
What do I mean by this?
I've found that often teachers get hung up on the "best math game app" or the "best phonics app". Truth be told, the most amazing fractions game, states facts quiz app or phonics app can only be stretched so far - perhaps one or two units (admittedly a bit longer for a good phonics app in primary).

- Students solve math problems and narrate their thinking
- Students create math problems and narrate their thinking
- Students create video lessons a la Khan Academy in all subjects
- Students write stories and narrate them
- Students practice fluency by reading a story while a partner illustrates the mind movie that is created (thus practicing listening comprehension / visualization skills)
7/4/12 Update: Try Educreations - a great app that does much of what Screenchomp does, but with better features and versatility!
One of my new favorite apps is neu.Annotate PDF - also the best price around, FREE. This handy app allows students to annotate PDFs with drawings, stamps and photos. It has a palm guard to recognize students' palms if they rest their hands on the glass and is incredibly easy to use. Imagine uploading a form, PDF version of your workbooks, PDF version of your worksheet, etc. and having your students use this application to complete it? Imagine all the paper you can save!
7/4/12 Update: Try PaperPortNotes - Also free, but more features than neu.Annotate PDF.

Collaborative Whiteboard Apps are also fantastic ways to revolutionize student interaction in your classroom. This website features five free options for great collaborative whiteboards on your iPad and explains them far better than I could. I've been awestruck as I've witnessed my students collaborate on a shared writing space from across the classroom - or even between classroom walls when students were being pulled out for specialized services. Thank you, technology.
There are many more amazing creation apps out there. I will continue to explores these in future Whetting Your APPetite volumes, and welcome readers to share their favorites in the comments section.
And let's not forget web-based programming. Who needs apps all? In an age where schools are floundering for funds to hire teachers and purchase curricula, we need every penny we can save. Edmodo and Schoology are two (competing) amazing websites (some previously mentioned in this blog), that can allow your students to create and collaborate. I have yet to determine which I prefer, but have heard strong positive feelings from colleagues about both.
So I leave you with this: consider the bang for your buck as you purchase apps. Will that measurement app really be used all year? Do you really want to spend $1.99 x 32 devices to buy it? Or would you rather spend $0.00 x 32 devices for a creation app that will push your kids to higher (Bloom's!) levels throughout your school year? Consider....
toondoo.com
ReplyDeletewordle.net
prezi.com
livetyping.com
voki.com
storybird.com
voicethread.com
I don't have iPads (yet!), so I'm just going to start using web apps. I'll be curious to learn what you gather here through the comments. @gregdklein
I'm with you! Creation apps are the way to go! I especially love Comic Life, StoryPatch, Toontastic, and the ShowMe app to name just a few! Also still loving StoryKit...and of course that's free! And then there's GarageBand, Stop Motion...I'll have to check out neu.Annotate! I hadn't seen that one yet!
ReplyDeleteToontastic is my fave in addition to Art Rage and Drawing Pad, Also just discovered a neat animation app called Animation Creator HD.
ReplyDeleteHey - I tried to write a comment on my ipad but I'm not sure if it went through or not. I love this post and I whole-heartedly agree! I'm constantly being asked about 'the best apps for____" and I always respond in similar ways to this post. I'd love to come check out your classroom some time!
ReplyDeleteRob
chicagoedtech.blogspot.com
You are more than welcome to visit! Just send me an email :)! jenniemisong@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI referenced this article today but can't figure out how to do trackbacks with Blogger. Here's the link: http://chicagoedtech.blogspot.com/2011/11/ipad-research-and-note-taking-app-ccss.html
ReplyDeleteI have searching past 3 hours in the google. I got exact what I search in your site. Thanks to update excellent post from your end. I congrats to improve peak in futur.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with you on the value of those "creation" apps! Thanks for the post and the insightful blog! I've referenced this post on my blog (http://mrkremersblog.blogspot.com/p/ipad-apps.html)!
ReplyDeletethank you!
ReplyDelete