Online Class Assessment

Google Docs is a wonderful, free tool set.  It has applications that, for most people, could replace Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.  Unlike the Microsoft Office suite we are all most used to, Google Docs is available from any computer with an Internet connection.  Furthermore, all of the documents, spreadsheets, and presentations you create using Google Docs is stored online for free.

One of the lesser known features of Docs is the Forms feature.  This tool allows you to create easy to use forms that could be used as tests or surveys. 

Snapguide

Snapguide is a wonderful, simple, visually pleasing way to present instructions.  Students are able to create a set of instructions complete with pictures and then post them on the web. 

Could be a great app to use when teaching instructions, but it could also work really well to have the students explain the steps of a new concept.  One of the examples that showed me the power of this app was one where a students wrote out the steps of long division with pictures of his work included.

Thanks to techchef4u.com for this great app suggestion.

Apps of the Day

I have updated Josh's App List with apps on:

• Fractions
• multiplication
• angles
• brainstorming
• Oregon Trail. 

Go to the bottom of the app list to see the latest updates.

Apps and Ideas for Literature Circles

Here is an interesting article that discusses the use of iPads in literature circles.

http://thejournal.com/articles/2012/05/08/apps-and-ideas-for-literature-circles-on-ipads.aspx

Sock Puppet Idea

Here is an example of how the Sock Puppet app we discussed at the staff inservice can be used within the classroom.  In this example, the teacher was working with her students to identify various character traits. This presentation was the culmination of that research.

Using Augmented Reality in the Classroom

Once the "Wow" factor has worn off, what can teachers really do with augmented reality apps?  Here are two apps that answer that question. 

Fetch! Lunch Rush is an easy to use, drill & skill app.  Here's the story:  The children (one to four players) are the gophers on a movie set and must provide lunch-the crew likes sushi.  The app provides the student with a single digit plus single digit addition problem.  When students point their iPads at preprinted numbers to answer the problem, virtual sushi will appear.  Students then touch the sushi to complete the problem.

Aurasma Lite is a little less straight forward, but far more interesting.

For any augmented reality app, the user must point the iPad at a preassigned target that is typically printed out.  Pointing the iPad at the target causes a virtual "thing" to appear on the screen as if it were actually there.

This app is different.  Rather than passively pointing at a target, the app allows the user to create, and then share, their own target. Furthermore, the target doesn't have to be a piece of paper. It could be anything. A page in a book, a picture on a wall, a building, a billboard, even a pencil can be used as a target. The targets can be assigned to display a picture or to play a video.

This app provides a number of possibilities for classroom use.  Some examples:

• Make the students' books more interactive. Text books, picture books, and chapter books could all have augmented reality added to them.  Pointing the app at a preselected word in their book could cause the definition to appear.  A picture in their social studies book could trigger a video explaining the image. FYI: Currently all videos and images you use need to reside on your iPad. You couldn't have it trigger a YouTube video.
• Create a scavenger hunt. Use different parts of the school/classroom as targets. When the student points the iPad at the target it could trigger a question the student must answer, give information about the target, or give them a clue to help them find the next target.
• Students could create a poster about a topic and then use different parts of the poster as targets that could trigger a video of the student explaining the topic.

Augmented Reality

Many teachers were impressed and amazed by the Augmented Reality App, "String."  To see what the future holds for this amazing technology, visit: http://augmentedstories.wordpress.com/

Apps in Education: Gaming Based Maths Skills

Apps in Education: Gaming Based Maths Skills: I watched my 12 year old spend 35 minutes working out how to advance to the next level on a character based game on a console the other day....