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10 of the best apps for education

As iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches become included in curriculum, here are several education apps you might enjoy
As iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches become more integrated in classrooms, educators and students are looking for new ways to apply them to the learning process. Applications on all of these devices can help automate current classroom processes or present new ways to learn that previously had been unexplored. In this special feature, weve assembled a list of education apps for Apple devices that we think are noteworthy. Five are free, and the other five range in price from $0.99 to $9.99.

By Jenna Zwang, Assistant Editor

Name: Word Lens Best for: Language Classes Cost: Free Features: Instantly translates signage from one language to another through the camera application How to Use: Language teachers can use this program for scavenger hunts *******************

Name: Molecules Best for: Science Classes Cost: Free Features: Allows users to view and manipulate three-dimensional models of different molecules How to Use: Visual learners can see how protein molecules are composed and can download new molecules from the RCSB Protein Data Bank
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Name: Blackboard Mobile Learn Best for: Students and teachers whose campuses already use Blackboard Cost: Free Features: Course listings, organizations users are involved in as well as access to any readings How to Use: Users can enroll in any classes or organizations that they have registered for and download any assignments their instructors have posted ******************************************************

Name: Today in History Best for: History Classes Cost: Free Features: Lists notable events in history as well as important figures who were born or died on a specific date How to Use: Use for trivia quizzes or facts of the day **************************************************************************************

Name: Math Ref Free Best for: Math Classes Cost: Free Features: A free version of Math Ref, this app offers 600 out of over 1,300 formulas, figures, tips, and examples How to Use: Use as a formula study guide or to view graphs of different equations ****************************************************************************************

Name: PI83 Graphing Calculator Best for: Math Classes Cost: $0.99 Features: With over 100 math functions, the graphing calculator is a clone of the TI-83 without the $70 price tag How to Use: Use in place of any calculator to input data, make graphs or matrices ******************************************************************************************

Name: Star Walk Best for: Astronomy Classes Cost: $2.99 Features: An astral telescope; Star Walk adapts its view to wherever the user holds it up to, highlighting constellations and planets How to Use: Use for guided tours of the night sky or to find the location of any specific astral objects **************************************************************************************

Name: Cram Best for: Anyone in need of test prep Cost: $3.99 Features: Both teachers and students can create flashcards and tests and import and share them with others How to Use: Use to study for standardized tests or exams, or create study materials for students *************************************************************************************

Name: Essay Grader Best for: Teachers pressed for time Cost: $5.99 Features: Essay grader comes with a bank of pre-written comments and helps teachers cut down on grading time without writing the same comments over and over again by hand How to Use: After assigning a grade, teachers can then eMail the grade sheet directly to the student or export it to the computer for editing and printing *********************************************************************************

Name: eClicker Best for: Teachers looking for classroom feedback Cost: $9.99 Features: Providing instant results, eClicker charts the class responses, showing which areas are understood and which need more work How to Use: Students select a response to a question composed by the instructor and are then able to participate without fear of being wrong, since only the teacher views the results

http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/01/07/10-of-the-best-apps-for-education/?

Comments:

mikeskara0 says: January 18, 2011 at 9:57 am Good list. Instead of spending $4 for EClicker, I use PollAnywhere, which is no cost.

andycullison says: January 7, 2011 at 7:09 pm

Android for Academics has four apps on the market for teachers; Attendance, Grade Rubric, Grade Ticker, and Grade Book. 3 are free, and a free version of Grade Book is due out this semester.

stockwellapril says: January 24, 2011 at 4:16 pm Really enjoyed the list. However, have to throw in the two apps my company has made: Video Biology:http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/video-biology/id377011725?mt=8 Video Calculus for the iPad: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/video-calculus/id397996587?mt=8 These are both free and include terrific lectures so you can learn wherever you are. You can purchase monthly access cheaply to get even more lectures. Basically a class in an app. Havent seen on like that yet elphie23 says: January 11, 2011 at 3:03 pm Mystery Me is a great vocabulary builder and Middle School Prep is another. My students dont mind working on vocabulary when it is game oriented. I also like MySratchWork. This app allows access to internet sites with a notetaking device on the side. Students can take notes on a site then change the site to another without switching screens. All of their notes are in one place. My colleagues and I created a wiki with 9 pages of apps for classroom use. Some are for Health & PE teachers. It can be seen at http://theresanappforthat.wikispaces.com/. Hope this helps.

mathevangelist says: January 10, 2011 at 12:58 pm This is a great list. Isnt it amazing what mobile devices are doing for education! Imagine where well be in 5 years? If youre looking for a fun alternative to flash cards for learning math facts, try Tic Tac Math Universal. Tic Tac Math combines the fun and familiar strategy game of Tic Tac Toe with solving math equations. Its available in Universal (math facts), fractions and algebra versions. And it uses artificial intelligence to generate random game grids so there is no multiple choice to help the player. Check it out here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ipmg-publishing/id356838921

BBrown8061 says: January 10, 2011 at 12:49 pm Look at the content specific apps by e Skills Learning. Reading for Details is a very popular app to help students practice the 5Ws of Reading Comprehension. http://bit.ly/fEhkM1 Bruce Brown http://www.eskillslearnig.net

eburton says: January 10, 2011 at 12:08 pm Jenna, As the founder of Stepping Stones Together, an online and printable beginning literacy program for parents to teach their children to read as well as a professor of education research I would love to see a seamless process for creating usable APS for my companys e-books. In terms of the products you shared, I believe the E-clicker and the TI-83 calculator are excellent resources for teachers as well as students. I would not suggest the instant comments ap as many teachers already use a data base of generic comments uploaded to the grade book platform. Erika Burton, Ph.D. Stepping Stones Together, Founder Empowering parental involvement in beginning literacy skills http://www.steppingstonestogether.com

bmwage says: January 10, 2011 at 11:42 am Hi Jenna, Wow, thanks a lot for the apps info. If I may add edutecher, @ http://www.edutecher.com/app/ which I find also helpful. Keep up the good job! Ben

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