Product Review of Defined STEM

Provides interactive and realistic lessons built around careers. This app also provides a platform for learners to gain in-depth knowledge and apply it practically. It is ideal for K-12 grades.
Website: https://www.definedlearning.com/
What Users Love About the App
“My students love the Defined STEM performance tasks. They use skills to complete cross-curricular projects that are both educational and fun. It allows them to think outside the box and explore new topics they may have never thought of. The resources provided by Defined STEM allow the students to set the stage for the entire project while making room for individual student creativity.”
“The performance tasks are extremely thorough, result in student products, and cover key concepts in science and math.”
“I plan to do it again next year. I can’t give a much better recommendation than that! As a teaching tool, I appreciate knowing what the reading level of the articles is so I can get things to my students who struggle, but they can still contribute. One thing I added was a jigsaw activity. I assigned each student in a group to read one of the articles provided. They then met with students from other groups who read the same article. After discussing the article, the group came up with a list of important ideas from the reading. They took this back to their home group and shared what they learned from reading the article.”
“I have been wanting to delve into project-based learning and this helped to create the structure and give me the tools to implement it in my 4th-grade classroom. Even my students who have special needs such as ADHD and autism were actively engaged in the activities. I loved the creativity that my students showed when creating the projects.”
“I really like how I can add and take things away from presentations. This way, I can make sure to meet the needs of my students.”
“I loved Defined STEM, especially for teachers who don’t know where to start with PBL. It gives them a beginning place to get going and all the resources required to complete it from beginning to end. I really like this product!”
What Users Dislike About the App
“Individualized student progress tracking and remediation tools are lacking.”
“I would adjust the numbers for the budget part to real-life situations and add the cost of the meal, transportation in more detail, and extra item lines on the budget for souvenirs and stops. The students really felt this could be a doable project for them in real life.”
“It was a good starting point but required independent instructor support to guide students in research techniques.”
“I thought that this product worked slow and made little sense, my students had trouble working it and overall disliked it.”