Thing 16 - Content Area

Evaluating Apps 

Student App Rubric form

Review of Sock Puppet App

Review of a new app - free

Finding Apps 

National Geo. World Atlas Scored

National Geographic World Atlas

NG World Atlas info

Jungle Coins

Jungle Coins info

EF High Flyers 2

EF High Flyers 2

EF High Flyers 2 info

(1) National Geographic World Atlas - Using a globe in class can be challenging with only one globe and 28 students.  With this app, each student with an iPad has their own globe in their hand.  I chose this app because it was in the top 5 from Appo and because students can see the topography of land as well as borders of countries and states.

(2) Jungle Coins - This app allows children to practice working with money in four ways:  find coins, count money, compare coins and correct change.  It has real coin images along with cartoon graphics; there are 6 levels for varied ability practice.  It gives instant feedback for the child.  I chose this app because I liked the previews and it was listed as a top app by Technology in Education’s BEST APP of the year, top 5 on Appo and it is featured by Apple in several categories.

(3) EF (English First) High Flyers 2 - This app is to assist ESL learners to increase their vocabulary use.  It speaks the vocabulary words to you and then after studying you can take a quiz.  It keeps track of what you have correct and incorrect.  I chose this app because it was the number one app in it’s category according to Appo.

The National Geographic World Atlas app is part of the Volume Purchase Program.  The app is normally $ 1.99 (1-19), but can be purchased for $0.99 if buying 20 or more units of this app.  This is a 50% discount for this app for educators, a savings of $1.00 per unit x the number of iPads in our school.

By using an evaluation process, it will make sure that the app money budgeted for the school year is used effectively, fairly and is spent on apps that meet the needs of all students in our school.  Since we are a K-3 school, there will be a big difference in some apps for kindergartners vs. those for third graders’ abilities.  I think a team or committee for choosing apps should be established and have representatives from each grade level and special area teachers.  Each rep. could fill out an evaluation form, additional things to consider are the number of standards are covered by using that particular app.  This piece of information would be just as valuable as the cost of the app.