Materials in support of a session by Gail Lovely on choosing apps for young learners.

1. Better than Crayons?
Gail Lovely
GailLovely@SuddenlyItClicks.com
SuddenlyItClicks.com

3. Tech should
offer
something
crayons
don’t…
Crayon collaboration by Rick Payette cc from Flickr

8. The App Store…
like a box of chocolate

9. Total Apps Seen in US App Store:
Some stats…
1,548,942
Education 137,114 (active)
Average App price: $1.55
http://www.pocketgamer.biz/metrics/app-store/

10. So how do YOU choose?
Some stats…
http://www.pocketgamer.biz/metrics/app-store/

11. How do YOU choose?
 Ask a colleague
 Use a recommendation
 Search the App Store
 Read Reviews (App Store)
 Examine Screenshots (App
Store)
 Get a “lite” version
 Get full version
 Play it yourself (make
mistakes)

12. Apps and Application of Apps
Educational researchers and practitioners
alike assert that the potential of new
technologies for learning is likely to be
found not in the technologies themselves
but in the way in which these
technologies are used as tools for
learning (Means & Olson, 1995; Owston, 1997; Valdez et al.,
1999).
From NCREL: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/reading/li300.htm

13. Criteria
• Create evidence of knowledge or skills
• Produce materials to learn with or from
• Teach or practice curriculum or skills of
value

14. Criteria
• Doesn’t lock files or work into the device or
app
• Appropriate learning curve
• Useability

15. Format matters
• Does the app consider multiple users?
• Jellybean Count and Futaba
• are examples of this…

16. You HAVE to be Careful…
• There is a reason 30% of apps are opened
only once.

17. Confusing…?
Screenshots from Live ABC

18. Lets Look…

19. Some Favorite Titles
• Explain Everything ($)
• Book Creator ($)
• Futaba Classroom Games ($)
• Math Doodles ($)
• Collins Big Cat Books (free)
• Chirp (Free)
• Doodlecast ($)
• LetterSchool ($)
• LipaTrain (free)