Finding Apps

This is the Crayola: Lights, Camera, Color! app. I found it in the appoLearning website in the elementary photography category. With this free app, you can take a picture or use one from the gallery. The app will then drain all colors and you can then color it and add stickers. Many of the add-ons are not available unless you upgrade to the full version.

This is the Cyberchase 3D Builder app. I found this app by searching App Store's educational apps for elementary school. It's a $.99 app from PBS Kids appropriate for ages 6-8. Students can transform 2D objects into 3D objects by dragging up the sides to fold the shape. The game helps students visualize and manipulate objects in a 3-dimensional space. 

The is the Hopscotch app. I found it on the appoLearning website in the Computer Science/Technology category. This app is free for individuals but there is a $9.99 School Edition. This app teaches programming on a simplified level and would be great during lessons in coding. 

The app is rates high on the App Evaluation Checklist, especially because of the ways it promotes creativity and imagination. Students can create simple or complex code. They can follow challenges or use the blank project template to create their own. Students can use "given" steps, or they can explore the code in order to do it themselves. The content cannot be copied or printed, but it can be published within the Hopscotch community so it can be viewed by others.

Reflection 1 - The Cyberchase 3D Builder is available from PBS Kids for $0.99 when purchased individually. When 20 or more are purchased through the Apple Volume Purchase Program, it is available for only $0.49 each. This saves approximately 50% of the total bill. This is a great resource to help save our school district money. Since our district is limited to 1 iPad per classroom (and another group of 6 available for check-out) it is important that people communicate when purchasing apps. It is possible that a group of 20 or more could benefit from an app and could buy it for about half the price. 

Reflection 2 -After a teacher evaluates an app and finds it useful, it would benefit all of us if the teacher shared the app evaluation. Then other teachers could make an informed decision if the app would benefit them, too. Once that information is gathered, it can be determined how many apps would need to be purchased. If many are interested in using the app, the district will save money in making the purchase. On the other hand, if teachers keep information about apps to themselves, there may be large numbers purchasing the app, but paying full price.