Dice by Benoit Layer

Dice

iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dice/id429412843?mt=8

Description: Dice rolling simulator app. Roll up to 5 dice on the iPod Touch or up to 20 on the iPad.

Hints/Tips:

• Settings lets you control:
• Where the dice launch from
• Dice color (random produces multiple colored dice with each roll)
• Background (rolling surface)
• Number of Dice (up to 5 on iPod, up to 20 on iPad)
• Tapping the background rolls all dice.
• After each roll the total of all dice displayed is shown in the watermark number in the center of the screen (this total includes any dice saved in the sidebar).
• After each roll you can store dice in the side bar on the left.
• Dice can be moved around on the background to put them in order or sort them.
• Use the trash can symbol to reset the dice stored in the sidebar.

Integration Ideas:

• Math
• Roll dice to generate data to practice graphing. Set the dice to number to 5 and the color to random. Students roll and create a chart to show the total rolled of each color. After 10 rolls, students graph the results.
• Roll dice to create random equations. If you use the random color, you could assign an operation to each color (green is add, yellow is subtract... etc).
• Roll dice and practice sorting by different attributes (color, number, odd, even, etc).
• Other
• Make a quick decision over who gets to go first for an activity. Have students roll 3 dice, the highest (or lowest) total gets to go first.

Feeling inspired? Comment below with your ideas!  OR try it out with your class and leave comments about what you did and how it went!

iChoose - Free

iChoose - Free

iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ichoose/id285881085?mt=8

Description: Several random choice generators including dice, coin toss, and card choice. Just pick the generator you want and simply tap the screen to "roll".

Hints/Tips:

• The dice (or other items) automatically reset after displaying a short time.
• Use the "Hold Outcome" button to have the dice stay on the last roll until rolled again. They will not automatically reset as long as you have the "Hold Outcome" button selected.

Integration Ideas:

• Math
• Use the dice roller to generate numbers for equations to practice adding, subtracting, multiplying, etc.
• Use the card choice roller to generate playing cards for any number of math games. Check out this site for a list of ideas: http://www.primary-education-oasis.com/math-card-games.html
• Explore probability concepts with each type of roller provided.
• Generate data to graph by rolling one of the choosers available.
• Use the random number chooser (1-100) to generate numbers for more advanced addition/subtraction.
• Other
• Give each student in class a real playing card. Use the Card Choice roller to choose students for groups/activities.

Feeling inspired? Comment below with your ideas!  OR try it out with your class and leave comments about what you did and how it went!

Bill Atkinson PhotoCard - Postcards

Bill Atkinson PhotoCard - Postcards

iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bill-atkinson-photocard-postcards/id333208430?mt=8

Website Link: http://www.billatkinson.com/aboutPhotoCard.html

Description: Create photo postcards with Bill Atkinson's nature photos, or insert photos/screenshots of your own.

Hints/Tips:

• We cannot sent the postcards via email on our CISD Guest Wireless Network.
• The voice option only works when you email the postcards.
• The postcards don't appear to be saved in any sort of gallery within the app.
• When finished the students could take a screenshot of their completed post card. You could then pull the screen shots off using a sync cable or they could "bump" the screenshots to you.
• There are many great photos by Bill Atkinson you could use. However, students could take their own photos or screenshots of an image to use instead.

Integration Ideas:

• Math
• Take a photo of a shape. Students write the postcard from the point of view of the shape including sharing the attributes of the shape.
• Take a photo of a math workmat. Students write postcards to explain the concept they have learned.
• Science
• Take a photo of a science experiment. Write the postcard from the point of view of one of the necessary materials.
• Social Studies
• Take screen shots of landform photos. Students write a postcard as if they are visiting that landform.
• Language Arts
• Students choose a photo and write a postcard from the point of view of a character in a story.
• Students choose a photo and practice letter writing skills.
• Other
• Students take a photo/screenshot of an instrument/composer and write what they have learned about that concept.
• Students take a photo/screenshot of a piece of artwork and write from the point of view of the artist/subject.

Feeling inspired? Comment below with your ideas!  OR try it out with your class and leave comments about what you did and how it went!

iPod/iPad Speak

iPod/iPad Speak

Did you know your iPad/iPod can read any text you select out loud to you? All you have to do is turn on this feature in the settings! Here are some directions:

http://www.cultofmac.com/135336/how-to-make-your-ios-devices-read-selected-text-out-loud-ios-tip/

This is great for students that want to get information from websites. They can listen and follow along!

Bump

Bump

iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bump/id305479724?mt=8

Website Link: none

Description: Want students to send pictures/screen shots to each other's devices? Want them to "turn in" their iDevice work to your device? It's as easy as bumping two devices together! (note: fingers are actually in between the devices when bumped)

Hints/Tips:

• The Bump app has to be on both devices.
• DO NOT actually bump the devices together, you should hold the device so that your fingers bump.
• This should be done with care not to drop the devices.
• Open the app on both devices, then "bump" them. The app should recognize the other device and ask you to verify the device for the bump.

Integration Ideas:

• Can be used in ANY subject area to share images between devices.
• Bump is a great way to get all the pictures you need to ONE device, instead of having to plug them in individually to your computer to get the images off.

Feeling inspired? Comment below with your ideas!  OR try it out with your class and leave comments about what you did and how it went!

Audioboo

Audioboo

iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/audioboo/id305204540?mt=8

Website Link: http://audioboo.fm/

Description: Create and share 3 minute audio recordings. You can create a FREE account on the website for your class. Have students log into the app with your username and password. Whatever they record syncs to your account online.

Hints/Tips:

• Requires a microphone (newer iPods and iPads have them built in), but you would need to plug one in if you have an older iPod Touch.
• You can create a FREE account on the website for your class. Have students log into the app with your username and password. Whatever they record syncs to your account online.
• Recordings/Podcasts can be sent instantly to itunes from the website.

Integration Ideas:

• Math
• Have students record their problem solving steps and save the recordings for others to listen to.
• Create a "Math in the Real World" radio show/podcast. Have students give examples of how math is used every day.
• Science
• Create a radio show/podcast about (insert science topic here). Have students come up with short audio skits to review the concepts for a test.
• Social Studies
• Record conversations as famous people in history.
• Create a radio show/podcast about the Bill of Rights.
• Language Arts
• Students build fluency by reading out loud and recording their reading.
• Teach students to take running records of their own reading/recordings.
• Create a Book Review radio show/podcast where students give a 3 minute book review of a book they have read.
• Other
• Create your own teacher podcast and record each days important topics (in 3 minute segments). Students can log in and listen to them to review what they missed.

Feeling inspired? Comment below with your ideas!  OR try it out with your class and leave comments about what you did and how it went!

Idea Sketch

Idea Sketch

iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/idea-sketch/id367246522?mt=8

Website Link: none

Description: Create a thinking map, convert it to an outline, and back again.

Hints/Tips:

• Images can be saved to the photos app then "bumped" to another device.

Integration Ideas:

• Can be used in any content area to create a thinking map or outline.

Feeling inspired? Comment below with your ideas!  OR try it out with your class and leave comments about what you did and how it went!

Socrative

Socrative

iTunes Link: 

• Teacher:http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/socrative-teacher/id477620120?mt=8
• Student:http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/student-clicker-socrative/id477618130?mt=8

Website Link: 

• Main - http://www.socrative.com/
• Teacher Web Version - http://t.socrative.com
• Student Web Version - http://m.socrative.com

Description: Socrative is a FREE student response system. It works on any device with a web browser. There are also apps available for iDevices.

Hints/Tips:

• If you use the teacher app to create your account, it will do it instantly. If you create it through the website it takes a bit longer.
• It may be best to not put the teacher app on all your devices.
• Once your account is created you are assigned a room number that is always the same.

Integration Ideas:

• Can be used in any subject area to engage students and make every lesson more interactive.

Feeling inspired? Comment below with your ideas!  OR try it out with your class and leave comments about what you did and how it went!

Tour Wrist

Tour Wrist App for iPad or iPod Touch

iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tour-wrist/id335671384?l=es&mt=8

Website Link: http://tourwrist.com/

Description: Virtual 360 degree tours of all kinds of places.  You can hold the device and move it around to see what is all around you OR use your finger to "look" around.

Hints/Tips:

• Preview the tours before you send students.  Check for inappropriate content. I haven't noticed any yet, but as more pictures are added from users, it could happen.
• To send students to a specific tour, have them browse for it.  Click Browse, then type the name in the search box.  Tell them which "pin" on the map you want them to choose.
• Have students take a screen shot (hold down home button and press power button once) to document where they have been.  This is also a great way for you to take the picture into another app (like a photo editor) to add to the lesson.
• Some tours have multiple pictures/scenes.  Click the little "next" arrow to see more views of that place.
• If you don't want students moving all around they can click "touch" to move the picture with their fingers. They can always click "gyro" to go back to actual movement.  Note: Using "touch" mode takes out the kinesthetic learners enjoyment as well as the engagement for some students, so encourage the movement when appropriate!
• Note: As with any app/website you should supervise and direct students in this app.  There are photos that could be considered by some as inappropriate (think of what you might see on a Las Vegas street or a beach in France).  Images accepted in some cultures/locales may not be appropriate for the classroom. :-)

Integration Ideas:

• Math
• Shape Recognition - Students choose a tour and then identify shapes in that tour.
• Counting - Students choose a tour and then count different objects in the picture (windows, trees, chairs, etc)
• Equations - Have students make up equations or story problems about the picture.  The room has 3 chairs, if two chairs break how many would be left?  3-2=1
• Science
• Making Observations - Browse for nature photos (click browse, then type nature in the advanced search box).  Have students make observations from the photo. 
• Inferring - Browse for nature photos. Ask leading questions that connect to the content you're studying.  What types of rocks do you see?  How can you recognize the types?  What season is it? What evidence do you have?
• Social Studies
• Landforms - Browse for different landforms and make a thinking map of what you find.  How many rivers are there?  How many mountains?
• Map Skills - Every time you use the advanced search pins appear on a map where there are tours.  Use map vocabulary and skills with students.
• Cultures - Take tours in other parts of the world and compare them to ours.
• Language Arts
• Creative Writing - Students browse for a photo that inspires them, then write a story for that picture. It could be the setting for the story. Or have students find an object in a picture and write from the point of view of that object.  Students may want to take a screen shot so they can go back there without using the app next time.
• Descriptive Writing - Have students write a descriptive paragraph about a place.  Have students take a screen shot.  Other students can read the writing and guess which ipod it belongs to.
• Other
• It looks like if you visit the website (not the app) you may be able to take and upload your own photos.  Kids could make a virtual tour of the school (photos would need to be done with no students in them for safety).

Feeling inspired? Comment below with your ideas!  OR try one idea out with your class and leave comments about what you did and how it went!