Memory King

App Name: Memory King
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id457508586?mt=8
Cost: Free!

Pros: This a memory game app that lets you create games for your students. It can be played in a one player setting or in a multiplayer setting as well. Along with being able to create unique memory games, you can also purchase ones that have already been created. You are able to upload pictures for each of the individual cards and also record sound for the cards if you want to add facts or information. Math and this app could be done using facts and having them solve the problem and find the answer that it matches. You could also use it to practice math definitions if necessary. Another fun way to implement this app would be to use story problems by putting a picture and recording the question you would want the students to solve and then find the matching answer. This is also a great app for other subjects as well.

Cons: There are not many downfalls to this app. However, I have not figured out if it is possible to transfer something you created on one iPad and pull up the same game onto another iPad. So it might be a tedious process because you would have to create a new game for every iPad in your classroom.

Other apps: I have not found any other apps similar to this one where you can create your own memory game for specific content.

Bills and Money

The application “Bills and Money” has a lot of different options. The first one, “Counting Bills and Coins”,
shows you pictures of bills and coins and asks you to add them amount. “Show me the money” gives you an amount and a
“coin bank” from which you drag the appropriate coins to make the amount. The “Making
Change” option adds the element of story problems to the app; it asks students
to find the change after a certain transaction has a ocurred. “Matching Amounts” helps students practice
making the same amounts with different representations of coins and bills. With the “Show Values” option, students are free to drag any bills or
coins into the box, then find the total value at the click of a button.

Pros: There are so
many different options and ways to use this app in class. Whether it’s through the document camera with
the whole class, with small groups, individuals, or stations in the classroom,
this app is really helpful in students gain fluency with currency. Not only can you choose the activity, but you
can also choose a level of difficulty. The
strength of the app is definitely its flexibility to meet the students’ needs.
Cons: I can’t really
think of any cons to this application, except that some of the pictures of the
bills are not super clear and hard to read. If I were to knitpick, I would say that the
way the answer pops up in the blue box after you answer the question is a bit
annoying and slows down the process; it would be better if it just shows up on
the original screen in red.

Coin Genius Lite

Free app
Type in Coins Genius Lite on itunes

I think that this app is great for kids who are learning about money. The student has 1 minute to count up how much change is displayed. There are 4 choices of amounts of money to pick from. The student gets points for each correct answer.

The pros for this app are it will be fun for students to compete against each other or themselves to score higher than the time before. There are a variety of amounts shown so students will not get bored or be able to memorize the answers.

The cons for this app are that it is for an ipod so it is a little small and then a little blurry if you enlarge it. It also only has change and I would like it a little more if it included bills as well so it is for those students that are just beginning to learn about money.

Math Soccer

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-soccer/id463954207?mt=8

This is a free app in Itunes.

Pros: This app is a fun app that allows students to practice adding, subtracting, multiplication, and division. Their are two penguins on each side of the soccer field as well as two goals in the center that display a math equation. The soccer ball is being passed between the two penguins and it has a number on it that is the solution to one of the goal problems. The penguin on the bottom must hit the ball into the correct equation that the answer matches. For example the two goals: one says 2 +3 the other 8+7 the ball says 5, so you would hit the ball in to the goal that has 2+3. It has a certain time limit to complete as many goals as possible and it will give you your ranking. Their are different levels for the game that you can choose to start at and levels for the difficulty of the math.

Con: It takes a little time to figure out how to play and there are not any directions explaining how to use/play the app. It is also difficult at times to get the penguin at the bottom to hit the ball in the right direction to score the goal.You have to hit the penguin at the right time to score the goal or it will not go in.

This app is similar to other game apps that practice basic math skills. I think it is pretty similar in comparison. Students who like soccer would maybe enjoy it a little more and I also think that it would be more fun for lower elementary students up to 5th grade.

The app Pearltrees is a must have for just about anyone that is constantly looking for new resources online. With this app you are able to create what is called a pearltree (hense the app name). On that tree you are able to connect webpages that are of interest to you. You are able to set up new main pearls that you can click on and then add secondary pearls to that to create your tree. There is also a neat feature that is on the top of the screen and says related interests. When you click on that several new pearls appear around your tree. Those are pearls that other people have posted. If you like any of the sites that those people have on their trees you can click on it and drag it down to the bottom of the screen and then add it to your pearltree when you are ready. Since I have started my pearltree I have secondary pearls for; school, 21st century learning, lesson plan resources, teacher websites, and ipad. I have personally added 43 pearls (websites) and have grabbed several more from other people.

One of the nicest things about this app is that when you open an account you can access it on your regular computer so you can add and use pearls from your normal PC or MAC. This is great because if you add a pearl on your computer and then you need to find it on your ipad it is automatically there. There is a little set up time that goes into getting it working properly but once you do I promise it will become an invaluble resource for you.

The app is free and can be found in the app store by typing in pearltrees.

color-uncovered

coloruncovered is an informational, interactive app about how our eyes function (and play tricks on us) and how we perceive everyday images. I would say it would be best for middle school, up. There are some concepts that may not make sense for younger children. (You could, however, just select certain pages the younger ones would understand.)
Cost: Free
Pros: 100% interactive activities that make you want to know the reasons for the different scenarios. It doesn't just give all the answers, it makes you think why first. It has both movies to watch and explanations to read. Very creative. It makes you think differently about the way your eyes work. It also goes beyond our eyes and explains animals eyes and facts about technology.
Cons: Mentions of evolution and how we were underwater when our eyes went through different developmental stages.
Uses in education: This can be used in a science class when learning about the human body and how it functions. It could be part of a section on how eyes work/function. It can also be used in an art class for some "background" information on how we literally perceive art as well as a very short history lesson.

Number Math

App reviewed: Number Math

Price: Free

First of all, I apologize for the constant underline attached to this post's text. I did not mean to underline everything I say, I just don't know how to undo it and would appreciate anyone who can tell me how - I think it has something to do with the HTML but I'm just not that tech savvy.

I was reminded of the Number Line app we used in class last week while using Number Math. It contains exercises that can be adjusted (number of questions, difficulty level) and address consecutive number order, quantities, and rounding. Each question set is timed but the user is not penalized for time taken. Potential answers are avaiable in fields of 1, 2, or 3 - the format is mostly a drag'n'drop the correct answer. Correct answers make a pleasant "popping" sound and wrong answers get a buzzer.

I would utilize this as a practice app with very little classroom use, however I believe that a teacher could put this app under a document camera for full class use if desired.

Pros: Simple, easy to use format with difficulty and set limits. A student cannot submit the wrong answer so mistakes and correct answers are almost immediately identified. The drag'n'drop limits the amount of work a student would have to do (as opposed to a type-in format) so fine motor skills are utilized in a low-stress situation.

Cons: The difficulty level is really just higher numbers, not more complex operations as is seen in math textbooks. The scope of the math covered by this app is not very deep.

Pass the Past

I downloaded Pass the Past. This app intrigued me because it is a free app put out in order to aid students in preparing for the Virginia state standardized tests. The app is very educational, perhaps one of the best educational apps I've seen that is free. It is geared towards third grade and provides feedback after the questions. The questions are presented with a lot of graphics and fun colors in order to be a little more friendly than a scantron. Also, the questions are crafted similarly to standardized test questions and even include some diagrams that students might see on the test itself.

Some pros of this app are that it's free and educational. This app would be a great review and is full of information. The questions are organized by category so students can focus on their areas of weakness in order to boost scores. Parents and teachers alike will feel reassured that kids are learning through technology, especially if using this app.

There aren't many cons to this app. I find it bizarre that such an emphasis is placed on standardized tests that an app to help prepare kids has been created.

I could see this being especially useful before a test, in the car, or as a game in the classroom. 3.5 out of 4 stars.

Clube

Clube is a free app for a limited time.
Overview: Clube is a journaling app similar to storyboard but in my opinion it's way better. It is made for the iPad and it has more options. You create Journals either or public but it can also be used to present ideas in a fun new way.

Pros: It is much easier to figure out than story board. It is for the iPad not iPod so it isn't grainy when you use it. You can control it's privacy settings to suit your needs as you go. You can use it for ELA, social studies, personal uses, math, science, basically anything.

Cons: Sometimes it freezes on me and it is frustrating. I had issues opening journals so I'd shut down my iPad and have to try again.



Uses: I would use this for students or myself in any of the above ways mentioned. They can share with the class privately share with me or keep it to themselves.

I found the app Itooch math grade 5- lite. Free app for the lite version. The full version is $4.99

Overview: Has five different categories that include: numbers and operations, fractions, measuring and estimating, graphs and stats, and geometry. Each category has different section of test or practice rounds. While answering the questions it keeps a score. You get a box filled for correct answers taken away for incorrect and you need to reach a certain amount.

Pros: The categories are very fitting for this age level. In each round the questions were very similar so it allowed for a good review for the student. I also liked that it was in game form. I found myself not being able to stop until I filled up the score boxes. There is also a little orange guy who makes faces at you and throws things when you answer questions. He was very entertaining to watch. The levels are also set up as a progress chart. It keeps track of how well you did in each level. You can also pull out scratch paper so you can work out the answer to the problem.

Cons: When taking the test portion it was timed. It gave a decent amount of time it can just be more nerve racking when there is time. Obviously, since its the lite version there was a few areas that I’m sure are improved in the full version.

Uses: I would use this as a review or practice for my class. Maybe after learning the lesson on that topic they could play a round. Therefore, I could see who understood it right away. It could also be great for a test review to practice each level. These are even great example questions to ask your classroom even if they are not playing the game.

Rocket Math Free

The second app that I chose to review for the blog is called Rocket Math Free. As you can see by its name, it is a free app that involves rockets and math. There are actually a lot of different things you can do on this app. One of the modes you can build a rocket of your own. However, each part of the rocket costs money and the only way to accumulate money to buy the parts is to solve math problems. The main mode of the app is going on "math missions." You do this by selecting what kind of problems you want to solve. The options available are numbers, time, U.S. money, shapes/patterns, and multiply and divide. Then you launch your rocket into space and they will give you a question with the answer on falling stars and you have to tap the correct stars as quick as you can. Depending on how you do you are given a medal. If you get gold medals you get to move on and the missions become harder.

Pros- The biggest pro of this app is definitely that it offers a lot for free. The second pro is the variety of problem types the app offers. You can solve anything from addition problems to early basic geometry questions.

Cons- This isn't the full version so to complete the missions on the app you would have to purchase the full version.

This would be a great app to use for children learning about the topics covered in the app. There are three different levels of difficulty that you can set it to. That would allow students struggling and those with a better understanding to both use this app as further practice to follow up a lesson.

Splash Math 3

Hyperlink: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/splash-math-3rd-grade-math/id449564960?mt=8

Cost: Free for Place Value and Number Sense but $0.99 for each extra section or $9.99 for all 16 chapters.

Pros: This app is very bright, colorful, and easy to navigate and use, perfect for 3rd graders. It is all based around an underwater theme and has fun animation sequences. There is a practice section that allows you to take quizzes and scores you out of 20. You can change the difficulty settings from easy to medium to hard. You can also take official tests and the reports can be sent to an email address of your choosing. There is also an interesting point system that allows you to unlock bonus features inside an aquarium that lets you have fun with different fish as you earn more points. There is a very wide range of mathematics covered if you purchase the full version and can be very useful to review with.

Cons: To be able to use the full app you need to pay $9.99, which is pretty expensive. Also, there is no instruction section of the app so it really is only good for reviewing concepts already learned. The bonus "prizes" section is fun, but it could possibly be a distraction to students trying to stay on task.

I would use this app mainly to help students brush up on concepts before tests or quizzes. It is simple repetition of mathematical concepts and would be very helpful. Struggling students could use the app to improve their understanding of certain concepts and the progress tracker can be used to assess how well a student is improving. I can also use the app as a way of accommodating for students who learn better in different ways. Having the visualization of the concepts in front of them in a unique way could possibly help struggling students grasp the concepts better.

It is slightly similar to the other app I reviewed, Math Tutor Lite 2. Both of these apps provide sections for practice, formal tests, and assessment. Although Math Tutor Lite 2 is not as polished as Splash Math 3, it did provide an instruction section to help better clarify the concepts. Both apps also use playful animation in sync with the quizzing process. The full Splash Math 3 covers a wider range of concepts than Math Tutor 2, but both can be useful tools in reviewing and practicing.