App Smashing Reflection

This App Smash was created to impart information about the Civil Rights Movement in Georgia. My preferred grade level is either Middle School or High School and this App Smash would be appropriate for either 8th graders studying Georgia History or 10th graders studying United States History. This App Smash would either meet the 8th-grade History content standard SS8H11 The student will evaluate the role of Georgia in the modern civil rights movement. This would also meet United States History content standard SSUSH22 The student will identify dimensions of the Civil Rights Movement, 1945-1970.

The App Smash is appropriate for this audience of either 8th graders or 10th graders because it engages students in a wide variety of ways. Students will be able to engage with various primary and secondary sources rather than simply listen to a teacher or Media Specialist prattle on about this topic. Learning can also be customized or differentiated utilizing Universal Design for Learning.

I chose the apps I did for this App Smash because of a wide variety of reasons. I had previously created a ThingLink as part of a content curation assignment for another class. I verified that the links were working (a great majority of them were not) and updated them accordingly. Once I updated the links and ensured that they were all appropriate, I created a PowToon video and then uploaded it to YouTube. Each of these apps was chosen because they are very user-friendly. This topic was chosen because this is one of my favorite topics I love to learn about.

I specifically chose various types of media for this project that are evocative. Each type of material presents very specific attitudes and gives the viewer a feel for what attitudes certain individuals faced and what attitudes others presented. For example, there is a video clip of students reacting to the integration of the University of Georgia in January 1961. The attitudes exhibited by many of the UGA students would be jarring to students in the present day. In contrast, there is also a video of an SNCC official discussing the Civil Rights Act. Opposing viewpoints always provide the best understanding of what was actually occurring during a period of time.

There are several design decisions I have made of which I am very proud. I am very proud of the topic chosen for this App Smash. My passion for and love of this topic is front and center. I do not think that I fully understood the concept of App Smashing, but I made my best effort. I think that I could have included more tools in the App Smash, and might try to incorporate another tool. (Note: I have begun a S'more about this topic for potential inclusion in the App Smash).

I adapted this App Smash from a content curation that I had previously submitted for another class. Since I had to update the links for this assignment, the other assignment reflects the changes. This is a good thing, though, because some of the links were dead. I did not use a previously prepared App Smash, though. I did make changes, though, in that I added in the YouTube video and rather than use a button that was similar, I used the letter A for this tag. If/when I create the S'more link, I will use the letter B for that link.