Kwenton+And+AfterTheDeadline+API's

For those of you wondering what Application Programming Interface is, it basically refers to the structures used to control the interaction/communication of various applications. These are what allow all active computer users, including students, to perform most actions when using applications installed on their desktop computer and most importantly those on the Web. This is possible through baring a restricted amount of an application internal structure to everyone. Hence, other applications would be able topart and use such data on others’ behalf thus avoiding the developers’ necessity to share their code. (Proffitt, 2013)

//__**Why and where should these be incorporated in the students learning experience?**__// Considering that today we are becoming more globalised and the students’ lives are revolving around technology, I believe that they would like to live at school the life they are experiencing outside. This is further discussed in Alan’s article when he describes the education of an individual as a “team”. The educators, students and their guardians are the main players; however, a better result can be achieved if they are supported by innovative, recent resources such as API’s. This is because such tools promote: collaboration, ease to find information and data, and the analytic process. This later will also help the educator to determine what mechanisms are/are not suited for a particular student. It also helps to create a personalized learning experience with optimized results and all the necessary support these students may require to thrive in their future employment. (Alan, 2015)

Mobile and online applications are a very common way of how such API’s can be incorporated in schools. There are various public API’s, in fact Alan mentions the following: Mendeley, Education.Com, Quizlet Flashcards and Versal Gadgets. These API’s allow worldwide collaboration between parents, students and teachers and a great way to monitor students’ performance. Students can even join groups and transform the typical “passive” learning experience into an interactive, exciting one. API’s allow the connection of the curriculum with the outside world; connection with the actual job positions that these students will have after their schooling years. It caters for different learning needs thus facilitating the process for students with disabilities. (Alan, 2015) After the Deadline API Amongst the above ways such as using API’s to create their own flashcards when using different applications, there are other ways how these can be incorporated in class. One particular API is the //**After the Deadline API**//. This is API specifically checks English spelling, styling and grammar mistakes. It is available on various platforms, libraries, plugins etc including WordPress. After downloading this API, students, especially those whoare foreign to the language, will have this “service” which will help them to write better English. (After the Deadline) Furthermore, it is also free to use and download and besides underlining with a red line the incorrect word/phrase, it also offers possibilities such as ignoring the error or the non-English name. This will surely create a better and more personalized learning experience for the individual (Kumar, 2013)

Knewton API //**Knewton API**// is another great tool for effective learning. Knewton’s website describes it as if “Having the world’s smartest tutor right at your fingertips.” This API will select the suitable, most appropriate content for the students depending on his/her areas of interest from the vast library available online. This helps students to retrieve all necessary information in a very short time without the need to spend time searching for documents. It aims at creating a personalized, supported and challenging experience for all kinds of students irrelevant of the background. It will help every child to achieve his/her goals. (Personalized learning-made smart, easy and free)

All this clearly depicts reasons why I think that API’s should be incorporated in the students learning experience. Manfred Bortenschlager also agrees with these arguments andmaintains that APIs also help to systematize very difficult tasks, interest more students as it is less boring compared to the traditional methods of learning, improves one’sspan of attention and stimulates innovation. Efficiency for all areas is improved; including simplified ways of exchanging data. (Bortenschlager, 2014)

__**// References: //**__ //After the Deadline//. (n.d.). Retrieved from [|http://www.afterthedeadline.com/]

Alan. (2015, May 28). //Learning your ABCs using APIs – APIs in Education//. Retrieved from IBMDevelopersWork: []

Bortenschlager, M. (2014, August 13). //Built to Innovate: The Benefit of APIs in Higher Education//. Retrieved from 3scale: []

Kumar, R. (2013, February 21). //After The Deadline : English Grammar Check WordPress Plugin//. Retrieved from Blog for Bloggers: Shout me Loud: []

//Personalized learning-made smart, easy and free//. (n.d.). Retrieved from Knewton: []

Proffitt, B. (2013, September 19). //What APIs Are And Why They're Important//. Retrieved from readwrite: []