iCell

This app gives players a 3D view inside a cell. Three types of cells are offered: animal, plant, and bacteria. iCell can be used as a study tool in biology class to become more familiar with the various parts of the cell. This app can be accommodated to different grade levels based on the basic, intermediate, or advanced definitions given.

Here’s how it works:

When first opening iCell, you will be prompted to pick an animal, bacteria, or plant cell. Once you make your selection you will be able to see a 3D illustration of that cell. By dragging your finger across the screen you can turn the cell. By tapping on organelles, you will be zoomed in and given the name and description of that organelle. Once you are reading the description, you can change the difficulty of the text by selecting basic, intermediate, or advanced. These options will change the wording of the description to better fit the content level of the learner. This app is quite basic: I feel it would be better if there was some sort of game offered where users could label the parts of the cell themselves. However, I do think this would be a great study tool for K-12 biology students or a great activity for a biology lab. As a teacher, I would probably accompany this app with a paper copy of a cell where students could label it on their own and provide definitions of the organelles in their own words.

This app is available for Windows and iOS devices. Here's a video of the app in use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcUMCEWqjl8

Math Bingo

The object of Math Bingo is to get five “Bingo Bugs” in a row. To do this, a student must solve five math problems correctly. The math problems offered are addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and mixed and can be set on a difficulty of easy, medium, or hard.

Here’s how it works:

First, students can create their profile and select an avatar from a choice of 12 (one of which is a pirate, oh yeah). The player profile displays the number of games played, high scores, and number of Bingo Bugs collected. However, there is also a guest profile; teachers can have students use this if they do not wish to use time for students to create their own profiles, but in this setting the student’s scores will not be recorded. A timer will begin running as soon as the game starts: the goal is to get bingo as quick as possible. A math problem is displayed above a board of numbers and students must tap the correct number to get a Bingo Bug. Bingo Bugs serve as instant gratification; students are rewarded with these when they get a problem right. They must collect five in a row (just like regular bingo) in order to win the game. The Bingo Bugs you earn go into a “My Bingo Bugs” collection; while in this menu, students can tilt their device to make the bugs move or tap them to make them giggle and jump (which is a game in itself for younger children). The one thing I did not like about this game is that when you click an incorrect answer it immediately goes to another problem instead of letting you try again or even eliminating some choices to narrow it down to the correct answer.

I like this app because it gives students practice with basic math without feeling like their being drilled. In my classroom, I could use the student profile scores as a diagnostic and formative assessment tool.

This game is only available for iOS devices. Here’s a video review:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEj9zZLRc5Q

iTooch

iTooch is a free app that has "more than 18,000 excercises" based off of the National Common Core Standards. Covering Math, ELA, and Science, students will get practice in all areas that state testing covers. There are different apps for Elementary, Middle School, and even a few specialty apps for English Second Language Students, and SAT practice!

Free to users, and downloadable on most any device, this app is very useful in a teachers toolbox. The state standard areas are divided by grade level and include a learn, practice, and test fucntion.Students are able to "create a user" to keep up with their scores if sharing the same device with multiple students such as multiple classes and a students each using a device in each class. Tests and Study Sessions are short but insightful helping keep the student focused. The bright colors, easy to use functions, and continuous encouragement from a function within the app that are sure to not bore your students.

http://www.edupad.com/itooch/elementary-school-app/

Quizlet

Quizlet is a free app on the Iphone and is free online. Quizlet can be used to study and test yourself. I frequently use Quizlet when I am studying for a vocab quiz in French. The app includes tabs labeled: Flashcards, Learn, Speller, Test, Scatter, and Race. To begin your quizlet set, you will need to fill out all the vocab words and their definitions.

The Flashcard tab can be used to study the vocab. They are like online flashcards. The Learn tab can be used as a fill-in-the-blank game where you fill in either the definition or the word that corresponds with the information provided. The Speller tab speaks a word or defintion and you must type out the information needed. The Test tab will test you with Written, Matching, Multiple Choise, and Filll-in-th-Blank questions. The Scatter tab is a game where you match a word with its defintion. The Race tab is a game where the defintion will scroll across the screen and you must type in the correct vocab word before the defintion reaches the other side.

I frequently use Quizlet to study. I can study on my phone whenever I want because my Quizlet account is both on my phone and online. My German teacher makes a Quizlet set for each chapter, so that we can study the words. We are also required to take the Quizlet test every Friday. Print out our results, and turn it in for a grade.

http://quizlet.com/mobile

Subtext

Subtext is a free digital reading app that you can download from the iTunes app store. It is compatible with iPhones and iPads. Subtext incorporates Common Core instruction and focuses on the importance of reading goals. It allows K-12 teachers to embed instruction in digital texts. Subtext supports ePub, PDF, Google Play, and web articles from their collection. This app also has a ‘Save to Subtext’ option. With Subtext, Students are better prepared to analyze the text, make real world connections, and articulate their thoughts. I would use this tool to help students to understand the importance of reading for a purpose.

How it works:

Teachers set up an account through the Subtext app. Then, teachers are able to create private groups to share content, differentiate instruction, and stay organized. After logging in, teachers are able to add digital reading content to carts, add discussions without internet connection, and restrict students’ access to the web. You can double tap a page and get every student on the same page; double tap any word in the text to view its definition. Lastly, you can paste tagged passages or annotations into Google Docs. 

Link to Subtext:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/subtext/id457556753?mt=8

Khan Academy

Khan Academy has served as a great homework tool for me since high school. Anytime I was stuck on a concept, it was the first place I looked for help. The content ranges across multiple subjects and can be as simple as early math or as difficult as organic chemistry. The best part is that there is no subscription necessary; everything is free.

Here’s how it works:

Instructional videos are offered for multiple subjects across K-12 difficulty levels. Students can create an account to keep track of their stats and earn badges as they complete "skills." Skills are provided in question and answer format. If a student were to get stuck while working at home, they could click "show me how" to see a step-by-step video or "I haven't learned this yet" and move on to the next question. Teachers can also create accounts that offer modules; once students complete these modules, the instructor can see each student’s account name of a scale of “struggling” to “mastered.” Teachers using Khan Academy have found that they have more successful student-teacher interactions because they know the specific concept the student is struggling with. This app offers personalized learning, data driven instruction, and mastery-based learning. Khan Acadmeny can be used as a diagnostic, formative, or summative assessment tool.

Khan Academy is available as an app on all major platforms or throughwww.khanacademy.org. 

Brain Pop

Brain Pop creates animated, educational movies for the classroom. Teachers can purchase one of multiple subscription types or just use the “free stuff.” Like anything, you get more options as a subscriber, but even the free videos are great. The best part about this app is that you can download a different version depending on what age group you teach: Brain Pop Jr. (K-3), Brain Pop, Brain Pop Español, and Brain Pop ESL are all available. As a future K-8 teacher, I know these videos will be great transition activities or “brain breaks.”

Here’s how it works:

A variety of subjects are available: arts and music, science, social studies, engineering and technology, English, math, and health. Each subject is then divided into more specific categories; for example, if I were to click on “science” I would then be able to choose from topics such as earth systems, matter and chemistry, energy, ecology and behavior, etc. After each video there are activities: some of the free ones include order of events, short essay questions, graphic organizers, and a vocabulary list with space for definitions. These activities could be used while the student watched the video, a “ticket out the door,” etc. There is also a Q&A tab that could be used as a prompt for classroom discussions or submitted to the teacher as a formative assessment. Subscribers gain access to quizzes. By using the Mixer tool, instructors can adjust the quiz difficulty to students' ability levels and use the results as a formative or summative assessment.

Brain Pop can be downloaded as an app on all major platforms or through www.brainpop.com.

SpellingCity

SpellingCity

SpellingCity is a free app, with the option to upgrade to a premium membership, used on the iPhone, iPad or web.  The app allows students to do a range of things from learn content area and play games.  Teachers can use this app to help reinforce student understanding of vocabulary words.  I would use this app to make out spelling lists and vocabulary for my students to study.  Weekly when I send home the newsletter I would provide the link for the student to practice their spelling and vocabulary.  The premium membership includes: student progress tracking, custom assignments, vocabulary development and writing practice.  The premium membership can be purchased in the categories of family (up to 5 students) for $29.99, classroom (up to 25 students) for $49.99 or schools (ranging from 26 to over 5000 students) ranging from $1.40/student to $1.95/student. With either the free or premium you are given your own url to share with your students.  When registering if your school is not listed you are able to add your school to the list. 

How it Works:

On your homepage you can put a message to the students and parents, add vocabulary and spelling lists and recommended links.  The students are able to take spelling tests, vocabulary tests, look at flashcards, learn the content and play games.  With the premium package you are able to add students and give each one a username and password to track their progress.  With the basic package students are still able to do the different activities you post on your homepage.

Links:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spellingcity/id538407602?mt=8

https://www.spellingcity.com/Log-yourself-in.html

Flashcards

Flashcards

Flashcards is a free app available on the iPhone,  iPad, iPod or on the web, powered by Brainscape.  Brainscape uses repetition, active recall, and metacognition to insure that the person using the app understands what he or she is doing.  Teachers and students can use the app to create flashcards.  Teachers can create flashcards for students to use to study for upcoming tests.  Students can also create their own flashcards. Users are able to bookmark certain cards that they might be having trouble understanding so they can make sure that they come back to that card.  Users are also able to discard cards that they have mastered.  Users are able to choose the order that they wish the cards to be viewed and the orientation.  This app could be used in all subject areas and for any grade level.  The flashcards can be shared with others very easily either by email or dropbox. 

Getting Started:

The teacher or student has to set up a Brainscape account which is free.  They can set up the account by either using an email address or their Facebook account.  Once they sign up they will be asked to create their flashcards.  They can create their own subject or they can choose from different subject areas that are already created for them, some are free and others cost.  In order to purchase anything you have to add a credit card.  The different categories are: All, Test Prep, Foreign Language, and Knowledge Junkie. When creating your own you can create in simple or advanced.  In the simple one you are able to add terms and then define them.  In the advance you are able to do the same as the simple with the added features of adding images and sound. 

How it Works:

The user sees the front of the flashcard and then they choose when to see the back of the flashcard.  Once they have seen the back they are asked to rate their understanding on a scale from 1(not at all) to 5(perfectly).  Based on your confidence level of that specific card will determine how often that card reappears.  The more confident you become about a specific card the less you will see it.  By doing this they are making sure that the user not only gains the knowledge but retains the knowledge. 

Links to sites:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flashcards*/id403199818?mt=8

https://www.brainscape.com/

Audiobooks

Audiobooks

This free app is an excellent resource for teachers and students. Compatible with iPhone and iPad, it offers thousands of free audiobooks and podcasts. Here are a couple of ways this app could be used by teachers and students:

• Teachers-In my residency, there were times when I was asked to teach something that I had never read. Teachers already have so much on their plate, so reading and studying a new book or story is at the bottom of the list. With this app I was able to listen to the book while I was driving to and from school. It really helped me save time.

• Students- Students need to hear proper reading modeled. Well that’s great in the classroom when the teacher is there to do this modeling, but what happens when the students go home? This app will help students when they are at home. They can listen and follow along in the book. This is a great thing for your struggling readers.

The really great thing about this app is that the audiobooks can be downloaded for offline streaming, so students can listen to audiobooks on their bus ride, and teachers can listen on their commute.

 Here’s how it works:

1. Download the app.

2. Search for audiobook.

3. Preview or Play

4. Listen and enjoy