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