Product Review of Quill

Quill is a writing tutorial app for educators designed to help learners become better writers. Quill is a nonprofit organization, and its goal is to provide tools such as Quill to help make learners better writers. Quill uses web applications to create engaging contents for learners that helps them learn grammar, writing skills, and vocabulary. Using the educator dashboard, you can monitor learners’ progress according to the Common Core Standards; this feature also makes grading more intuitive and meaningful.
Website: https://www.quill.org/
What Users Love About the App
“I just discovered this site. I am using it as a review activity for students. I really like that not only does it help with grammar review, but with typing skills, as well as editing. I am very optimistic that this will help in the transition from grade level- to grade level.”
“I love this program. The whole class instruction is very engaging for students of all abilities. I have also had the opportunity to introduce this software into a co-teaching classroom environment where students range from very advanced to very delayed.”
“Quill has been an exceptionally useful tool in the classroom. They have fully scripted lessons, as well as practice activities. A great way for students to practice grammar skills.”
“I am so happy to have found Quill. This tool is such a time saver. I plan on using this as my primary grammar and writing tool next year to keep track of student progress and skill acquisition.”
“This is a great teaching tool. I love how independent the work is, though my students still ask for help when they need it in class, and several of them have redone assignments to improve their scores.”
What Users Dislike About the App
“The only thing I would wish quill had was audio support for the lower ELL learners when they are doing their independent practice. I wish it was a little more visually appealing for the K-5 students.”
“I would like for it to be a little bit more user-friendly. I would like all of the categories to be on the same homepage.”
“I would like to be able to add my own words lists in for the storyboard use. I would also like to have various levels for even the lessons that need to be learned. For example, the Their, there, they’re lesson required typing the entire sentence.”
“I’d love a webinar/video training on the whole class activities (I’m still confused as to how those work!). I do wish that teacher lesson would be a bit more accessible.”
“Students get immediate feedback when they make errors, which is helpful, but the feedback that they get isn’t so great – they are told that they have made a mistake, but not what they should do to fix it next time. Teachers are able to see students’ progress in a snapshot, but not the timing and performance stats that are given on other practice websites.”