Apps to create content on the iPad

One of the major criticisms of the iPad is that it is purely a "consumption device," meaning that it's great for reading and surfing the web, but not for actively creating digital products.

Many teachers take issue with this view of iPads, and are excited by the ways that the iPad combines consumption with creation!

Below are some of the best apps that can be used to create content on the iPads. Some of these apps are iPod apps that can easily be used on an iPad as well as an iPhone or iPod Touch.

Apps for Writing

Desktop Apps

These apps allow you to work on normal desktop publishing documents on the iPad. While there is no Word app for the iPad, you can use Pages, or Office2 HD to edit your docs. You can also use Google Docs on the iPad, or consider using one of the Mac-specific editing apps: Pages, Keynote or Numbers.

• Pages
• Keynote
• Numbers
• Office2 HD
• Google Docs (via Safari with limited functionality)

Notetaking/Writing

These apps allow you to take notes or write non-Word documents on your iPad. Some of these apps allow you to easily work on blogs (Blogsy), take notes that can be easily shared online through other services (Evernote), or feature stripped down features to enhance focus (iA Writer).

• Dragon Dictation
• Penultimate
• Evernote
• Blogsy
• iAWriter

Apps for Creating Multimedia

Editing Images/Making Art

There are a variety of apps that work with the iPad's built-in camera and images. There are also multiple apps that allow you to make art on the iPad

• Sketchbook Pro
• Brushes
• Photoshop Express
• Instagram

Creating Multimedia Stories


These are examples of apps that allow students to create stories using multimedia. Some apps allow students to pull information from their social networks to create real-time "stories" (Storify) and others allow students to create stories from pre-populated libraries of images and multimedia.

• Storify
• Storykit
• Storyrobe
• Strip Designer

Whiteboard/Video capture

These apps allow teachers to use their iPads as virtual whiteboards or video capture devices. These services allow users to control their computer with an iPad as they walk around the room, or make video-captures using their iPads.

• educreations
• Screenchomp
• Show Me Interactive Whiteboard
• Doceri Interactive Whiteboard
• Mobile Mouse
• Splashtop

Making Video

With these apps, students can use the iPad 2's built in camera to record and then edit video footage together into a movie (iMovie, Reel Director). Other apps allow students to create video using pre-populated libraries of images and multimedia (Toontastic).

• Toontastic
• iMovie
• Reel Director

Audio/Music

With these apps, students can record and edit audio directly on their iPad.

• Audioboo
• Sonoma’s StudioTrack
• GrooveMaker
• Garageband

Sources for this Post

iCreate vs. iConsumption
December 28, 2011
Scott Meech
iEAR.org

School Spreadsheet of Apps from iEAR
See what other schools are using for their iPad programs by checking out these detailed spreadsheets of apps organized by subject.  Many of the apps highlighted here were found through these spreadsheets of apps.

Downloading apps on the Capital City PCS iPads

Teachers are welcome to download free apps Capital City PCS iPads. If teachers want to purchase an app in order to test it for use in their classroom, they must put in a Software order and receive confirmation before purchasing the app.

The Technology Team will monitor all purchases made on the iPads to ensure proper use.

Searching for Apps

In order to download a free app, open the App Store. You can search for specific apps in the search bar, or browse for apps using the categories at the bottom of the page

Downloading Free Apps

Once you find an app that you want, click on Free to download the app. The icon will change to green and say Install App. Click on "Install App". Next you will need to enter the Apple ID Password. You will be given this password once you check out the iPads. After correctly entering the password, the app will download to the iPad desktop.

Putting in a Purchase Request for iPad Apps

In order to purchase iPad apps that are not free, Capital City PCS teachers must download the Software Request Form.

After completing it in print or online, teachers must email the form to the Technology Coordinator. The technology coordinator will confirm approval for the app. Only after receiving approval may teachers download the app to the iPad.

Opening & closing apps, and multitasking

With IOS 5, iPads now have the ability to mimic certain "multitask" features, like jumping quickly from one app to another. For example, you can read or copy a passage from Wikipedia, and then jump to a notetaking app to copy your information.

Opening and Closing Apps

To open an app, click on it on the home screen. To close an app, use five fingers to "claw" it closed, or press the home button.

Search for an app on the iPad

To search the iPad for an app, or for an email, swipe to the right with one finger in order to access the below search screen.

Start typing and the iPad will bring up instantaneous search results. Simply click on the app or file to open it.

Multi-tasking between apps

When in an app, simply swipe left to access your last opened app. Continue swiping left to access apps in relation to when thy were last used. You can also swipe right to view other apps.

There is another way to multitask. With four fingers, swipe up on the screen. The multitask bar should appear, showing all of your "open" apps listed by what was used most frequently. Simply click on one of these apps to jump to another app.

Cool Website of the Week - Flubaroo

Flubaroo is a free script that turns your Google Forms into incredibly easy to use automated assessments. With Flubaroo, you can create multiple-choice quizzes using Google Forms, assign them to students, create an answer key and then grade your students' work at the click of a mouse.

Image Source: Flubaroo

Click here to see a detailed overview of how to use Flubaroo. Or watch the video below:

   

Announcing New Tech PD in 30 - iPads in the Upper School

For the next two weeks, the Tech PD in 30 Minutes session will focus on how teachers can use an iPad for their personal enrichment, or as a learning tool in the classroom. These sessions are designed to be completed within one planning period. Sessions will also be held after school.

Check out the Tech PD in 30 at CCPCS website for more information.

2/20 - 3/2
iPads in the Classroom

In this session, teachers wil learn:

• How to use an iPad
• Opening & closing apps, and multitasking
• Downloading apps on the Capital City PCS iPads
• Best apps for content 
• Best apps for content creation
• Best apps for specific disciplines

How to Use an iPad

If you are unfamiliar to iPads, iPhones, or iPod Touches, this post is for you. Here you will learn about the different buttons and features of the iPad 2.

iPad switches and buttons

iPad 2 Power Button, Volume Control, and Lock Switch

iPad 2 Home Button

Power Button - Press and hold this button to turn off and on the iPad.

Volume control - When holding the iPad in "portrait" mode, with the home button on the bottom, press up on the volume control to make the volume louder, press down to make it softer. Press and hold down to mute quickly.

Lock Switch  - The lock switch can be configured in the Settings to quickly mute volume, or lock the screen so it does not rotate when you move it from "portrait" to "landscape".

Home button - This button allows you to easily access the default home screen. If you are in an app, pressing this button closes the app and takes you to the main screen. Quickly double-clicking this button accessing the multitask feature, allowing you to switch between recently opened apps.

Features of the Virtual Desktop

Like most mobile devices, the iPad consists of a collection of Apps that you can access from a main desktop. The iPad is organized in key ways to make them easy to use.

Dock - Like Mac OS X, iPads and iPhones have a dock for frequently used apps located at the bottom of the screen. You can customize the docks with up to 5 apps of your choosing.

Apps Organization - Apps come unorganized on the iPad. When purchasing new apps from the store, icons are automatically downloaded at the end of the list of apps.

Settings - You can control how your apps work within the main Settings section of the iPad. Click on this icon to change notifications, add email addresses and more.

Gesture-Based Interface

One of the most unique features of the iPad, and tablets in general, are the use of gesture-based controls for opening, closing, and manipulating information in apps.

Swiping - Use your finger to move right, left, up and down within a given app.

Press and hold - Like a right click, pressing and holding allows you to access additional features. On the desktop, press and hold to reorganize apps.

Multitask Gestures - The iPad also gives you more productive features when using more than one finger.

• pinch with two fingers to zoom in and out
• four finger up or down access "open" apps that are also running. This allows you to easily switch from app to app
• four finger left or right - Switch between open apps. Swipe left to see open apps, swipe right to see the app you just left.
• five finger close - by pressing all five fingers and making a claw, you can close out of open apps to see the desktop.

For more information about how to use Multi-task features, watch this video below:

iPad iOS 4.3 multitasking gestures

iPad App of the Week - iBooks 2 with Textbooks

This week's iPad app of the week is iBooks 2 with Textbooks

This January, Apple held a special Educational Event to announce new products and services specific to the K-20 educational market.  One of the most blogged about new services announced at this event was the new version iBooks because of the inclusion of textbooks.

According to Apple:

A Multi-Touch textbook on iPad is a gorgeous, full-screen experience full of interactive diagrams, photos, and videos. No longer limited to static pictures to illustrate the text, now students can dive into an image with interactive captions, rotate a 3D object, or have the answer spring to life in a chapter review. They can flip through a book by simply sliding a finger along the bottom of the screen. Highlighting text, taking notes, searching for content, and finding definitions in the glossary are just as easy. 

Apple iBook Textbooks also include automated study card features, and simple easy tap for highlighting and note-taking.

Criticism

Not all educational technology specialists are rejoicing Apple's foray into etextbooks, however. Many are skeptical of the locked-down business model only available on the iPad, as well as the $14.99 per year price tag on the textbooks themselves. For more, read Audrey Watters blog post, "Apple and the Digital Textbook Counter-Revolution" on Hack Education.

If you want to judge for yourself, come to the library and take a look at the free version of E.O. Wilson's Life on Earth in iBooks.

About App of the Week

These reviews will cover apps that are available on one of the two iPads available for reservation in the Upper School.


Image Source: Apple.com

Cool Website of the Week - Storify

Storify is a unique content curation site that "lets you curate social networks to build social stories, bringing together media scattered across the Web into a coherent narrative." Pull tweets from Twitter, pictures from Facebook, video from Youtube and more to assemble a story about you or your community's life.

You can also easily share your stories by embedding them on a blog or website, and sharing them using your social networks.

Storify could be a great way for your students to create a final group project about an important issue.


Screencaptures from Storify

Creating a Google Site from a Template

There are many ways you can create a website from using Google Sites. You can create a site from scratch by using a blank template, or you can create a site from a template.

Click on the "Browse the gallery for more" link.

Search for templates by category.

Teachers can also create sites, save them as templates, and share them with students. In order for a student to create a site based on this template, the student will have to search for the title of the portfolio template in Google.

After selecting the template, you must name your site, change the site location, and if you would like, choose a new theme. You can also change the privacy settings.

Blogging with Students for Reflection, Collaboration, and Literacy

Learn about blogging with students from this post on Mr. Chase's other blog: Make EdTech Happen.

Blogging with Students for Reflection, Collaboration, and Literacy

from the post:

As schools look to integrate 21st century and technology skills into the curriculum, more and more teachers are requiring student blogs in their classrooms. Blogs can be an ideal platform to teach 21st century literacies and NETS skills, including creativity/innovation, communication/collaboration, and digital citizenship.

More than “technology integration” however, blogs can be ideal for enhancing student reflection (particularly as part of an e-portfolio), and enforcing basic reading writing skills not specific to the 21st century. 

Checking Revision History and Creating Drafts in Google Docs

With Google Docs you can easily track changes and revert to older files. This means that if you make a mistake, you can easily recover your work.

See Revision History

1. In order to view older files, go to File>See Revision History. Information should pop up on the right of the screen.
2. Click on older dates to see the state of the doc at that time.
3. If you would like to, you can click "revert to this doc" in order to abandon all the changes you had made to that point.

One of the downsides to using Docs in a school setting, is that the editing process becomes seamless, almost invisible. For students who need to track the progression of their work in a portfolio, this can introduce issues.

Making "Draft" Copies

In order to ensure the existence of drafts, teachers can have students make a copy of their files at certain phases.

1. Go to File > Make a copy
2. Click the checkbox next to "Also copy document collaborators". This way teachers will automatically be added as editors to subsequent drafts.
3. Click on the title to change the name of the document.
4. In the popup box, enter the new name of the document and click OK.

Make sure that you introduce a  consistent naming/file structure (numbers of drafts, etc.) 

iPads in the Capital City Upper School

We now have 2 iPads for teachers to reserve on a weekly basis in the Upper School!

These iPads were purchased so that teachers could experiment with ways that iPads could be successfully brought into the classroom, focusing on specific apps and lesson plans.

iPads will be reserved on a weekly basis through Mr. Chase. Teachers will be able to download free apps, but if you want to purchase an app you will have to put in a purchase request and receive approval before downloading it.

How might you use 2 iPads in your classroom?

Do you like the idea of having access to iPads, but don't have an idea of how you might use them? Feel free to schedule a time to work with Mr. Chase, or just check out an iPad to play around with on your own.

Resources for Finding Apps & Teaching Strategies:

• iPads in Education Ning - On this social network, teachers share ideas and resources for using iPads in the classroom. Search the Blogs, Discussions and iPad tips sections for information.
• I Education Apps Review - On this network, teachers review and recommend apps specific to grade levels, subjects, and more. 
• Twitter #edapp - Search this Twitter hashtag for educational apps recommended on Twitter
• iPads in Schools - On this blog, you can learn about new apps, strategies and articles about ipads in education. You can also search for apps by Middle School and High School at the top of the page.
• Mr. Chase's Diigo Articles Tagged Ipad - Mr. Chase keeps track of certain articles that capture his attention on this blog post.

How to Comment on Student Google Docs & Spreadsheets

Google Apps allows for robust sharing, so multiple students and teachers can edit a document at the same time. Google Apps also makes it easy to comment, rather than edit on a document. These comments work similar to the commenting feature in Word.

Commenting on Google Docs

In order to comment on a student's Google doc, the student must first share their document with you. (Learn more about sharing in my post on Making a Google Docs Template.)

Once you access a student's document you can insert a comment wherever your cursor appears. If you select a block of text, a highlight will appear around the selected words, indicating a comment.

1. Select text or place cursor where you want the comment
2. Go to Insert > Comment
3. Write your comment and press the blue Comment button
4. Reply to other comments (or your own comment) by typing in the box below the comment and pressing reply.

Discussions in Google Docs

This video explains how you can use the comments to have a discussion on your Google Doc.

Commenting on Google Spreadsheets

To add a comment to your spreadsheet, follow these steps:

1. Click the cell where you'd like to insert a comment.
2. Choose one of the following methods to insert a comment:
1. Right-click the cell and select Insert comment.
2. Go to the Insert menu and select Comment.
3. Use the keyboard shortcut Shift-F2.
3. A yellow comment box appears with your username.
4. Enter the text of your comment.
5. To save your comment and close the comment box, click another cell in the spreadsheet or press Enter.
6. An orange mark will show in the top right corner of the cell where you inserted the comment.
7. To view a comment after it's been inserted, hover your mouse over the orange comment indicator. Click the comment box to keep it visible on the screen or to edit the comment.

Some of these directions were pulled from the Google Support Site.

Announcing New Tech PD in 30 - Using Google Apps with your Students

For the next two weeks, the Tech PD in 30 Minutes session will focus on how teachers can use Google Apps with their students. These sessions are designed to be completed within one planning period. Sessions will also be held after school.

Check out the Tech PD in 30 at CCPCS website for more information.

2/7 - 2/17

Using Google Apps with your Students

In this session, teachers will learn

• How to create and share Templates with students
• How to comment on student docs & spreadsheets
• How to see revision history to view edits
• How to print Google Docs

Printing Google Docs

When printing a google doc, you may have to first download a PDF file to your computer.

(These directions come from the Google support website: http://support.google.com/docs/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=50089.)

Print in Chrome

When you print in Chrome, your Google document will print exactly as it appears in Google Docs. Because of this, there's no Print preview option. When your document is ready to print, follow these steps:

1. From the document you'd like to print, select File > Print.
2. A dialog box for your printer and print settings will open.
3. When you’re ready, select the Print button.

Print preview and print in Firefox or Safari

To preview how your document looks before you print it, go to the File menu and select Print preview. This will generate a preview of what your document will look like when it's printed on paper. If you like what you see, move on to the following steps to print the document. Or, you can go back to editing.

To print a Google document in Firefox or Safari, follow these steps:

1. From the document you'd like to print, select File > Print.
2. A PDF file containing your document will automatically download. When the download completes, open the PDF file.
3. In your PDF viewer, go to the File menu and select Print.
4. A dialog box for your printer and print settings will open.
5. Select the Print button.

You can also download a document to another file format, and then print that file. To download a document, follow these steps:

1. From your document, to to the File menu and navigate to Download as...
2. From the Download as... sub-menu, select the file format you’d like to download your document to.
3. Find the downloaded file on your computer, and open it.
4. Print the downloaded file.