As iPads infiltrate elementary school classrooms, more teachers will be searching for apps for their students. This post highlights resources in the Moms With Apps network to help teachers with the app discovery process.
Preview before purchase by asking for a promo code
It’s hard to tell from an iTunes description how an app will perform in your particular classroom. If a teacher finds an educational app and would like to “try before they buy”, considering writing the developer to request a promotional code. Developer contact information is listed in each iTunes App Description. Likewise, many developers make video demonstrations of their app. Look for the YouTube demo in their marketing materials for an initial assessment of the app.
Browse apps in educational categories using the Moms With Apps Mobile App
Over 2000 apps from our participating Moms With Apps developers are sorted by educational categories such as math, spelling, art, creative play, science, and geography. Apps are also searchable by age. The categories are chosen by the developer when they opt-in to be included in the app. This mobile catalog of apps is free to download, and includes a wishlist for tagging potential apps.
Try out apps when they are specially priced
Every Friday, Moms With Apps hosts a promotion called “App Friday”. If you check our blog on Fridays, a selection of apps will be either free or specially priced. Downloading an app for free is a great way to preview the content before purchasing for the entire school. As App Friday grows industry-wide, searching Twitter with the #appfriday hashtag may pull up an abundance of deals as well. Also, check the app review websites on our Appreciation Page for reviews and deals throughout the week.
Find out what’s new
Check out the App Report, which is compiled every week by Garry of Jellybean Tunes. This report takes all of the new product announcements from our forum, and lists them in a blog post by category. New content from storybook, art or music apps might correlate to seasonal lesson plans in your classroom.
Do you like an app, but wish you could change certain features?
Consider letting the developer know what works and what doesn’t. One of the benefits of the independent app marketplace is that developers are often accessible and open to feedback. If your ideas help improve the usability of the app, the developers may be keen to incorporate improvements. Feeling bold? Come join us in our developer forum – we are open to the interaction!
Do you have your own app idea, but are not sure where to start?
We have a list of developers in our network who take various types of contract work. This list of companies, contacts and services might help you start the process.
Are you active on Twitter?
Reading Ian’s blog comment on this post reminded me that there is a vibrant community of educators on Twitter. Visit these hashtags to join the conversations about mobile apps and education: #ipaded #edapp #iear #slide2learn #mlearning #edtablet.
I also recommend the following sites for education app resources:
* http://ipadeducators.ning.com/ managed by @SamGliksman
* http://iear.org managed by @iear
* Edutopia.org’s K-5 iPad apps arranged by looking at revised 21stC Bloom’s Taxonomy by @dianedarrow
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-elementary-blooms-taxomony-creating-diane-darrow
* Bloom’s Taxonomy and iPad apps by @langwitches
http://langwitches.org/blog/2011/08/21/blooms-taxonomy-and-ipad-apps/
Also, more Bloom’s classifications by @ktenkely
iPad/iPod Touch App Bloom’s Taxonomy
http://ilearntechnology.com/?p=4025
and Kathy Shrock @kathyschrock
http://kathyschrock.net/ipadblooms/
A new, excellent site by 4 Mexican ADEs http://www.appitic.com/ has 1300+ apps sorted via Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence schema and Bloom’s Taxonomy.
There’s also a big bunch of additional edapp resources by educators around the world in my Diigo bookmark list:
http://www.diigo.com/list/ianchia/i_os-in-education
If an educator is on Twitter, you can find additions to your PLNs using these hashtags: #ipaded #edapp #iear #slide2learn #mlearning #edtablet
Hope this helps.
Best,
– Ian
couple more sites http://www.teacherswithapps.com and http://techinspecialed.com/
Teachers who teach special education classes and want apps that teach sign language can contact me for information on apps that include ASL videos.
Rosemary
I also found the extensive discussion and lists of educational apps on wikispaces managed by Nathan Stevens.
http://teachwithyouripad.wikispaces.com/iPAD+Apps
We hope our just launched “educational app store” KinderTown (http://www.kindertown.com) will be a useful resource for teachers looking for apps for preschoolers, kindergartners, and first graders.
Thanks for bringing attention to this growing movement. I’m a 4th/6th grade teacher who loves tutoring with iPads, but I have yet to really utilize them with many students in the classroom. I’m jealous of all the teachers getting classroom sets for their students! It is really hard for teachers and students to sort through the clutter of the app store, so thanks for helping us all out! I also wrote a long list of great educational apps here: http://bit.ly/p4e196
If you want more info, I also put together a site with a collection of resources and videos about using iPads in the classroom here: http://bit.ly/lWrGSZ
Hope these are helpful!
-Adam
Happi Papi recently launched an “App Evaluation Program for Schools” where educators all over the world can sign up to get a free copy of our new games. There are no obligations and it is free to sign up.
Sign up at http://happipapi.com/evaluation-program-for-schools
/patrick
Happi Papi