The challenge
A common thread today’s educators are unraveling the way using technology in the classroom has historically encouraged consumption, rather than creation. Many agree that students benefit from learning how to interact with technology and using it to express their ideas, especially when compared to passive watching or consuming media.
Craig Dunlap, Blending Learning Teacher at Yealey Elementary School, is no exception and actively tackles this challenge by using multiple softwares to teach students a wide range of skills — but most importantly — cultivate creative thinking.
The solution
Use a “tech smashing” approach – combining multiple creative platforms, like ThingLink, Book Creator, and WeVideo, to produce layered and interactive projects.- ThingLink specifically allows students to create an augmented reality experience, then integrate videos related to that experience (created through WeVideo).
- The generative AI tools integrated into these platforms also give students the ability to conceptualize and build in details related to class curriculum and books, allowing for more versatility.
The results
Students as young as first and second grade have been able to independently create immersive presentations, interactive eBooks, and videos.Examples include:
- Mystery storybooks written and illustrated by second graders, then filmed and turned into multimedia projects in WeVideo.
- Augmented reality scenes created in ThingLink, letting students interact with research projects in an immersive format.
- Book Creator anti-textbooks, where students redesigned how math content was presented in ways that they found engaging.
- Literature projects (like the book, Edward Tulane) using ThingLink’s 360° environments and WeVideo storytelling to recreate settings and scenes from the story.
- Robotics demonstrations, where students built projects with Hummingbird robots, then explained what they built with Book Creator and WeVideo.
Key takeaways
Everyone benefits from integrating multiple tools together. Students learn how to manipulate technology to share their unique POV, and educators can really take more of a facilitator role as they empower their students to connect the dots.Plus, using technology makes presentations more accessible to students, whether they’re nervous about speaking in front of the class or have other learning differences. Finally, app smashing supports collaboration among peers, because students share their different experiences to help each other (e.g., second graders coaching others in video editing).
Hear the full story
See the many ways Dunlap applied app smashing in action in his presentation from WeVideo's ENGAGE 2025 annual conference.
Practical strategies for educators
- It’s okay to start young as long as the focus is on creation – Educators can introduce tools like ThingLink as early as first grade to build digital literacy early.
- Combine tools strategically – In this case, Dunlap used ThingLink for augmented reality, Book Creator to build a narrative structure, and WeVideo for video storytelling.
- Facilitate student-led production – Encourage peer teaching and allow students to take ownership of the technical and creative process.
- Rethink traditional assignments – Instead of static reports or worksheets, ask: How can this be shown interactively through video, books, or immersive media?
- Offer real audiences – Showcase projects at parent nights or online platforms, to give students the full-circle moment of seeing audience reactions and solidifying the encouragement they’ve been getting in the classroom.