Community reviews for Freckle

Despite the need for some minor improvements, Front Row has some strong points to be sure. Chief among them is that there are multiple questions for every math standard, grades K-8, all linked to progress tracking and virtual report cards. Also, worksheets are available for download based on students' individual needs. Another benefit is that questions are visually reminiscent of the Smarter Balance test, which can help familiarize students with the test format. A disadvantage is the user interface, which can be clunky and may not be intuitive to all students (beware the 'x' in the upper corner, or you may need to start your pre-test over from the beginning!). The teacher side of things is thorough, including customizable tables comparing students and/or standards, but could also use some cleaning up to improve the user experience. Scrolling though lists of standards in order to compare student performance would be greatly improved with a search or preset function, and help this app move a little closer to the front of the class.

I really enjoyed using this app. I like the interest it generates, the differentiation, and conversations it starts. At a glance, I could see which of my students were at a 1st grade level and which were at a 5th grade level. It created a challenge for the high-ability students. The students at the lower end had trouble understanding the videos, but most of these students need hands on instruction with a live teacher. I'd say about 90% of the class were able to access and understand the app.

This is an app that differentiates each students' math experience. The teacher creates an account and receives a student code. The students then log in with the code and supply their own name. The student is forced to take a pretest upon logging in for the first time. The test adjusts to the student's performance as they move through the test so the questions get easier if the student is struggling and harder if they continue to solve the problems correctly. The app then starts the student at a specific Common Core standard and allows them to practice while providing manipulatives and "scratch paper". I really like Front Row as an app to provide independent practice for students. I have also compared the content with the SBAC test that some states will be giving in the spring. The questions are definitely based on Common Core material, but the questions are either fill in the answer via a number pad, or multiple choice. It does not include questions which have to be manipulated or those which have multiple answers. I would suggest using this for independent learning time. Front Row keeps track of a students progress so you can monitor where each student is. When students complete work in Front Row, they receive coins. The coins are reset each day. The purpose of the coins is unclear. There is also a place where a student can turn pages to provide more work space, but there is nothing to indicate this is an option. If a student touches too close to the edge of the screen, the page will turn and it is difficult to get it to turn back to the question. There is a very recent update to Front Row. The Front Row creators have announced major changes in the app. I found that there is now an FAQ button at the top of the screen that is very useful for teachers to look at to learn about the details of the program.