To begin this PR I wanted to take a look at the spelling app. I always loved spelling in school. To me, it was the easiest way to make a 100. However, I absolutely hated going home and practicing day in and day out. I would sit in the back seat of the car going down the road and recite the appropriate letters while my mom would "give them out" to me or sit at the counter in the kitchen and write them down as she said them. BORING! I recall many times having to be lured back in to study form because I would drift away to who knows where. This not has an opportunity to change. The free app Spelling Test gives you the chance to create your own list of test. Once started the students can use the iPad to practice. This is good in a number of ways. First, since it records the "administrator's" voice, the child can practice on their own. Many children may not have a mom like I did who was adamant about my study habits. This also helps with students typing ability. Starting very young, students need to be able to type on a computer. This will help with key recognition and push towards quicker, more accurate typing. Lastly, its more fun. Sure it seems like the same concept, and it really is, but it's on the iPad. What kid doesn't want to work on an iPad? This app gives instant feedback for the results, and it is also compatible with the smart board. This gives the opportunity inside the classroom for more interactive group learning.
Another free app that is useful in the classroom is the dictionary app. This is a simple app that can help you learn words the same way you would use a hardback book dictionary. One thing I really like about this app in contrast to a hard book is the spelling functions. A lot of times, you are using a dictionary because you do not know how to spell something. This could result in wasted time flipping through pages looking for the word (seems counter productive when you type it out I know). With this app, as you begin typing the word, it begins to bring up words that it believes you may be typing. So what if you didn't know whether it was "ie" or "y" or anything else for that matter. Now you will be able to see the word you are looking for even if you get close. Once you choose the word you are looking for, it shows it, the definition, and will say the word out loud for the student to hear correct pronunciation. It also will use it in a sentence and if available, it will give an option to go to a thesaurus (like 2 apps in one). Gone are the days of turning pages, wagging 2 giant books around, and asking the teacher how you say a word.
For video, I want to focus on Educreations. This free app gives students and teachers a chance to create video lessons. This easy start app records everything that is happening on your screen or "whiteboard." Teachers can use this to teach lessons in math by putting the equation on the board just like they would the whiteboard inside the classroom. The app has very few options which makes it very user friendly. There are several color options, insert pictures (in the library, dropbox, or take a pic), undo, recall, clear, pause, save and create other pages on the same recording. Another items I like in this is that you can write on top of your pictures. When finished you can save your video and share it with whomever you want. Once again, this is not only visual, but includes audio. This alternative to classroom lessons could be used aid students who need extra help or to send to students who may have missed class.
The last app (which is also somewhat free) that I want to discuss is Puppet Pals. If you only use the stock items, you can create show after show at no cost. For a minimal fee, you can add your own backgrounds and characters. This app is a fun and interactive way for students to present their ideas. Also, if they don't want to be in front of a camera, this gives them an alternative to making a movie. This step by step app walks you through preparing your very own puppet show. Once you have chosen characters and backgrounds, you can begin making your show. You can position your characters "on and off" the scene and do as you want with them pertaining to the movie. Once clicking record, the video records everything this is in the scene as well as the audio voices of the characters. You can pause the recording to change scenes and continue with ease. Once completed you can play back your movie and save it or export it to wherever you want it. This fun app allows students to express themselves and can help with in working in team environments as they make movies together.
These 4 apps can all prove to be useful in the classroom. While some revolve around more serious matters, each are interactive learning tools. It is important that we take advantage of these tools to engage the students and really lighten some of the load on the teacher.
Good work!
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