Literacy Apps
Storytelling
It's important for students of all ages to be able to convey their point of view in a compelling and well-structured way. Students must learn to present their ideas and express themselves creatively. Of course, digital tools have expanded the range of ways students can now tell their stories. The storytelling apps on this list run the gamut: from traditional storybook creation tools to more recent visual storytelling and presentation tools influenced by social media and blogging — all of which empower kids to find their unique voices as storytellers, creators, orators, and individuals. See also: Apps for Writing.
Apps reviewed by Common Sense Education.
Book Creator
Create and publish digital books and multimedia with this easy-to-use tool.
Imagistory
Illustrated story prompts let kids record their voice as they narrate premade picture books.
Kid in Story Book Maker
A social story creation tool for teachers in special-needs settings.
My Story Book Creator
An introduction to digital storytelling and book-publishing that combines drawing, stickers, photos, voice, and text.
Pictello
Pictello is an interactive storytelling app that lets students and kids make virtual storybooks with their own titles, photos, videos, and captions. It can be especially useful for kids who have difficulty understanding social cues, reading facial expressions, and interpreting body language. Different options for how text and pictures are read or uploaded support different types of learners. A library of sample stories can help fuel the creative process. Stories within the library show kids who have learning difficulties and special needs.
Scribble Press
Book-creation and -publication app that kids can use to write and illustrate stories, publish them online or in print, and view other kids' books.
Shadow Puppet Edu
Slideshow creation tool allows students to create video presentations using images from the built-in library, and adding their own narration and text. Can be used across content areas.
TeleStory
Video creation tool that gives kids a background scene, face-detecting costumes, cue cards, and special effects to create their own themed TV shows. Videos can be shared or published on TeleStory's moderated video channel, ToonTube.
Tell About This
Photo and word prompts inspire storytelling, and the app records the results. This versatile tool can be used as a pre-writing or publishing activity.
Toontastic 3D
Build stories featuring 3D characters, while learning about the basics of storytelling — setting, conflict, challenge, climax, and resolution.
Write About This
Images and prompts inspire kids of all ages to write, with increasing depth and complexity at higher levels. Students can create new prompts using their own images and ideas.
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