2014/2015 Best Apps Committee was chaired by its founder Melissa Jacobs and included: Jennifer Helfrich, Joquetta Johnson, Melissa Johnston, Catharine Potter, Kathleen Roberts, Mary Ann Scheuer, John Schumacher, Laura Warren-Gross and me.

Immediately following that appy announcement yesterday, our sister committee announced the selections for AASL’s Best Websites for Teaching and Learning.

The 2015 Best Websites for Teaching & Learning are free, Web-based sites that are user-friendly and encourage a community of learners to explore and discover.  They are similarly aligned to our Standards and connected to our inquiry-based instructional goals.

• Media Sharing
• Digital Storytelling
• Manage & Organize
• Social Networking & Communication
• Content Resources
• Curriculum Collaboration

The 2014/2015 Best Websites Committee was chaired by Heather Moorefield-Lang and included:  Carla Bosco, Elizabeth Dumas, Lucy Green, Susan Hess, Jessica Hinman, Mary Johnson, Jane Lofton, Shannon Miller, Catherine Nelson, and Laura Sheneman

Nominations for Best Apps and Nominations for Best Websites for recognition at the 2016 ALA Annual Conference must be submitted by March 1, 2016.