Top 8 Education Apps for iPad2 December 20 2011, 1 Comment

With the educational apps of the iPad, you and your students can experience the joy of studying new discoveries with the power of multi-touch and media. The following dowloadable apps for the ipad offer kids fun and educational ways of interacting with curriculum and technology, with some fun added as well!

1. MathBoard

One of the best integer practice apps or programs. An amazing app that allows kids to work on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems is MathBoard. With the innumerous customizable options, make math fun for kindergarten kids. Download it at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mathboard/id373909837

2. Dinosaur Zoo

This isn't your average zoo. Your kids can learn about and interact with dinosaurs, including important facts such as the latest paleontology discoveries and the study of prehistoric maps regarding where dinosaurs roamed the earth.
Download it at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dinosaur-zoo/id435085300

3. Powers of Minus Ten - Cells and Genetics

With the power of Minus Ten app, you can actively zoom into human palm and explore environments with 3D display. Learn the basics of biology and the structures of certain key cells, molecules, and proteins that exist in our bodies. Download it at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/powers-minus-ten-cells-genetics/id429123553

4. Fish School HD by Duck Duck Moose

Fish School welcomes you to have fun with numbers, alphabets, colors, and more! The creators of Wheels on the Bus bring an award-winning, educational iPhone app. This app is the winner of the Parent’s Choice Gold Award 2011 and the Children’s Technology Review Editor’s Choice Award from Parents’ Choice Foundation. Download it at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fish-school-hd-by-duck-duck/id367567922

5. Intro to Letters by Montessorium

Accredited in the Apple iPad commercial ("iPad is Electric”), and one of the best iPad app 2010 is Intro to Letters. This app allows students to have fun and learn at the same time while reading, writing, tracing, recording letter sounds, practicing letter names and working with phonograms under Montessori methodology. Download it at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/intro-to-letters-by-montessorium/id387232375

6. TED

A great app for older students, TED’s official app for the iPad consists of presentations from some of the most charming and appreciated people round the globe in subjects that include medical dynamics, education, technology, business principles, and music, among others. Over 900 TEDTalk videos are available on the official TED app on iPhone and iPad. Download it at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ted/id376183339

7. Star Walk for iPad - an interactive astronomy guide

This astronomy app allows your students to watch the sky during the day or night. This iPad app is well-known and awarded, including the Achiever of Apple Design Award 2010 and certified by Apple as the Best App of 2009 and 2010. Allow your students to observe the constellations, stars and satellites by simply pointing the iPad at the night sky. Download it at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/star-walk-for-ipad-interactive/id363486802

8. GeoMaster Plus HD

A fun way to learn about geography using interactive games in this iPad app. High-resolution maps including 8 games and an atlas can be enjoyed with this new version. Download it at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/geomaster-plus-hd/id464061812

If you're using iPad technology in your classroom, we'd love to know about it! What apps help your kids interact with curriculum? How do you use iPad technology in the classroom?

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iPad Therapy and Autism December 01 2011, 0 Comments

The use of computers, video games, and mobile devices in traditional schools is something that has received a lot of attention in both the mainstream and specialist press recently, and with good reason. Mobile devices are a part of everyday life now, and it would be foolish to ignore the value of having an encyclopaedia, effectively, in your pocket.

In the rush to improve the learning experience for the majority however, it’s all too easy to forget about those who are in need of supported living arrangements. The value of technology in autism care should not be underestimated.

There’s an app for everything

The iPad is an incredibly flexible device – it’s easy to use, fairly rugged, and big enough that even young children with limited co-ordination can make good use of it. Developers have noticed this, and there are numerous apps that are perfect for use by supported living groups.

Children on the autistic spectrum have a range of different needs. Each child is different, and those differences should be taken into account in any autism care scheme. With that said, there are a range of apps available that will help autistic children to develop new abilities and skills. Apps can help with:

• Social Skills
• Co-ordination and fine motor skills
• Speech and communication
• Sensory skills
• Coping with stress

Some of the apps that are used in autism care are general applications that could be used in any educational setting, however there are other apps, such as Stories2Learn and AutismExpress, which are designed specifically to help autistic children to learn how to understand emotions, and how to communicate with other people.

The iPad is an expensive device, and not all families can afford one. Fortunately, the iPhone is far less expensive, and most educational apps will run on both devices.

Before the release of the iPad, options were limited. Some supported living organizations were able to make use of speech generating devices, or specialist computer software for education, but these tools were incredibly expensive, and lacked the portability and flexibility of a mobile device.

Handheld Learning is The Future

Each year, the Handheld Learning conference in London attracts over 1,000 attendees from around the world. These attendees are thought leaders in the worlds of technology and education, and they have used mobile devices and handheld gaming devices to great success in everything from improving the performance of primary school children in math tests, to making advances in the quality of life of children with special needs.

There are some pitfalls to the use of mobile technology. It’s important to remember that mobile devices can be used to access the Internet, and that if you’re going to leave that capability turned on then you’ll need to educate the children in your care about the dangers of the internet, and also their personal responsibilities – such as protecting their privacy, and not engaging in cyber bullying. Most children, even those who are on the autistic spectrum, will surprise you with their capacity to learn and work efficiently with technology, but they will need adult guidance to keep them safe.

This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of Voyage, who offer a variety of supported living and autism care schemes.