DeckToys Review

DECKTOYS

"Deck Toys is an online classroom platform that allows you to teach and engage students interactively. It is a real-time and interactive environment, where teachers interact with students, and students can interact with each other in a classroom! You can plan interactive English lessons and use different modes such as teacher-led, and Free Mode which is student-paced and allows for self-exploration. Students can also collaborate or challenge another classmate in real time.

you can track how well each student is doing directly from the map. You may also generate a comprehensive classroom report with the Report app."

Taken from: What is Deck.Toys?

The rating criteria will be as follows: 5 = excellent, 4 = good, 3 = OK, 2 & 1 = weak

	Numeric rating
Evaluation Criteria	1				2
TECHNICAL DIMENSION	1	3	4	5	1	3	4	5
Platform. Includes information about operating system
Hardware. Includes information about the hardware requirements:  -processor type and speed hard drive space needed  -memory (RAM)  -CD, DVD, or floppy drive  Others…
Installation: does not require technical expertise to install and configure.
Allows upgrading
Allows local and network use				X				X
CONTENT
establishes age of possible users				X				X
is appropriate to the level of students				X				X
displayed concords with students’ age and level				X				X
presents an appropriate organization principle				X				X
includes all language skills: speaking, listening, reading, writing				X				X
Grammar and vocabulary correspond to level				X				X
enhances communicative competence				X				X
includes cultural dimension of language				X				X
Includes pronunciation activities				X				X
reflects a coherent approach to language teaching				X				X
specifies a theory of learning				X				X
presents objectives in each content unit				X				X
evaluates students achievement in varied forms				X				X
includes variety of activities				X				X
promotes students’ language production through interactive activities				X				X
USABILITY
Easy of use through a clear layout				X				X
Easy navigation				X				X
Includes help or tutorial segments to support activity development				X				X
Save/record keeping features				X				X
Includes quality images that enrich contents				X				X
Includes quality sounds to enrich  contents				X				X
Interface with internet for extended practice or support				X				X
SUPPORT
includes manual or training for learner and teacher				X				X
Includes supplementary materials				X				X
Includes help tool or designer contact for support				X				X
COST
Is price affordable			X				X
Price includes future upgrading			X				X
Price includes technical support if necessary				X				X
Total points:	143				143

On the App Dekctoys, you are given the option to start from scratch or to choose a template and modify what someone else has done before. You can plan whatever you want, you can offer different paths, options, a variety of activities (Grammar, Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing) although that means you will spend more time providing feedback.