Smithsonian Channel

Smithsonian Channel for iPad

Free Application

www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/sn/home.do

Pros:  This application has a very good amount of educational videos on it.  They seem to load faster than a YouTube video would load which is another huge plus in a classroom with anxious students.  The videos are updated every time you go into the application so you are constantly shown new videos.  From what I have seen, there is no charge for anything in the application.  The application is very easy to navigate and you can even create a whole channel of videos to watch like a playlist.  The audio on the videos can be played through both the headset as well as the iPad speaker which is better than some other documentary applications I have used.

Cons:   The videos are not necessarily made for a classroom of students viewing pleasure so every video should be previewed before showing the class.  I am also not sure how often videos are bumped off for new videos but that could put a damper on your lesson if you were expecting to have a video and it was taken off. 

 

Educational:   If there is a lesson plan that needs something extra to get the students really excited about it, this is an app to use.  The videos are amazing quality speaking from both a resolution and an educational viewpoint.  There is lots of information in these 2 to 3 minute videos with amazing video of the content.  If you have the time and want to show a more extensive show, this application has 45 minute shows you can view.  This can even be used by an educator to get some extra background knowledge on their content.  

Review written by Gary Hickey