iOS Apps for Learning and Teaching
Since August 2009 the Digital Learning Team have been running iPod Touch and iPad trials in schools throughout Edinburgh. The trials have involved schools in all sectors - early years, primary, secondary and special.
Using the feedback from these trials, and now feedback from schools who have embedded this technology into the curriculum, this document sets out the recommended apps, how much they cost, a brief description and an indication of the Curriculum for Excellence level they are most suited for. We have grouped the apps into curricular areas and also various other identifiable groups. They are in no particular order and include a variety of free and paid-for apps.
The apps that allow for content creation are some of the most powerful for transforming learning and teaching, allowing students to demonstrate evidence of their learning. Teachers have found that they return to these apps time and time again and are excited about what they and their student can create on the device.
All of the apps listed come recommended by teachers and pupils. The list is not exhaustive, but offers a starting point for those new to the technology and will highlight some less familiar apps for those who have been using iOS devices for a while.
We know you will have fun learning with them!
The Digital Learning Team
Our blog is full of useful information. Click on the link below to visit us!www.digitallearningteam.org
Check out these useful websites for more App recommendations...• APPitic is a directory of apps for education to help you transform teaching and learning. These
apps have been tested in a variety of different grade levels, instructional strategies and classroom settings.
• iPad Apps and Bloomʼs Taxonomy A primary library media specialist reviews iPad apps as they map to an updated version of Bloomʼs Taxonomy.
• iPad App Evaluation This visual document helps educators evaluate Apps for the classroom
Digital Learning Team www.digitallearningteam.org
iOS Apps for Learning and TeachingPage 1 of 8
October 2012
Literacy
Name Cost DescriptionCfElevel
abc PocketPhonics £1.99
Teaches the letter sounds for all the letters in the alphabet, including blends, using the synthetic phonic approach. Also teaches letter writing and 170 !rst words.
E/1
Word Magic 69p
A picture is shown and the word spoken - children touch the missing letter or blend for each picture. Lots of spoken encouragement and praise.
E/1
The Smelly Sprout(Pocket Story) Free
A 40 page animated book that children can read in either of three modes - autoplay, read to me and read myself. Full narration by the author. (Scottish accent) Other titles available.
E/1
Fry Words Free
List of the 1000 most popular words in English. Ability to add your own words and record your own voice. Customisable fonts and colours. Game mode.
E/1
Countdown 69p
Use the Countdown game show to master vocabulary (and maths). Make the longest word possible from 9 letters then try to solve the countdown conundrum.
2/3/4
Shakespeare In Bits
Free(in-app
purchases)
Fully animated study edition of the plays. (Two samples included with free app.) Original text as well as modern translations. Biographies for each character and relationship maps...
2/3/4
Grammar Jammers
Primary EditionFree
Animated catchy songs and rhymes to help learn the rules of grammar. Other levels available.
E/1
Grammar Fun Free Free
Learn correct grammar by matching grammatical constructs to the corresponding words in a sentence.
1/2
iBooks FreeDownload best-sellers and classic books from the iBookstore. Find fully illustrated books, including children’s picture books.
All
Book Creator for iPad £2.99
Create your own books right on the iPad. Sleek, intuitive and easy to use. Import photos from the camera roll and add sound. Perfect for learners of all ages..
All
Digital Learning Team www.digitallearningteam.org
iOS Apps for Learning and TeachingPage 2 of 8
October 2012
Numeracy
Name Cost DescriptionCfElevel
PopMathMaths Plus 69p
Pairs of bubbles "oat on the screen - pop each matching pair based on the sum. Choose from addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
E/1/2
Math Magic 69p
Helps children learn addition, subtraction and multiplication. Children touch the correct answer. Ability to customise the level to match the learner.
1/2
Math Bingo 69pChoose from different levels of difficulty and type of sum. Create up to 5 player pro!les. Collect and play with bingo bugs.
1/2
Touch the Numbers Free Touch the numbers from 1 to 25 as fast as
you can. That’s it!E/1
Number Line Free
Helps students learn about fractions, decimals and percents by ordering equivalent fractions, decimal and percentages on a number line. Multiple levels.
2/3
Talking Maths(by Heinemann) £3.99
Talk Maths is a fun way to get children talking about maths and working together to solve problems. App provides four games to help children practice their mathematical vocabulary and speaking and listening skills.
1/2/3(Different
Apps)
Mental Maths 69p
Choose from different categories and exercises ranging from basic arithmetic, division with remainder, percentage calculation, reading and writing Roman Numerals and common multiples and divisors.
1/2/3
Flash Tables HD 69p Interactive times tables "ash cards. From 0x0 to 12x12. 1/2
Khan Academy Free
The best way to view Khan Academy’s complete library of over 3,200 videos. Alongside hundreds of maths videos (including topics such as algebra and differential equations) are subjects such as !nance, science, history and art.
3/4
Digital Learning Team www.digitallearningteam.org
iOS Apps for Learning and TeachingPage 3 of 8
October 2012
Cross-Curricular
Name Cost DescriptionCfElevel
Explain Everything £1.99
Explain Everything is an easy to use design tool that lets you annotate, animate and narrate explanations and presentations. Exports as a movie. Can be used to explain everything - and anything!
All
Strip Designer £1.99
Create your own comic book strips using photos from your photo album and add text, clip art. Choose from different layouts and export options.
All
I Can Animate £1.99
Bring the experience of animating using a desktop or laptop computer to the iPod or iPhone. Animate from anywhere and transfer or export to continue your project.
All
Puppet Pals HDDirector’s Pass
£1.99(Free
version available)
Star in your own cartoon! Pick out your actors and backdrops, drag them on stage and tap record. Movements and audio recorded in real time and exported as a movie.
All
iMovie §
Create HD movies anywhere. Add video, photos, music and sound effects. Add themes, titles and transitions. Browse and play projects.
1/2/3/4
Problem Solving
Name Cost DescriptionCfElevel
The Oregon Trail 69p
A strategy game relating the !rst pioneers’ journey to Western America. In the role of Wagon Leader, children must overcome obstacles by thoughtful decision making in order to reach Oregon safely.
E/1/2
Scribblenauts Remix 69p
Think it. Create it. Solve it! Award winning video game available for iPad. Solve the puzzles by creating objects for Maxwell. If you can think it, you can create it!
1/2/3
Digital Learning Team www.digitallearningteam.org
iOS Apps for Learning and TeachingPage 4 of 8
October 2012
Early Years
Name Cost DescriptionCfElevel
TozzleFree
(Also paid version)
Encourages shape recognition and motor activity. Different puzzles with sound effects and bright colours.
E/1
Preschool Adventure 69p
8 different activities including dot-to-dot numbers, colouring book, typing, colours, shapes, monkey body, sounds and matching. Includes Make-a-martian.
E/1
Wheels on the Bus HD £1.49
An interactive musical book based on the children’s song. Encourages language, musical and motor development. Winner of ‘Best Children’s App” 2010 International CES
E/1
Giraffe’s Preschool
Playground£1.49 Giraffe will help young children learn about
letters, numbers, shape and movement. E/1
Dress Chica FreeHelp Chica get dressed by selecting hats, scarves and more by touching the pictures. Save your work and share with others.
E/1
Shapes Toddler Preschool Free
Children learn to identify shapes through fun games with positive reinforcement. Ability to customise the games.
E/1
Elmo’s Monster Maker HD £2.49
Elmo wants you to make a monster friend - choose a monster body and touch its face to give it eyes, nose and a hat. When you’re done play with your monster! Saves to camera roll for use in other apps.
E/1
Digital Learning Team www.digitallearningteam.org
iOS Apps for Learning and TeachingPage 5 of 8
October 2012
Expressive Arts
Name Cost DescriptionCfElevel
Art of Glow FreeCreate glow/light paintings, !reworks, twinkling stars, animated text arts and much more.
E/1/2
Glow Doodle 69p Fun way to create drawing with glow light effect. E/1/2
Doodle Buddy FreeFinger paint with colours, effects and stamps. Lots of fun sounds and the ability to collaborate and share your artwork.
E/1/2
Art Set 69p
Beautiful virtual art set! Thick 3D textured oil paint, !ve blending tools, metallic colours sparkle and shine, zoom and pan, import your own photos, export to photos, multiple paper textures and colours.
All
Brushes 3 Free
Similar to Art Set, with the same adjustable brush settings and colour opacity. Brushes also records every step in your painting for playback.
All
Beatwave Free Create amazing beats and tunes using a wide range of samples. E/1/2
GarageBand £2.99 The essential app for music making, recording, podcasting and general fun! All
Soundrop Free
Draw lines and create music! Hear how the sounds interact and move in and out of phase with each other. See, as well as hear, your sound creation.
All
My First Classical Music App £2.99
Fully interactive app - !nd out where you hear music, who writes it and what it sounds like. Meet the instruments of the orchestra and hear the music they play.
E/1/2/3
Digital Learning Team www.digitallearningteam.org
iOS Apps for Learning and TeachingPage 6 of 8
October 2012
Reference and Research
Name Cost DescriptionCfElevel
Google Earth Free
Explore the earth, zoom in from space to your school or house, !nd out about different countries. (Requires internet access.)
All
Planets Free Explore the universe and discover amazing facts about the solar system. All
Science 360 FreeScience360 for iPad provides easy access to engaging science and engineering images and video from around the globe.
1/2/3/4
iTunes U Free
Take a free course from the many educational providers on iTunes U. Subscribe in the app and receive material when it become available.
1/2/3/4
Podcasts FreeEnjoy all of your audio and video podcasts in one app. Subscribe to your favourite podcasts. Lots of great educational content.
All
Productivity and Presentation
Name Cost DescriptionCfElevel
Pages £6.99
Pages lets you create, edit and view documents wherever you are. It can import Word documents and also export in Word, Pages or PDF format.
All
Keynote £6.99 Create beautiful presentations and present from the iPad/iPod Touch. All
Evernote FreeAn easy to use, free app that lets you remember everything across all of the devices you use.
2/3/4
SimpleMind+ Free Mind mapping tool. 2/3/4
Digital Learning Team www.digitallearningteam.org
iOS Apps for Learning and TeachingPage 7 of 8
October 2012
Administration and File Sharing
Name Cost DescriptionCfElevel
Dropbox Free
Dropbox is a free service that lets you keep your documents in the one place. Any !le you save to Dropbox is accessible from Dropbox online and on your iOS device.
n/a
iFiles £2.49File manager and document viewer. Transfer !les via bluetooth to another iPad nearby. Support for online services such as Dropbox.
n/a
Find My iPhone Free
Locate your misplaced iOS device using Find My iPhone. Use the App to look for other devices, or go use Find My iPhone online to look for your own. (Sign in with Apple ID)
n/a
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
iPads are becoming increasingly popular in the field of AAC. KEYCOMM, the Lothian Communication Technology Service, has a list of recommended iPad apps for individuals with communication difficulties. Click on the link below to visit their website and download the list. http://keycomm.weebly.com/ipads.html
Further InformationFor additional information on Apps and iTunes please use the link belowhttp://www.apple.com/uk/support/ios/apps/
Digital Learning Team www.digitallearningteam.org
iOS Apps for Learning and TeachingPage 8 of 8
October 2012
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