Stick Pick 2.0 is LIVE in the App Store for iPhone & iPad!

One purchase. No required subscription. Create a local backup of your classroom anytime. Optional Backup and Sync keeps everything up-to-date across devices.

Stick Pick

Completely rebuilt from the ground up, Stick Pick transforms every day classroom conversations into meaningful insights.

What began as a smarter way to randomly call on students has evolved into a complete teaching companion for questioning assessment small group instruction, attendance, and instructional decision-making.

Choose for more than 400 organized questions stems across Bloom's Taxonomy, Costa's Levels of Questioning, Webb's Depth of Knowledge (DOK) and English Language Development (ELD). Whether you're teaching whole-class, guided reading, intervention, or small groups, Stick Pick keeps the right questions within reach.

But asking great questions is only the beginning.

As students respond, Stick Pick captures formative assessment that would otherwise disappear at the moment class moves on. Record language, development, response, quality, participation, and learning progress in seconds -- without interrupting instruction.

Overtime, Stick Pick reveals patterns that are difficult to spot in the moment. See who's consistently growing, who's ready for greater challenge, and who may benefit from additional support. Smart instructional suggestions help you make informed decisions while keeping every teaching decision in your hands.

Design designed for real classrooms

• 400+ organized question stems
• Blooms taxonomy, Costas levels, Webbs, DOK, and ELD frame
• Whole class instruction and integrated small group
• Attendance tracking
• Fast deformative assessment while you you teach
• Progress tracking and learning
• Instructional suggestions based on student performance
• Flexible, class student, and roster management
• Free backup files, with optional cloud sync across devices
• Built to be fast enough for live classroom instruction

Built by a classroom teacher

Every feature in Stick Pick was designed around one goal: Helping teachers spend less time, managing information and more time teaching students.

Whether you're leading a whole-class discussion, rotating through guided reading groups, checking, attendance, or tracking student growth overtime, Stick Pick helps you capture the learning that matters -- and turn it into insights you can use tomorrow.

Teaching is full of moments that matter.  Stick Pick helps you capture them.

Stick Pick Sync is an optional auto renewing subscription: $2.99 per month or $24.99 per year. Everything else in Stick Pick is included with your purchase and requires no subscription.

Stick Pick Sync is an auto renewing subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple account at confirmation of purchase and renews automatically unless cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manager cancel in your device settings. Terms of use: https://stickpick-terms.carrd.co Privacy Policy: https://stickpick-privacy.carrd.co

Delete, Then Reinstall To Fix Problem

To those of you leaving negative reviews due to suddenly not being able to save classes after installing the Stick Pick 1.10 update: if you delete the app, and then reinstall it, it will work fine. 

This update was necessary due to Dropbox retiring a back-end service we depended on for sync. We had to move sync to another provider, and the databases don't integrate. So, that's the story.

I wanted the update to be as painless as possible, and I'm sorry you're frustrated, but sometimes, these things happen. 

Two suggestions: first, send to yourself your students' previous scores if you want to save those. Second, save yourself some time and import your roster from a CSV file via Dropbox. 

Sorry for the inconvenience; please let me know if this works for you.

iOS 9.1 Bug Has Been Squashed

Thanks for your patience! The pesky bug that caused iPads to crash when tapping the Settings button has been eradicated. Please feel free to update Stick Pick at this time.

Update on iOS 9.1 bug in "Settings"

There is major change in the programming structure for iOS 9 and the coding must be checked thoroughly. Although I'm happy to report that I have tested the beta version on iPad, and that it works well; the one hiccup is that before I can release it, I still need to test it on iPhone, but presently, the beta won't install on my device. I should have a version for testing by next week, and assuming everything checks out, Apple will need a few days to review/approve it. So hopefully, it should be about two weeks from now. Thanks for your patience.

iOS 9.1 Update Breaks a Few Things

You're not alone. Unfortunately, the recent iOS 9.1 update breaks a few buttons in Stick Pick. Being a sophisticated user of smart devices, I'm sure you're aware that debugging apps is an ongoing process. Although it's disappointing whenever a bug is detected, it's a necessary reality in order that improvements can be made, and boundaries can be pushed. Not only Stick Pick users, but it's also been reported that all developers are facing issues in iOS 9.

Known Issues:
1) Immediately after updating her iPad to iOS 9.1, a user reported (and I confirmed today on my own device) that Stick Pick on iPads crash when user selects a class, and then taps the 'Settings' button. When a user selects a class, and then taps 'Settings,' the app springboards back to the Home Screen. This is a new error as a result of installing iOS 9.1. Restarting your device does not help. Uninstalling and then reinstalling the app also does not help. This issue pertains to classes added to Stick Pick prior to the update, as well as new classes added to Stick Pick.

 2) It was also just brought to my attention that if you click on 'Scores' and then press the 'Done' button, app is crashing similarly. We are rigorously checking all functionalities.

Please email support at buzz@stickpickapp.com if you find any other bugs related to the new iOS 9.1. I will update this post, and add it to our list. I can assure you that we are working on bugs as I type. Thanks for your awesome support!

Sync & Import Are Here (on an iOS Device Near You)!

Announcing our biggest, most significant update to Stick Pick since its initial launch. We’re committed to making Stick Pick the go-to teacher tool for building equity, differentiating instruction, promoting critical thinking, improving classroom management, collecting formative assessment data, and supporting the Common Core (CCSS).

Here’s what’s new:
• Sync. Now, teachers can keep their data synchronized across all their iOS devices, via Dropbox.
• Import class rosters from Dropbox. Create a CSV file in your favorite spreadsheet application, upload it to Dropbox, and import it right from within Stick Pick.
• View scores for an entire class, all from one screen.
• Share whole-class scores in a variety of popular file formats, such as Excel, PDF, or CSV via AirDrop, Message, Mail, Print, and more…
• Set Class Default for any class. (For example, now you can start with everyone at the same level of difficulty).
• Disable Class Default. Differentiate for individual learners by moving them higher or lower as needed without changing the rest of the class.
• Reorder the list of classes from the Classes screen.
• Swipe to delete a class right from the Classes screen.
• Swipe to delete a student directly from the Roster screen.
• Attach a Student ID to each student.
• Using just one, two, or all three identifiers is now permitted when adding students to a class (i.e. First Name; and/or Last Name; and/or Student ID).
• New Hidden Toolbar lets users search for students across all classes or within a particular class; also provides a shortcut to the new App Settings screen. (Swipe down from Classes, Sticks, and Roster screens to reveal hidden toolbar).
• New “Scores" Button in the lower tab bar menu lets users view a whole class of students' scores all at once.
• Improved overall appearance of buttons to align more with iOS 8.
• Fixed bug that wouldn’t respond to “Shake to Pick”
• Added a new "Sync on WiFi Only” toggle switch that gives users the choice to limit synchronization only when connected via WiFi
• Various cosmetic enhancements, including the overall look of most buttons to align more with iOS8.
• Various bug fixes

When Students Ask The Questions

Want to increase the depth of understanding and levels of questioning going on in your classroom? There's an app for that.

Sometimes, we teachers need a little help coming up with the right question for the right learner at the right time, which is where an app like Stick Pick can come in real handy.

But did you know that students can benefit greatly if they're the ones asking each other questions, too? Here's an easy way to encourage students to ask one another better questions:

First, download Stick Pick to all student devices. Stick Pick gives students the tools to pose thoughtful questions, assess, and even rate their classmates' responses, all on their iOS or Android mobile devices.

If you haven't done so already, create cooperative learning groups in your class. Groups of three to five members works best. Next, have students launch Stick Pick and create their own "class" on their devices and then input the first and last name of each member of their small group. Then, it's time to set each learner's mode and level. This step determines the kinds of question stems that will appear when a learner's stick is drawn. Students can set each learner's mode and level to any degree of difficulty they choose, or, you may prefer to have them set all learners to a specific level. For example, perhaps you want your students to practice asking and answering questions at the "Bloom's: Synthesis" level. Simply direct your students to set each learner's default mode and level to "Bloom's: Synthesis."

You're all set. So the next time you ask your small groups to discuss the latest chapter, article, or poem you've assigned, they'll be asking better questions which will lead to better answers and deeper discussions. And when peers start assessing and rating each other's answers, you'll really start to see an increase in student engagement as well.

How are you using Stick Pick in your classroom?

Additional Features in Development

Thank you so much for your patience and positive reviews in the app store! I'm happy to report that the iOS 7 update that crippled the "Settings" button on iPads has been resolved. But instead of merely fixing that glitch, I decided to give the entire app an iOS 7 "facelift." I hope you will agree that Stick Pick is now more in line with Apple's new iOS 7 look and feel.

I'm currently working on a "sync" feature that will allow data to be synchronized across all iOS devices. The sync feature will allow teachers who own more than one iOS device to use their devices interchangeably. For example, a teacher may use his or her iPad in class and then access a student's data from their iPhone while in a conference or at home. Also in the works is an "import roster" feature as well as an "export data" feature. Look for these features and more in the coming months.

iOS 7 "Settings" Bug Fix Being Resolved

Just a quick note regarding the recent iOS 7 update: We are aware that the Settings screen is unresponsive on the iPad since the iOS 7 update. I would like to assure all Stick Pick users that we are working to resolve the issue. We are concurrently working on an iOS 7 "facelift" to bring the overall look and feel of Stick Pick more in line with the new iOS 7 user interface. We're sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. Stay tuned, and thanks for using Stick Pick.

Coming this Fall to Stick Pick for iOS devices: Import from Dropbox and iCloud Sync.

Stick Pick Now Available on Kindle Fire!

Attention Kindle Fire users: Stick Pick, the popular iOS teacher tool app that supports higher order thinking and ESL question stems is now available in the Amazon Marketplace. Just last week, Google accepted the Android version of the app into its Google Play Store. Prior to that, Stick Pick had only been available for iPhones and iPod touch devices (and iPads with 2X pixel doubling). Stick Pick for iOS received a long-awaited update, turning it into a Universal App, which means current iPhone users receive the iPad version for free. The update adds landscape mode for iPad, as well as a more intuitive "assess" button, replacing the small checkbox.

The wait is finally over. Stick Pick, the popular iOS teacher-tool app, is finally available for Android tablets and smartphones. Since Stick Pick first became available in the iTunes app store back in June, 2011, over 25,000 users have found it to be among their most useful classroom apps. In addition to being an Apple "Staff Pick" for a few weeks last year, Stick Pick has been, and continues to be among Apple's "Top 100" Education apps. Presently, it's featured in a special "Instructional Tools" section on iTunes, providing precious exposure. Stick Pick's user base continues to grow. On average, Stick Pick acquires anywhere from 1,000 - 2,000 new users per month.  News of the app spreads via word of mouth, through social media outlets, blogs, and at conferences, staff meetings, and presentations around the world.

In addition to its release on the Google play store, Stick Pick is also coming to the Amazon Marketplace later this week.

Currently, Stick Pick is under review at Apple for its much needed iPad update, an update that will take advantage of the iPad's larger screen. Users who have already purchased Stick Pick will automatically receive the app on their iPads. 

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

Waiting in line. Waiting for water to boil. The DMV. Disneyland. The doctor's office. Delays. I had hoped for a summer release of the Android version of Stick Pick, as well as the Universal iOS version (with better iPad resolution) but unfortunately, development is taking longer than I had anticipated. While the Android version could drop any day, the soonest the iOS Universal version will be released has now been pushed to December, 2012. On the bright side, last week, iOS 6 was released without any adverse affect on Stick Pick. Some of you may recall that the release of iOS 5, Apple's fifth update to iOS, actually caused a pesky little text-size formatting issue in Stick Pick. Fortunately, in less than a week, we pushed out an update that promptly fixed the problem, but updates are notorious for breaking little things in apps, and I'm fortunate that Stick Pick appears to be running normal. 

There are numerous features I'd like to see come to fruition in future updates to Stick Pick -- many of which users have already contacted me about: such as import/export of student data, syncing across devices, making anecdotal records, and a host of other really cool ideas. I can assure you that these features will incrementally make it into Stick Pick. Until then, I appreciate your continued support and for using Stick Pick.

Happy Birthday, Stick Pick!

Since its debut in the iTunes App Store on June 2, 2011, just over one year ago this week, thousands of teachers and administrators from all over the world have been discovering how easy it is to incorporate higher order thinking skills into their daily lesson plans.

Although it has been a successful year for my development team and I, we are continually working on Stick Pick to make it even better. Got and iPad? Wouldn't it be great if Stick Pick could take advantage of all that screen real estate? Get ready, because this summer, Stick Pick is coming to iPad.

"What?" You may ask, "Stick Pick already works on iPad..."

True, but using Stick Pick on the iPad is like using a giant, pixelated version of the iPhone version. While this does technically work, it's not very elegant. That's why over this past year, I redesigned the user interface for iPad to take full advantage of its large screen, as well as integrated an optional "landscape" mode. But the best part is, Stick Pick is going to be released as a "universal app," which means, this summer, iPhone and iPad users won't need to purchase the app again! The update will be free!

But perhaps the most exciting Stick Pick-related news of the summer is that Stick Pick is coming to Android! Currently in its final stages of beta-testing, Stick Pick, like it's iOS cousin, has also been in development for several months. Similarly, Stick Pick for Android will also be available as a single application, optimized for both smartphone and tablet form factors. So, get ready for the Summer of Stick Pick!

And as always, thank you for your comments, emails, and suggestions. Keep them coming. We're listening!

Stick Pick is an Apple Staff Favorite

This week, Apple is featuring "Stick Pick" in the Education category of the App Store under "Staff Favorites!" It's reassuring to know that teachers aren't the only ones aware of how important it is to encourage young learners to think more critically and support English language aquistion. Because of this move, more and more teachers are finding Stick Pick and discovering how easy it is to integrate Bloom's Taxonomy and higher order thinking questions into their daily lessons. Thanks Apple! And thank you teachers! Share how you're using Stick Pick in your classroom!

New Support Site for Stick Pick

Welcome to our new support site. We're still moving content over from the previous support site, but much of it's here now. I look forward to making Stick Pick the best teacher tool possible. As always, if you can think of any features you'd like to see in a future update, please let me know!

Features Coming Soon:
-Android version
-High res support for iPad with landscape mode
-Much, much more...

Thanks for stopping by!

-Buzz Garwood
Stick Pick

New Stick Pick Support Support Site Coming Here Soon

In response to Apple's decision to discontinue iWeb, their website design software, I am recreating the Stick Pick support website using Blogger. With Google's support, it may prove to be more reliable option for over long term. It's currently under construction -- which explains why many pages are mere shells at the moment. This site will go "live" on or before June, 2012. Thanks for your patience. For questions about Stick Pick, or for general Stick Pick app support, email me here:

Buzz "at" StickPickApp "dot" com.

Thanks!

Enhance Instruction & Student Engagement With Bloom's Taxonomy

Stick Pick is an iPhone / iPod Touch / iPad “teacher tool” application that allows you to randomly (or intentionally) draw a student’s name from an on-screen can of popsicle sticks -- but that’s just the beginning. You determine the mode and level of difficulty for each learner, and then, every time that student’s stick is drawn, you’ll be shown over a dozen Bloom’s-style question stems -- uniquely tied to your learner’s individual ability level! 

Stick Pick offers over 140 question stems, organized by cognitive and linguistic level, so teachers can quickly and conveniently ask the right question to the right learner at just the right time. With Stick Pick teachers promote higher order thinking skills, English language development, and equity among learners of all levels.

Got a high achiever in your class? Choose “Bloom’s Mode: Evaluation” and Stick Pick will display question stems at the highest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy for that student whenever his or her stick is drawn. Got an English Language Learner new to English? Choose “ESL Mode: Beginning” and Stick Pick will display question stems at the beginning level.

Differentiate instruction, track formative assessment, enrich learning, and improve parent-school communication. 

Devices: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.2 or later.


Many Smart Features - One Innovative App

Finally -- no more sticks cluttering your desk! Now you can keep all your students’ sticks in one convenient place: on your mobile device!

• Create as many classes as you need

• Over 140 question stems categorized into three modes:

    -Bloom’s;

    -Bloom’s Revised; and 

    -ESL (English as a Second Language)

1. •Copy an entire class, with or without scores
2. •“Swipe up,” “tap,” or “shake” to call on a student
3. •Special “kerplunk” sound effect confirms you’ve added a student
4. •Level-appropriate question stems appear right on the screen
5. •Option to operate in Stick Only mode
6. •Sticks can be reset (put back in with the rest) or marked “used” in a special “used can.”
7. •Toggle between used and unused sticks with a single tap
8. •Option to “peek” into each can to deliberately pick a particular student 
9. •Operates in Left or Right Hand mode

• Track students using “Correct,” “Incorrect,” and “Opinion” buttons

• Track student responses with two rubrics:

    -Critical thinking rubric (Bloom’s & Bloom’s Revised mode)

    -Degree of elaboration rubric (ESL mode)

• E-mail student data to principal, parent, or any other interested parties