Now Tech That!: Appy Friday 2/26/16

Appy Friday!

I have to apologize, not only am I posting late, my list of links to free apps is small today. Either developers are holding out or my blogs/apps have very little to share.

Have a great weekend,

Betsy

Reviews

Early Childhood

Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat Color & Create! by Random House LLC

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

Normally $3.99

In preparation for Dr. Seuss’s birthday, here is a cute coloring app that features coloring pages for younger students to color. It comes with 16 pages. You have a spinning wheel on the bottom to select paint colors and effects (stickers, stamps, confetti, etc). I like that there is an option to take a picture of your completed work and it will throw the screen shot in your photo roll.

Elementary

Next - Numbers by Vito Technology Inc.

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

Normally $1.99

*Also free on Android, see Android section for link

Technically this is a game app (shhh!), but easily used for educational purposes! It gives you a mosaic like design with numbers 1-15 spread randomly on the screen. The object is to tap the numbers in number order as fast as you can. There are two modes, one where you beat the clock called “Blitz”. The other mode is “Zen”, where you can you tap the numbers at your own speed. The purpose of Zen mode is to work on beating your personal best time. In addition to speed racing, the more accurate you are in putting numbers in order, the bigger score you get. For special educators, this is a great way to practice counting. For Occupational Therapists, you can have students who are working on visual perceptual or finger isolation use this app. Obviously if your student dislikes being timed, this is not a good fit for that user. (In OT, it’s not just handwriting that should have no tears!)

Middle-High School

*Nothing exciting to report!

Always Free, Always Awesome

Trace and Share by True Digital Content and Media Company

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/trace-share/id568839447?mt=8

*Also free on Google Play, see Android section for link

Here’s an adorable fine motor, early childhood app that works on pre-writing skills. The students trace straight, diagonal or curved lines on a path that slowly increases in difficulty. After you trace the line with your train, helicopter, fish and other objects and characters, it puts in it in a cute animation. If you go outside the lines, it will just stopped off where you left off so your student won’t get frustrated if they make a mistake. I like that it sticks to the basic pre-writing strokes and doesn’t put early childhood students into non-developmentally appropriate shapes. (If they need a challenge, you can use another app!)

Links

EARLY CHILDHOOD

Toca Hair Salon Me by Toca Boca AB

https://appsto.re/us/T1dKR.i

Normally $2.99

*Also on Google Play, but not free today

Build and Play 3D - Planes, Trains, Robots and More by Croco Studio

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

Normally $2.99

*Also on Google Play, but not free today

INTERACTIVE STORYBOOK/ELECTRONIC STORYBOOKS

Lil' Red - An Interactive Story by Brian Main