iBooks

The "iBooks" app is a great way to keep your classroom well read. Ibooks has a ton of books for any ios that are great in the classroom and can be interactive.  They could purchase text books or the school could purchase the text books for them.  These text books in ibooks have things like 3D models and interactive maps they are very cool.  With the ibooks app you get a free Ibooks Author app that lets you create books for your classroom.

How it works: You download the app then go to the library where there are thousands of books for you to choose from.  You could preselect books for your class or let them pick their own.  They download at the click of a button and then boom a book right in front of you on the computer or an ipad.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibooks/id364709193?mt=8

All Aboard the Dinosaur Train

All Aboard the Dinosaur Train is an interactive app that is designed for children ages 3 to 5. The app is based off the PBS television show Dinosaur Train. It costs $1.99 on ITunes but was featured forfree from PBS kids free app packet. The all aboard the dinosaur train is a simple game that enhancessimple math concepts through an interactive game. Some examples are matching, problem solving, and measurement skills. I plan on using the program as a review for simple math concepts. I used this as a reward for the children to encourage learning in my advanced students or students who need more assistance.

Here is how it works:

Children learn through playing the game. Children in one part of the game they use puzzle pieces to complete the train track around the obstacles and get other dinosaurs onto the train. The other part of the game the children can match the dinosaurs to the correct size the train car. Each level gets more complex and more dinosaurs to match to each train car. The reward for completing each level and they receive a reward train vest, pocket watch and conductor’s hat.

http://pbskids.org/apps/all-aboard-the-dinosaur-train.html

Martha Speaks Word Spinner

Martha Speaks Word Spinner is an interactive app for children but also is family friendly can be played with family members. The age of children can be age 4 to 7. It costs $1.99 on ITunes but was featured for free from PBS kids free app packet. This app can be used in the classroom to introduce new words to students.Some examples are oral vocabulary skills and storytelling. I plan on using this app to increase my student’s higher frequency words. I would use it as a tool to give more opportunities to help students learn and hear more words they may not have seen before.

Here is how it works:

The app is setup as a board game and the object is to get to the doghouse to win. Along the way the players will spin a spinner to see how many spaces to go and then on the spinner there are mini games to play on each spinner space. Some mini game examples include bucket ball, name 5 things, story sounds, stuff sort, who am I? , and word connector. After each mini game they receive a dog bone with a new word on it and hear the definition of the word.  You can see examples from screen shots below.

http://pbskids.org/apps/martha-speaks-word-spinner.html

National Geographic Explorer for Schools

National Geographic Explorer for Schools

This app brings National Geographic into the classroom through the use of iPads.  This is a free app that gives students an interactive issue of National Geographic explorer every month of the school year.  The best part of this app is not that it is free, but that it has applications and suggestions as to how to link this text to common core and state social studies and science standards.

How it work:

Students open the app to find this month's issue of National Geographic Explorer.  The text is clickable, and has the functionality to be read aloud to the students.  There are also various activities that allow the child to interact with the pictures and images throughout the issue.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/national-geographic-explorer/id556957976?mt=8

Color Car

ColorCar

ColorCar is an app that teaches students with autism their colors by using a fun interactive game. Students learn how to pronounce the name of the color along with learning how to spell it as well. After the students are proficient in word recognition and identification they then can play "Find That Car." This activity commands the student to select the color of the car that is moving along with the parked cars as well. Color Car is IEP based, measuring the students progress.

http://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-apps/colorcar

Educreations

Educreations

Educreations is an interactive whiteboard and screencasting tool. This app is free and compatible with iPads. Teachers can create short instructional videos and share them instantly with their students. It also gives students the option to help other students on topics through this app. I would use this app in my classroom to make reviews for lessons, give additional instruction outside the classroom, and free up class time for hands-on learning and projects.

How it works:

After making your Educreations account, you can create classes that students can join. Your lessons will be synced automatically between teacher and student iPads. Students without iPads can access classes and lessons on the Educreations website. Your Educreations account securely keeps up with your lessons so that they are available whenever and wherever you may need them. Lessons can be shared via link, email, messages, Facebook, Twitter, blog, or website.

Link:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/educreations-interactive-whiteboard/id478617061?mt=8

Nearpod

If in a classroom where students are provided tablets or computers, this app would be awesome. Teachers can create or download interactive presentations and then share those interactive lessons with the students. Students can submit responses through any mobile device or computer and a teacher can see their work in real time. These responses can be measured on an individual or class basis – which would be a great assessment tool.

Here’s how it works:

First teachers will need to create or download a presentation. Teachers can integrate quizzes, videos, polls, drawing tools, audio, slideshows, etc. into their presentations to promote student interactions. These presentations can be shared through “teacher mode” to the student devices or with colleagues. Once the teacher has opened their presentation, students may now launch the app and sign in with their first and last name. With this login information, teachers will be able to view student responses in real time. As the teacher scrolls through the presentation, the students’ presentations will sync without the student even having to swipe. I think the thing I like the most about this app is that it makes the teacher mobile. If the teacher has a device with his/her presentation on it and students all have access to a device with the same presentation, there is no need for a teacher to be stuck in the front of the room at the interactive white board. Teachers can now walk around the room as they give their presentation without having to sacrifice the interactive portions of their lesson.

http://www.nearpod.com