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Educational App Reviews (Touch and iPad)

This version was saved 13 years, 11 months ago View current version     Page history
Saved by Lucas Gillispie
on May 3, 2010 at 10:37:32 am
 

(Gillispie - Here are apps that we have used.  Here, let's break these into categories, perhaps similar to the app categories in the iTunes store?)


Books/Literature

 

iBooks for iPad

 

Description:  This is Apple's official eBook reader that allows access to their official bookstore.  eBooks using this reader can have font size adjusted to accommodate those with visual disabilities.  It allows a reader to highlight and bookmark sections of the book.  There's a built-in dictionary that will define highlighted words.  Page turning is either by tapping or sliding (to simulate actual page-turning).

 

Applications in the Classroom:  This application may potentially impact the textbook market in a big way.  In the future, we could possibly see books with integrated multimedia?  Perhaps.  Certainly, this is an excellent and cost-effective application for getting public domain books (classics, perhaps) to students (see note).

 

Price:  Free  (Some books are not, however.)

 

Notes:  This application allows free access to the 30,000+ titles available from Project Gutenberg!  

 

(5/3/2010) - Also, it seems that an eBook purchased through iBooks can be synced to all devices associated with that account.

 

Link:  iBooks in the App Store

 

Games With Educational Application

 

SIMS 3:

 

Description:  In this game, based on Will Wright's successful SIMS franchise, the player creates a virtual person, or SIM, and then helps that person live out their virtual life.  Your SIM can get a job, has hobbies, and even personality quirks that emerge when interacting with other SIMS.

 

Applications in the Classroom:  This has great potential for digital storytelling.  We have used this game to encourage students to consider others' points-of-view and as a foundation for creative writing.  We used it to create comics in conjunction with the Strip Designer app.  It also has some potential in sociology, for example, consider the Nickel and Dimed Challenge based on Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich.  

 

Price: $6.99 (as of 2/2010)

 

Notes: The game is rated 12+.

 

Link:  SIMS  3 in the App Store

 

 

Civilization Revolution:

 

Description:  This game is based on game designer, Sid Meier's, popular Civilization series.  Players assume the role of a historic leader and lead their civilization from very primitive early stages to the modern age.  While doing so, they will engage in diplomacy with neighboring cultures, develop science and technology, monitor their economy and culture, and engage in warfare with other civilizations.

 

Applications in the Classroom:  This game provides a great foundation for encouraging students to research historical leaders, events, and developments.  We have used it as a foundation for creative writing (such as journaling from a leader's point of view).  You could also discuss (and experiment) with historical events and "what-if" scenarios that could deepen students' understanding of historical events.

 

Price: $6.99 (as of 2/2010)

 

Notes: The game is rated 12+.

 

Link:  Civilization Revolution in the App Store

 

 

Spore Origins:

 

Description:  This App is based on the popular Spore series designed by Will Wright.  In this game, the player begins as a basic aquatic life form and develops adaptations that increase its survivability.  Your custom-designed creature might have extra eyes or powerful mandibles for eating smaller organisms.

 

Applications in the Classroom:  This game is somewhat beneficial for getting students to think about biological adaptations and survival of the fittest, though, as a player, you are clearly directing the flow of the game.  It has been useful to us as a starting point for writing project in language arts that are interdisciplinary.

 

Price: $1.99 (as of 2/2010)

 

Notes:  This game is rated 4+.  We don't recommend using this game for teaching strict biological concepts, but with guidance, it is good for overview and can allow for generalization.  It may be a great starting point for conversations comparing game play to actual biological phenomena.

 

"Eat the small things and stay away from the big things..." - Craig Lawson

 

Link:  Spore: Origins in the App Store

 

WordFu:

 

Description:  How many words can you spell from a random assortment of letters?  This fast-paced game allows you to hone your word skills solo or playing against another player on your network.

 

Applications in the Classroom:  We've used this App as a great way to engage students at the beginning or end of a class period.  It is ideal for getting students to think about their vocabulary and spelling.  The competition over WiFi is a very motivating factor for students.

 

Price: $0.99 (as of 2/2010)

 

Notes:  The competitive WiFi play is hit-or-miss on our network.  Occasionally students will disconnect from their game sessions.  Also, to "submit" a word during game play, you make a chopping motion with your iPod Touch.  Be sure students have a tight grip while playing!

 

Link:  Word Fu App in the App Store

 

 

Image Creation/Manipulation:

 

Sketches:

 

Description:  A great app for creating quick graphic organizers.  Integrate images, text, and boxes/bubbles to represent your thoughts.

 

Applications in the Classroom:  This application is fairly straightforward and simple to use.  We've used it as a tool for creating small, graphic organizers.

 

Price: $1.99 (as of 2/2010)

 

Notes:  Save the images and email them from the device to the teacher or post them to a wiki.  Easy assignment collection!

 

LinkSketches in the App Store

 

Strip Designer:

 

Description:  Design your own comic panels using your own images or screenshots taken with the iPod Touch.  Arrange the order, add speech bubbles, and even email them or post them to a website.

 

Applications in the Classroom: Two words:  digital storytelling.  This application is incredibly easy to use and allows students to utilize images stored on their iPod Touch (such as screenshots) and use them to create nice-looking comic panels.  This can be an engaging way to get students to begin writing creatively.

 

Price: $2.99 (as of 2/2010)

 

Notes:  Save the images and email them from the device to the teacher or post them to a wiki.  Easy assignment collection!  

(5-3-2010) - This is now a "universal" app that works on the iPad as well.  The extra screen size makes comic creation very easy.

 

LinkStrip Designer in the App Store

 

Mathematics

 

Calculator XL for iPad:

 

Description:  A basic add, subtract, multiply and divide calculator.

 

Applications in the Classroom:  Replaces the basic calculator found on the Touch and iPhone (except for scientific functions).

 

Price:  Free (as of 5/3/2010)

 

Notes:

 

Link:  Calculator XL in the App Store

 

 

Science

 

Gray's Anatomy - Premium for iPad 

 

Description:  Essentially, this app is the entire text and all of the illustrations from the classic, Gray's Anatomy text.

 

Applications in the Classroom:  A good reference app for upper-level biology or anatomy/physiology courses.  Searchable.

 

Price:  $4.99 (as of 5/3/2010)

 

Notes:  Some illustrations aren't appropriate for younger learners.  Essentially, this is a (slightly) interactive version of the original text.

(5/3/2010) -  It has been on sale for as low as $0.99.

 

Link:  Gray's Anatomy-Premium in the App Store

 

 

iBird Yard for iPad

 

Description:  This app is essentially a portable, multimedia field guide to common North American birds.  A drill-down identification system makes identifying birds simple, allowing you to identify by major/minor coloration, size, shape, location, bill shape and more.  The app features several artistic paintings as well as photographs of the birds. If Wi-Fi is available, additional photographic data is imported from Flickr.  Audio of the bird's call can be played/looped.  External links are provided for each species to Wikipedia.  Side-by-side comparisons of bird species can also be made in a table format.  Birds can be bookmarked/"favorited," and pages from the app can be emailed.

 

Applications in the Classroom:  Take those iPads outdoors!  This app would be a perfect integration of technology in the natural sciences.  It would be an excellent reference for outdoor bird feeder projects.

 

Price:  $4.99 (as of  5/3/2010)

 

Notes:  A great field-guide, database-driven application.

 

Link:  iBird Yard in the App Store

 

Star Walk for iPad:

 

Description:  This is a fantastic app that invites students to explore the heavens in an easy and intuitive way.  Students can research real-time data about stars and planets.  The app capitalizes on the iPad's built-in digital compass and motion sensor allowing the user to hold it above head to identify celestial objects.

 

Applications in the Classroom:  1.  Visually appealing astronomy research.   2.  An excellent conceptual tool for helping students understand things like planetary motion, deep space objects, seasonal changes in the sky and more.

 

Price:  $4.99 (as of 4/9/2010)

 

Notes:  This is one of those apps, that at launch, really showcases the iPad's educational value.

 

Link:  Star Walk for iPad in the App Store

 

Social Studies

 

Constitution for iPad (also available for iPod Touch)

 

Description:  A basic version of the U.S. Constitution divided by the various sections.  Includes notes on each section as well.

 

Applications in the Classroom:  Simple document reference application.

 

Price:  Free (as of 5/3/2010)

 

Notes:  Does not include searchable text which would be nice.  External linking to sites such as Wikipedia would be a plus as well.

 

Link:  Constitution for iPad in the App Store

 

MyCongress for iPad

 

Description:  This application is a research and reference application providing information on all current members of the U.S. Congress.  Background information is provided for each as well as recent news from the Internet, links to videos from their YouTube Channel, and recent updates for their Twitter feed (as available).  Additionally, links to their website along with phone and fax numbers are provided.

 

Applications in the Classroom:  This would be a great starting point for encouraging students to be active in our democracy.  They could select their representatives from the side list, research them, and even contact them regarding upcoming legislation.

 

Price:  Free (as of 5/3/2010)

 

Notes:

 

Link:  MyCongress for iPad in the App Store

 

World Book - This Day in History for iPad

 

Description:  This application gives you a handful of historic events that occurred on the current day (or any day you choose) in history.  Important figures/events can be explored for additional information.

 

Applications in the Classroom:  Simple history reference application.  Could be a starting point for additional research, though it would be nice if the important figures/events were linked to Wikipedia.

 

Price:  Free (as of 5/3/2010)

 

Notes:  Elegant and easy to use interface.

 

Link:  This Day in the App Store


External Links

 

Escondido Union School District - Sortable App List - by subject/grade level

 

Apple in Education list - By function or subject

 

IEAR (I Education Apps Review) - Classified by level; tagged by subject, function, type

 

 

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