App Spotlight: StoryKit

StoryKit is an app that's available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. It allows users to create stories that they can anonymously upload to the StoryKit server. Here's a brief look at StoryKit:

Ideas for the classroom

Individual students: Students could use StoryKit to create and share stories.

Small groups: Students could work in groups to create stories using StoryKit.

Whole class instructions: Students can create stories as a class in exploring parts of a story or other instruction.

Tip: StoryKit has some built in public domain books that children can remix.

Caution: Remind students about privacy and security with respect to posting information online.

Quick Facts

Description: Students can create stories or remix stories.
Cost: Free
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/storykit/id329374595?mt=8
Grade Levels: K-12
Groupings: individual, small group, whole class

App Spotlight: Easybib

Easybib is an app that's available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. It allows users to scan a barcode on a book to quickly create citations using MLA, APA or Chicago format.

Ideas for the classroom

Individual students: The online Easybib website is very useful for creating bibliographies. Students can now use this app to quickly create citations without having to type in the information..

Tip: A classroom Easybib account may be useful if this app is being used with younger children.

Caution: It is always a good idea for children to do a visual scan of the citation/bibliography to confirm format and completeness.

Quick Facts

Description: Scan a book's barcode to quickly create a citation for it.
Cost: Free
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/easybib/id436768184?mt=8
Grade Levels: Upper Elementary +
Groupings: Individual

App Spotlight: Screen Chomp

ScreenChomp is an iPad app for creating videos with sound by working on a digital whiteboard. For the style of videos, think of RSA or Khan Academy. Here's a brief demo inserted from youtube:

Ideas for the classroom:

Individual students: Students could use ScreenChomp to create tutorials or explanations.

Small groups: Students can present explanations or tutorials to peers making use of videos created with ScreenChomp. Students can collaborate on ScreenChomp creations, taking turns with drawing, and speaking.

Whole class instructions: Teachers could record presentations in ScreenChomp and make them available to students to review instructions/processes/explanations.

Tip: Only one background can be placed in each screencast.

Caution: Ensure that students are following the school's acceptable/responsible use policy in the information that they provide in the screencast if videos will be uploaded to web hosting sites.

Quick Facts

Description: Create screencasts with sound and images created on a digital whiteboard.
Cost: Free
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/screenchomp/id442415881?mt=8
Grade Levels: K-12
Groupings: individual, small group, whole class


More information

• http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/mac/easy-whiteboarding-with-screenchomp-for-ipad/1324
• http://www.labnol.org/internet/khan-academy-style-videos/19875/

App Spotlight: Idea Sketch

Idea Sketch is an app that lets you create diagrams from outlines and outlines from diagrams. Diagram may be concept maps, mind maps or flowcharts. The app runs on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Ideas for the classroom:

Individual students: Students could use Idea Sketch to create mind maps, concept maps or flow charts  for brainstorming, for planning systems, papers, or events, and to show connections between ideas. 

Small groups: Students can do the same activities as in individual use while sharing an iDevice, especially for collaborative work.

Whole class instructions: This app is useful for whole class brainstorms, and planning, for teacher modelling of mapping or planning, 

Tip: Copy diagrams created in Idea Sketch to any other program on your device.

Caution: Idea Sketch allows connection with Facebook.

Quick Facts

Description: Create diagram and outlines.
Cost: Free
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/idea-sketch/id367246522?mt=8
Grade Levels: K-12
Groupings: all


Links

• http://www.ipadsforeducation.vic.edu.au/education-apps/apps/22-idea-sketch with ideas for iPad use in the classroom from Victorian government in Australia
• http://educationaltech-med.blogspot.com/2011/05/sketch-free-brainstorming-and-mind.html Educational technology blog
• http://ieducationappsreview.ning.com/profiles/blogs/idea-sketch?xg_source=activity from the iEducation Apps Review

App Spotlight: Brushes

Brushes is an app that's available for iDevices. It allows users to create paintings. Watch the video to see it in action:

Ideas for the classroom

Individual students: Students could use brushes to create paintings. This could be used for illustrating a story, in art class, or for representing situations/scenarios 

Small groups: Students could represent group problems in Math or science class, or collaborate on drawing tasks.

Whole class instructions: A teacher could demonstrate elements of design and/or art to students in a class. The painting process can be saved and students can refer to it at their leisure.

Tip: Brushes can get quite complex with layers, opacity, etc. Remind students to work at their level of complexity and ignore features that they do not need.

Caution: Brushes allows connections with flickr. Remember to discuss intellectual property, privacy and safety with students in relation to the use of multimedia in social networks.


Quick Facts

Description: Create a painting
Cost: $7.99 (iPad), $4.99 (iPhone/iPod Touch)
Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/steve-sprang/id288230267
Grade Levels: Any because the program is scalable
Groupings: Individual, small group, whole class