Mobile Apps for the Classroom
Resources for the Elementary Teacher and Student
Journal Jar
Journal Jar, made by ExclusiveTutors.com, is an app with a very simple, yet useful premise - students "shake" the app to get a topic. Topics are open ended, and students are able to keep clicking through the different topics until they find one that they like.
Found at: http://exclusivetutors.com/apps/journaljar/
Example in the classroom: the Journal Jar app can be used on Grade 3 students' mobile devices during literacy centers. Students can choose their own topic to do 10 minutes of creative writing in their journal on.
Found at: http://exclusivetutors.com/apps/journaljar/
Example in the classroom: the Journal Jar app can be used on Grade 3 students' mobile devices during literacy centers. Students can choose their own topic to do 10 minutes of creative writing in their journal on.
Talking Tom and Ben News
Talking Tom and Ben News, created by Out Fit 7 Ltd, in a mobile app that allows students to create a script that "Tom and Ben", the cat and dog characters, to say on a news report. Students are able to control the actions of the characters, as well as upload their own video to play in the front of the desk. Videos are able to be uploaded into Youtube and Facebook.
Found at: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/talking-tom-ben-news/id444946356?mt=8
Example in the classroom: students can use this app during Grade 4 Social Studies, when learning about historical events in Canada's past. As a possible assignment, students can create the script for an event to be reported by Tom and Ben, and upload the video so that the rest of the class can access it.
Found at: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/talking-tom-ben-news/id444946356?mt=8
Example in the classroom: students can use this app during Grade 4 Social Studies, when learning about historical events in Canada's past. As a possible assignment, students can create the script for an event to be reported by Tom and Ben, and upload the video so that the rest of the class can access it.
Bunsella Bedtime Stories
In this app, created by Bunsella Eduational Technologies, stories can be narrated and the voice recorded for each page of a story book, and sent to an email, Facebook and YouTube account. The receiver of the story is able to reply with a video narration.
Found at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bunsella-bedtimes-story/id501260057
Example in the classroom: Students in Grade 1 language arts can have increased access to books being read aloud (one of the most effective methods for acquiring vocabulary and comprehension development) through this app. Teachers or parents can record the reading of a story book for the student to access at home or at school.
Found at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bunsella-bedtimes-story/id501260057
Example in the classroom: Students in Grade 1 language arts can have increased access to books being read aloud (one of the most effective methods for acquiring vocabulary and comprehension development) through this app. Teachers or parents can record the reading of a story book for the student to access at home or at school.
What kind of monster are you?
VoiceThread
In this app by voicethread.com, students can upload pictures and videos on a mobile device, and add their voice, text, and drawings right onto the screen. The finished version can be emailed to anyone so that someone can look at the picture/video file or collection and hear/see what the student has to say about it.
Found at: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/voicethread/id465159110?mt=8
Example in the classroom: Students in a grade 4 class that are working in a collaborative setting, perhaps in pairs for a group project, can use this app to collect and send each other ideas in a personal and efficient way. A screen shot of an informative website can be uploaded and the student can record their thoughts and ideas regarding what to use from the site, and this can be sent right to their partner's computer, regardless of location.
Found at: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/voicethread/id465159110?mt=8
Example in the classroom: Students in a grade 4 class that are working in a collaborative setting, perhaps in pairs for a group project, can use this app to collect and send each other ideas in a personal and efficient way. A screen shot of an informative website can be uploaded and the student can record their thoughts and ideas regarding what to use from the site, and this can be sent right to their partner's computer, regardless of location.
Quick Response Codes
These are matrix barcodes can be scanned on a mobile device and will instantly connect to a URL. Although commonly used in company marketing, the time efficiency and ease of this mobile app can be very useful in the elementary classroom.
Found at: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ or various other sites.
Example in the classroom: In Grade 6 science, students can scan the QR code on their way into the classroom, which will link to a site about Forensics, where students can start reading and collecting information and terminology needed for instruction. No time is wasted, and students have the site to refer back to in the future without needing to record a long URL address by hand.
Found at: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ or various other sites.
Example in the classroom: In Grade 6 science, students can scan the QR code on their way into the classroom, which will link to a site about Forensics, where students can start reading and collecting information and terminology needed for instruction. No time is wasted, and students have the site to refer back to in the future without needing to record a long URL address by hand.