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Review: MathBlaster for iPad

kcroy — July 6, 2012 — 2 Comments

MathBlaster.com has a new game out for the iPad called “Math Blaster: Hyperblast 2″. It is currently available in the Apps store for free and is one of a handful of other apps from the Math Blaster family created by Knowledge Adventure.

The Math Blaster apps are an extension of the online world kids can join at MathBlaster.com. It is a multi-user domain similar to Secret Builders or Poptropica in that users create an avatar and then safely interact in a virtual alien world with activities centering around math. There is a currency system and credits can be earned through game play on the apps if the users is logged in at the time with his or her Math Blaster account.

One feature that I appreciate as a parent is the ability to create accounts for your children that are connected to a central family account. Parents can add up to six children on the accounts. This is great for a parent but may be limiting for a teacher trying to create student accounts. Students can always play as guests and practice the same math skills without needing to access their accounts.

The user interface of Hyperblast 2 is that of an alien adventure where the hero rides a type of rocket cycle through a series of three dimensional tubes and tunnels, avoiding barriers and blasting away at obstructions. After a certain number of distance is cleared, users take on the Alien Boss who holds in its tentacles the answers to math fact problems. By solving the Alien Boss’s problems quickly, users unlock more ammunition, weapons, and levels.

The game play can be controlled and each adventure is customizable by Continue Reading…

In apps, Review ade, ady losik, app, Educational app, Giveaway, iOS, jumpstart, mathblaster, mathblaster.com, school, teacher, Wired Educator, wireded, wirededucator

Shakespeare & The iPad

larryreiff — June 13, 2012 — 3 Comments

By Larry Reiff

Since the introduction of Apple’s first iPad, tablet devices have been finding their way into classrooms all over the world. Their portability, adaptability, and ease of use make them the perfect tool for teaching Shakespeare to our students. As an English teacher, I believe the that the best way for my students to learn Shakespeare is to interact with his words. The iPad and other iOS devices are the perfect tools allowing students to fully connect with Shakespeare’s text. Most English teachers are aware of the basic Shakespeare apps, most of which are just a collection of his works. Some other apps, such as Shakespeare in Bits, are useful, but they are somewhat limited and don’t really offer the student an opportunity to immerse themselves in the text. However, there are plenty of other apps that can transform the way you teach Shakespeare in the classroom.

Is it sacrilege to cut lines out of Shakespeare? Continue Reading…

In apps, Electronic Texts, iPad, Software, Uncategorized Folger, iAnnotate, imovie, iOS, iPad, Shakespeare, Twitter

The Avengers and Challenge Based Learning: Uniforms Are Optional

kcroy — May 21, 2012 — 6 Comments

Provide the Passion Wired Educator CBL

I’ve always been a fan of super heroes. I guess that’s why I became a teacher; I aspired to make a difference in the lives of others. This past weekend, I took my wife, Lorrain Croy, to see The Avengers. Wow! The movie was great, and I couldn’t help thinking about the similarities between the path of assembling The Avengers, and implementing challenge based learning.

As much as I want to be an Iron Man, a Thor, or The Hulk, I’ve come to realize my job is more akin to that of the character Agent Coulson, the unassuming SHIELD Agent who appeared in each of The Avengers’ individual prequels, and whose job it was to assemble this team of extraordinary heroes. (Agent Coulson, pictured to right with eye-patched Nick Fury/Samuel L. Jackson in the background.) His gift? He had the vision of what could be if only they could be assembled together.

My students are the heroes. I’m like Agent Coulson, the mild-mannered assembler.

The Avengers and students involved in Challenge Based Learning both need:

1) An Authentic Challenge: The Avengers could train all day if necessary. Captain America could go through punching bags like Will Ferrel goes through Doritios. (Sorry Will.) Nothing great happens without an authentic challenge. Students can tell when something is made-up. They know if what they do really matters or not. Challenge Based Learning (CBL) is about students working to make a difference. What they do needs to be meaningful. Challenge your students and teach them how to challenge themselves.

2) A Genuine Audience: The Avengers were a mess before they had people that really needed their help. They needed a genuine mission. The same is true of our students. In short, they need an audience. A real one. No one gets excited about a worksheet or a paper that is shared between student, teacher, and maybe the fridge. Students need to impact real people with their work. Build that in, and encourage them to respond to real people. This is also where we need the implementation of social networking. Get the students’ work in the eyes of the world. It’s possible. It’s easy. It matters.

Attention Teachers: One Third of American High School Students Own an iPhone

kcroy — May 5, 2012 — 2 Comments

Iphone pocket

“lorrain croy” lorrain croy

One of the most amazing statistics in education that I have recently read is from a Piper Jaffray survey indicating that one third of American high school students own an iPhone, and that 40% plan on purchasing one in the next six months (via MacRumors article 4-3-12). This survey does not even account for other types of smartphones and tablet devices.

I found the number to be so amazing that I had to do some informal surveying of my own with friends who teach in various locations across the nation. Not only did they support the findings of the survey, but they also shared interesting stories that shed light on usage within the classroom, and even debunked preconceived notions of the economic background of an iPhone owning student. (A friend told me that even some of his students on free or reduced lunches own iPhones. I think most people assume that iPhones are owned only by affluent homes.)

How can teachers and schools capitalize on the proliferation of iPhones and iOS devices to better the learning experience?

iBuild ABCs: The iPad App for Learning the Alphabet and Building Fun

kcroy — October 17, 2011 — 6 Comments

CONTEST: Wired Educator has teamed up with iOS developer Chris Kieffer to give away two copies of his iPad App, iBuild ABCs. Simply leave a comment on our blog about the craziest thing you or your child has ever built and we will send you the code. Good luck.

Chris Kieffer has created a beautifully designed iPad app that helps children learn the alphabet an have fun. iBuild ABCs is a great combination of puzzle building and letter recognition.

I am very impressed with how this app looks and sounds and it is by far the most creative and original approaches I have come across to alphabet recognition. Well done! I think Chris is brilliant, and through our correspondence I learned he built this app for his three-year old son who loves the alphabet and building things. (My daughter, also three, enjoyed the app as well.) Chris is a self-taught programmer that hope to build more apps for education.

iBuild ABCs offers the user a blueprint diagram of the letter they chose to build and the construction pieces necessary for assembly. The user assembles the pieces on top of the blueprint in a logical order. The pieces turn when they are dragged to the blueprint so the user can find proper placement. Some critical thinking is needed to finish each job; a wonderful but rare element in children’s apps.

This app has

In apps, iPad, Software abc recognition, ade, alphabet, educator, iOS, iPad, ipad 2, ipad for every student, learning, learning letters, Mobile Learning, preschool, teacher

Group Email! A Great App for Educators and Everyone Using iOS Devices

kcroy — March 20, 2011 — Leave a comment

The app Group Email! solves a very specific iOS shortfall and lives up to its name. You will want to grab this app. Here’s why:

The iPhone and the iPad are the two greatest devices I have ever owned. It is difficult to put into words how they have helped me stay organized with school, family, business, and club activities. The benefits of using an iOS device as a teacher, parent, spouse, and entrepreneur will propagate countless blogs, however, one feature very dear to me has escaped every iOS update; you cannot easily email a large group of recipients. You simply can’t.

On my Mac I can begin typing the name of an email group and it will not only finish it for me, but include every recipient within the email automatically. To accomplish the same feat on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod you must go into the group and attach each individual within that group… one… at… a… time, and that fellow readers makes for a very time consuming and cumbersome email.

I work with a team of teachers. It isn’t too bad adding the five other teachers… one… at… a… time, however, if I am responsible for emailing the entire staff, the coaches, or any large group… we now have a serious problem.

Enter Group Email! Just like Continue Reading…

In apps ade, administrator, app, Apple, Classroom, education, educator, elementary, email, great app, group email, handheld, iOS, iPad, iPhone, ipod, iPod Touch, iTunes, Mac, school, teacher, Teachers, teaching, Technology, University, Wired Educator, wirededucator

Apple Files Patent to Assist Differentiated Learning for Special Needs Students

kcroy — March 5, 2011 — Leave a comment

Is Apple filing a patent to address differentiated learning on mobile devices? It appears so.

Differentiated learning also known differentiated instruction is simply the focus of providing students with different ways to acquire content. The idea is that different students have different primary learning methods (e.g. visual, kinetic, tactile, audio, etc.) Continue Reading…

In Uncategorized ade, app, Apple, audio, blog, Classroom, Computer, device, differentiated, download, education, elementary, free, handheld, interactive, iOS, iPad, iPhone, ipod, iPod Touch, iTunes, learning, Mobile Learning, patent, school, schools, smartboard, special needs, Standards, teacher, Teachers, teaching, Technology, University, website, Wired, Wired Educator, wirededucator

Archives For iOS

Review: MathBlaster for iPad

Shakespeare & The iPad

The Avengers and Challenge Based Learning: Uniforms Are Optional

Attention Teachers: One Third of American High School Students Own an iPhone

iBuild ABCs: The iPad App for Learning the Alphabet and Building Fun

Group Email! A Great App for Educators and Everyone Using iOS Devices

Apple Files Patent to Assist Differentiated Learning for Special Needs Students

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