About the Application
Product Name: Close Gap
URL: https://www.closegap.org/
Publisher: Close Gap
Cost: free
Goals
The Close Gap is a program used to track and monitor childrens’ emotions. It triages students using real-time emotional data which then allows the teacher or other educator to understand and intervene on emotional indicators before they negatively impact academics.
Program Evaluation
Close Gap requires the children to do some sort of “emotional check in” on the program and then reports the results to the teacher. It can be used to de-escalate a situation before an outburst occurs.
Pros
It is free and easy to use.
Cons
Students need to “opt in” and guardians need to sign a COPPA and FERPA form. Some may be unwilling to do so.
The tool really doesn’t train users how to work with students who may be in distress and doesn’t offer any additional support, beyond telling the student to speak with an adult.