Explain Everything

An interactive whiteboard app that allows you to put your ideas into a visual representation all from a smart device. Explain Everything is an app that makes your ideas come to life. Unfortunately, this is a paid app, but you can sign up for a free 30 day trial. This 30 day trial will allow you to decide if you would like to continue using the app or bring it to your administrators for a possible school account. Explain Everything is a presentation app where teachers or students can create presentations to explain different things. Some examples include the differences between words, how to solve a math problem, or adjustments to a picture or diagram.

Negatives: Explain Everything advertises that you are able to bring your ideas into a new form- you are able to put your ideas from your head down in an app format. However, I do not see the benefit of this particular app. The drawings on the homepage make it look like I would be able to transform pictures or diagram into what I picture in my head. I only find that the app allows you to color over a picture. I also thought that I would get to maneuver drawings and clipart in my presentation, but I find that this cannot be done. In addition, I was extremely disappointed that you can’t edit your projects from the computer. You are only able to edit the projects in the app (downloaded onto a smart phone or tablet) once you have duplicated them to your own local projects (even though the accounts are linked). Finally, if you were to download the app for your free trial, the free trial is also for the app. You only have 30 days to try out the program and then you do not have the option to create more than a one slide presentation (without recording your voice).

Lesson Ideas: For this app, if you have the 30 day trial, I would first use one of the already created presentations to see how your students respond to that type of presentation. If your students do not like the style, then there is no reason to continue using it. We want to reach as many students as possible as teachers and if this app does not reach them, then don’t use it. If they do like this app, then try creating your own presentation. Once they see you creating these presentations, your students, the older ones especially, will more than likely want to give it a try themselves. At this point, you can give them an assignment that requires them to use their Explain Everything presentation in some way.

Below I have included a gallery of important screens that might come up during your free trial period.