Wow! It has been a crazy month or so. We've tried many different things and have a lot to say about what works really well, what needs improvement, and what we may not use again.
Below is a list of some of the apps and websites we've tried so far.
PicCollage: Students LOVE this app. It's extremely interactive because the students are able to customize their page. It also allows them to input text and pictures so they can have a variety of visuals. We found it worked really well when students created their own text features for their informational article. However, students can get carried away with the color of their font, background, etc. This can lead some students to become off task and as a result, PicCollage should be used with caution.
Popplet: Popplet is a great tool for creating mind maps. Students can compare and contrast books, create concept maps about a topic, and more. The only drawback is that Popplets cannot be saved (at least on the free version) so sharing an iPad can be tricky.
iBooks: We've used iBooks a lot by downloading Reading A-Z books for students on their level. They've really enjoyed reading books on the iPad and it expands the available library for books on their level.
Raz-Kids: This is a big favorite. Students can read and take quizzes to earn points with a built in incentive of building a rocket or robot. The thing I like best about the app is that they can't do the incentive part of it so they spend most of their time actually reading. It's a reward to use the incentives!
Gloss: Tried to use Gloss with a class. It was a big meltdown. Students could not figure out the layers and how to manipulate them. They couldn't understand how to delete text or resize it. It was really difficult for them. In theory, it's an awesome app because you can important graphic organizers. In reality, it's really hard to navigate for a fourth grader.
EduCreations: I love this tool for math, but I think it's also awesome for students explaining their thinking about what they're reading. The possibilities are endless.
Below is a list of some of the apps and websites we've tried so far.
PicCollage: Students LOVE this app. It's extremely interactive because the students are able to customize their page. It also allows them to input text and pictures so they can have a variety of visuals. We found it worked really well when students created their own text features for their informational article. However, students can get carried away with the color of their font, background, etc. This can lead some students to become off task and as a result, PicCollage should be used with caution.
Popplet: Popplet is a great tool for creating mind maps. Students can compare and contrast books, create concept maps about a topic, and more. The only drawback is that Popplets cannot be saved (at least on the free version) so sharing an iPad can be tricky.
iBooks: We've used iBooks a lot by downloading Reading A-Z books for students on their level. They've really enjoyed reading books on the iPad and it expands the available library for books on their level.
Raz-Kids: This is a big favorite. Students can read and take quizzes to earn points with a built in incentive of building a rocket or robot. The thing I like best about the app is that they can't do the incentive part of it so they spend most of their time actually reading. It's a reward to use the incentives!
Gloss: Tried to use Gloss with a class. It was a big meltdown. Students could not figure out the layers and how to manipulate them. They couldn't understand how to delete text or resize it. It was really difficult for them. In theory, it's an awesome app because you can important graphic organizers. In reality, it's really hard to navigate for a fourth grader.
EduCreations: I love this tool for math, but I think it's also awesome for students explaining their thinking about what they're reading. The possibilities are endless.