4 Best News and Current Events Apps for Students

  • By
  • 01/12/15

Common Sense Media’s service Graphite, which offers independent ratings and reviews of learning apps and websites, has compiled this list of the best news and current events apps for students. For complete reviews, and for each app’s "Learning Rating," visit the Graphite website.


News-o-MaticNews-o-Matic
Grades: 1 through 4
Price: $9.99
Concepts:  Events, perspective-taking, forming arguments
News-O-Matic is a kid-centric daily news app covering topics from religion and politics to scientific discoveries and kid entrepreneurs. Teachers and students can read five current events articles daily, answer questions, chat with classmates about the stories and send questions to the editors. Read the full Graphite review.

 

News-2-YouNews-2-You
Grades: 2 through 6
Price: Free to try, with in-app purchases
Concepts:  Understanding symbols, vocabulary, reading
News-2-You is a symbols-based newspaper app for special needs students. The symbols-based and voice-supported articles allow teachers to adjust settings to fit each student's unique learning level and pace. Read the full Graphite review.  

 

NPR NewsNPR News
Grades: 9 through 12
Price: Free
Concepts: Citizenship, cultural understanding, critical thinking
The NPR News app is chock full of new and archived radio shows, articles, videos and images from National Public Radio’s news, politics, science, arts and pop culture programming. Older students benefit the most from the app, which features hourly news updates and the ability to create a playlist of stories and podcasts. Read the full Graphite review.  

 

NYTimes appNYTimes
Grades: 9 through 12
Price: Free to try, more access with paid subscription
Concepts: Text analysis, reading, global awareness
The NYTimes app, along with a paid subscription, offers full online and offline access to the newspaper's daily content. It’s an easy-to-use, comprehensive news resource, and despite only offering access to the front page without a subscription, the quality presentation of content makes the app especially conducive to deep learning. Read the full Graphite review.  

About the Author

Common Sense Education helps educators find the best edtech tools, learn best practices for teaching with tech, and equip students with the skills they need to use technology safely and responsibly. Go to Common Sense Education for free resources including full reviews of digital tools, ready-made lesson plans, videos, webinars, and more.


Featured

  • cloud with binary code and technology imagery

    Hybrid and AI Expansion Outpacing Cloud Security

    A survey from the Cloud Security Alliance and Tenable finds that rapid adoption of hybrid, multi-cloud and AI systems is outpacing the security measures meant to protect them, leaving organizations exposed to preventable breaches and identity-related risks.

  • handshake between two individuals with AI icons (brain, chip, network, robot) in the background

    Microsoft, Amazon Announce New Commitments in Support of Presidential AI Challenge

    At the Sept. 4 meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, Microsoft and Amazon announced new commitments to expanding AI education and skills training.

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • open laptop with various educational materials like charts, quizzes, and documents emerging from the screen

    Pear Deck Learning Debuts New AI Features

    GoGuardian recently introduced new artificial intelligence features within its Pear Deck Learning curriculum and instruction platform, designed to aid educators throughout their teaching journey — from lesson planning to assessment.