Free/Discounted iPad Apps Today

I just wanted to share a few apps that are free or discounted currently as I write this. These might not be free by the time you click the links.

Haiku Deck - Haiku Deck has always been free. But, there are in-app purchases that normally cost $1.99 each. Right now, certain ones are free, but get them quickly. The themes titled: Lucha, Orwell, Strangelove, and Underdog. I would check each theme to be certain that the others didn't go free. Regardless of getting these themes or not, Haiku Deck is a must have app for presenting with great visuals and forces slides to become succinct. This app is constantly improving and recently they released a presentation remote associated with the iPhone app. So, download this one and try to find the free themes.

Publisher Star (notes, flyers, scrapbooks pages,etc) - At first glance, this apps was fairly easy to understand. When opening the app for the first time, there are a few example projects to manipulate and publish with several choices.

4 Dice a Fractions Game - This looks like an interesting collaborative app, and I would like to see this game played with students. The one thing I didn't like is the Facebook connection within this app. Too often, iPad games that would be great for kids have a Facebook connection, and promoting a Facebook connection in class just isn't an option (or risk) that many teachers want take.

Storyteller Deluxe - It's not a pretty app. In fact, as I was playing with it, the top portion of the screen was partially blocked by the bar indicating my wireless signal. However, this apps seems to get the job done when creating a digital story. Students can add text, audio, images, and share their final products.

PICSMART for Sped. On Sale for 9.99 normally 99.99 - This would be a great app for parents or teachers that work with children that need help communicating their needs or feelings verbally.

#2:00 EdTech Goals

Not too long ago, I was talking to my 18 year-old brother about developing an app (you know, just normal brother talk). Basically, my brother is a big time gamer, and I like bouncing ideas off him about game elements within eLearning projects or hypothetical game-based educational apps.

When I was walking out of his room, I saw the image above taped to his wall.  The post-it-note attached to the wall with electrical tape caught my attention.  I asked, "What's with 2:00?"  And after a few attempts to avoid answering my question, he eventually told me that is when he writes.  I think he was a little embarrassed to admit that he writes, and I wonder why.  Being a teacher, this absolutely made my day.

Of course, I had to probe deeper into this "2:00 thing," which could be the real reason he was hesitant on revealing what it was.  Eventually, he told me he had been writing a fantasy inspired by the video games (WOW and League of Legends) he plays and the books he reads.

We all need our 2:00 goals.  I sometimes have too many.  If you knew me on a personal level, you would know that I like to pose fabulous "I would like tos."  For instance, I would like to own my own a Coffee Truck, start-up an EdTech company, write a children's book, make animated short films, rebuild my dad's old motorcycle, write for comedies, and so on.  My problem is that I like to talk about these ideas more than act on them.

My latest 2:00 goal is to develop an educational game app for iOS.  I was thinking about using the MakeGamesWith.Us platform to get started, and then figure out how doable my idea is.  I tried a few things with Tree House when I had a free account, but I didn't force myself to sit down and learn.

Being a proponent for change in schools, especially with the use of EdTech, I hear the phrase, "I don't have time." But, it's a matter of making time.  Clearing out all of the unimportant and trivial tasks that fill our days is a must.  Make time!

Then, to ensure your goals are being met, go public with these goals and make sure people know what you are attempting to complete.  As I gear up to take a stab at app/game development, I will try to post my reflections occasionally.  I don't know if what I make will be educational at first, but I need to just try.  And if it is too difficult, I can maybe just hire and/or partner with an app developer, like the following cartoon suggests.

With New Year's resolutions knocking on our doors, people will be writing or talking about how to achieve their goals for 2014 over the next few weeks.  But regardless of the New Year Resolution bandwagon, making time for your goals is more important than making wild "I'd like to..." statements.

My 2:00 is about taking action and finishing my personal goals.  I need to start completing or at least making progress toward these goals.  That's why I am going to dedicate a specific time at least weekly to accomplish at least one of my goals.

What is your 2:00?

KidBlog App

The following image was created to review the features within the KidBlog app.  I have the embedded Scribd window below with a link the PDF if wanted, but I also have the image of below the Scribd window.  I am sharing this along with the slides from my session on KidBlog.

Kidblog App

Book Creator App

I have been playing around with an eBook creator app, entitled Book Creator, for a little while now.  But, I have only had one classroom attempt to create an ePub with this app.  To get started with Book Creator, take a look the video below for a broad overview of this app.

Book Creator for the iPad from Red Jumper Studio on Vimeo.

Fun Activity

I thought this was an engaging an interesting collaborative story activity.  Start a story on one iPad and pass the story around the room with each student adding the next page of the book.  A few teachers and a network administrator started to do this and we can up with a fun story about a dysfunctional printer.

See what your students can come up with and try your first book for FREE with Book Creator! 

Tellagami App

Use the Tellagami app on your iPads or Android device to record and share messages with your students via Twitter, Email, Text message, or through a link on your preferred website.  For my school district, I would suggest making the Gami and sharing it through Edmodo, Moodle, or Blog post.  For the teachers with iPads, I would suggest using a QR code or the Chirp app.

As you can see my Gami below, I used it to provide my students with an writing prompt.  It's a completely generic after-break prompt, but you get the idea of how to use it in the classroom.  Classroom activities for using this tool:

• Greetings
• Class assignments
• Writing prompts
• Short stories
• Reflections
• Exit slips
• Messages to class when out for the day

Sample Message to Students

Sample Message to Teachers

iOS Tips from Haiku Deck

Created with Haiku Deck, the free presentation app for iPad

Content Covered isn't Content Learned

ToonThat-Storytelling App

ToonThat- This is app has the potential to offer examples of grammatical features, literary elements, or writing tips.  Using a comic strip provides students with a visual storyline that works in tandem with the instructional concept.  It's a quick and easy way to provide students with examples that illustrate a certain writing concept.  I recommend using it to assist instruction, but students could also use this app to create short stories or demonstrate what they have learned.  With up to sixteen panels, ToonThat is a nice free app to use within the classroom. 

Here are two examples of ToonThat comic strips that I created. 

  

Splashtop 2

I have been asked in the past, "how did you control your computer with the iPad?"  While working with or teaching classes, I have used my iPad to scroll through presentations or click/open certain applications on the MacBook.  To do this, there are several apps that allow you to control your MacBook's desktop from your iPad or even iPhone.

But, Splashtop seems to be the app that provides the biggest bang for your buck.  Right now, the holiday season has caused the Splashtop app to come down in price.  The current price is only $2.99.  Its regular price is $19.99, and I suggest picking it up at this lower price.  To allow this app to work with your MacBook, the Splashtop Remote Desktop would also need to be downloaded and setup on your computer.  As a warning, though the initial setup isn't too difficult, it can be tedious.  Nevertheless, the Splashtop app and remote desktop is worth $3 and the setup time.  This app combo offers an easy way to unleash teachers from the front of the room.

App: Doceri

Doceri is a must have app.  As I write these words, this app offers a free trial.  It will allow your iPad to share your desktops screen and there are many Interactive Whiteboard tools associated with this app.  It is easy to use and connects to your computer through a QR code or password.  The Doceri dashboard shows the QR code that could quickly connect your iPad with your MacBook.

I used it with a Keynote presentation and easily scrolled through the slides.  Then, when I wanted to highlight certain point on the slide, I just choose the interactive whiteboard feature and a highlighter tool.  Doceri also allowed me to record the presentation for others to view the screencast presentation.

I can see Doceri being used to limit the time stuck in front of the class.  It would allow you to present concepts and freely move around, which can help keep your students on-task.

Here's what you do:

1. Download the app on your iPad
2. Download Doceri Desktop on you MacBook
• If you need assistance, let me know
3. Open the Desktop App for the MacBook and the Doceri App at the same time
4. Type your password to connect or point the the iPad camera at the QR code
5. At this point, you should have control of your computer screen with the iPad

Using Video Game Reviews for Writing

Video Game Reviews 

Breaking into the world of student blogging can be a daunting task for many teachers.  From my experience, "book talks" are usually the first thing teachers use when taking this giant leap for student-kind.  And this is a fantastic way to get your "feet wet" with student blogging.

Nevertheless, my mind goes to the unmotivated students fairly quickly.  Of course, just because we are engaging in digital media doesn't mean that digitally-motivated students will take to blogging without instructional guidance.   Teachers still need to provide students with a set of guidelines and guidance.  It also doesn't hurt to display a few anchor papers or models of great book reviews.

From my experience, many of my unmotivated students were boys that really liked video games.  To get my unmotivated students to write anything, I would usually have to start with..."Well, what do you really like to do?"  This question would open the flood gates to a description of their fictitious wartime experience.  The following sections refer to Common Sense Media and their latest app.

Common Sense Media

I have the Common Sense Media app on my iPhone, and I would suggest it for any teacher or parent with an iPhone.  If you don't have a phone compatible with this app, go to the Common Sense Media website to locate review on various forms of media.  This reliable organization has innumerable and invaluable resources for household families and classroom families.

Lesson Idea:

Here's my idea. It's fairly simplistic. Locate a few well-written reviews of popular video games.  Then, using a document camera, the CSM website, and a LCD, display the review for students to see. When visible, read and evaluate the written video game review.  Highlight the important features of what makes the review a great example.

Step 1: Choose the "Games" category to locate game reviews.  Essentially, you can choose whatever form of media you would like.  I chose the "Games" category to appeal to my gamers.

Step 2: Locate a couple popular games the students discuss on occasion.  If you don't know what games they like, start this conversation and learn about your students' interests outside of school.  To take this a step further, refer to Paula Naugle's 10 Ten Days of Passion.  I choose Halo 4 and as you can see it received a 5 star review.  Parents are given a brief overview of the game and they can preview the storyline.

Step 3: Display and read the app review to the students.  Highlight the features that make the review standout from boring reviews.  Ask: Why is the review well-written?  Does this review make you want to buy the game?  Why?  Is it any good?

Step 4: Have students write their own reviews for different products.  Then, have students become critical friends to discuss and revise their writing.  After that, have students blog their first blog review or product review.  Do they recommend or  not recommend the product?

Tip: To evaluate an apps appropriateness, review the ratings below the review and narrative sections.

This isn't a mind-blowing idea, but just a method for reaching out to the gamers.  Overall, this idea will hopefully make writing book reviews less of a disconnected task.  It at least provides a real-world connections students can use a springboard.  Thank you Common Sense Media for giving me the common sense to utilize this app for writing instruction.

What about having students write other product reviews for multimedia?  How can this idea be taken to the next level?  What type of project could proliferate from this small idea?  Please share your thoughts.