Now Tech That!: Appy Friday 11/20/15

Appy Friday Readers!

I received some feedback that some readers are disappointed about the timing of my post. I assume you aren't being mean or critical, you just really love my posts!

I do understand that after school isn't always the best time for everyone. This isn't rocket science nor am I receiving secret email messages I'm getting from developers (I wish!). I simply surf the web and open up some apps for links. I gather them up and put them in categories for easy finding later. It' just time consuming. If you couldn't tell, I'm very passionate about iPads. So you guys are worth my time and effort!!

Anyway, if you are dying to get free app Friday links with your morning coffee, you are welcome to go where I go!

http://www.smartappsforkids.com

http://appsliced.co

http://www.funeducationalapps.com

http://www.bestappsforkids.com

http://appgratis.com/android

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000620471

Happy downloading!

Betsy

Reviews

Early Childhood

Zoo Animals ~ Touch, Look, Listen by StoryToys Entertainment Limited

https://appsto.re/us/tA66U.i

Normally $2.99

*Also on Android, but not free today

Remember pop up books? This app is an interactive pop up book that works on learning animal names. Just tap the animal and you will hear and see the name of the animal. You can swipe to turn the pages or tap the arrow. After you read the story, there is a receptive identification activity. (find the…) It has a pretty cool way to do second languages. You go to the language selection menu. Then select a main language and second language. While you are reading the book, you tap once to see your main language and then again for your second language. In general the app is excellent for students working on finger isolation, targeted cause and effect, vocabulary, language learners and receptive identification.

Elementary

Reading Comprehension – Animals: Second & Third Grade With Testing Prep-Snap-Teach by Jerrold Story

https://appsto.re/us/GgsJ5.i

Normally $1.99

This app gives a series of short 1 page reading passages and then a set of comprehension questions. The default is you can tap a speaker to hear the passage read aloud, but in the settings you can turn it off if your student doesn't need it. Note that when it reads, it does not highlight the words as it goes along. However, I was able to use the internal "speak selection" feature that comes in the accessibility settings on newer iPad generations. This iOS feature does read with highlighting. The app is not super engaging, but does the job. What I really like is you can make your own stories with comprehension questions using your own pictures.

Middle-High

Algebra 1 Review Student Edition by Brandon Hoskins

https://appsto.re/us/lYfu8.i

Normally $0.99

Let's start with: I'm an OT and not a math teacher. But I found this Algebra review app to be an interesting way to presents problems on a variety of Algebraic topics. It covers things like relations and functions, linear equations, polynomials and factoring. Within each unit you can play a simple board game like activity: crime solvers, football, algebra life and battleship. As you get an answer right, it progresses you through the game. You can't really customize anything, so I suggest you throughly test the app to make sure that it's a good fit for your student.

Always Free, Always Awesome

MyRoutine by Vanderbilt University

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/myroutine/id656967524?mt=8

I just found this app, so I can't share any exciting stories on how it changed one my student's lives or anything. I'm sharing it because it's difficult to find visual schedule apps that are easy to set up AND free. I just can't make you all wait until I field test it. It comes with a sample, but the idea is to make your own. Unlike many visual schedules, its left to right instead of up and down, which may make more sense for some students. As they finish each task, they tap the picture. The picture flips over and either gives a clapping sound or you can record a reward message (or prompt the person on what to do next). It has a background picture you can set with one of it's stock pictures (clouds, plain colors), but you can also use your own photographs as well. This feature may seem insignificant, but I immediately got excited. It means I can put a step by step task sequence into a visual scene, giving this schedule something that many of our kids need…CONTEXT! For example you can make a hand washing routine with a picture of the whole bathroom!!. The other thing I liked about it is it doesn't look babyish in anyway at all. You can use this app with any age group! Winner!

Also free today:

EARLY CHILDHOOD

Starfall ABCs by Starfall Education

https://appsto.re/us/V4lLx.i

Normally $2.99

*Also free on Android, see Android section for link

Sago Mini Fairy Tales by Sago Sago

https://appsto.re/us/PjJ12.i

Normally $2.99

*Also on Android, but not free today

Goodnight Mo ~ 3D Interactive Pop-Up Book by StoryToys Entertainment Limited

https://appsto.re/us/dulfQ.i