Math Heroes 1: Basic Operations

Math Heroes 1: Basic Operations is a fantastic iOS app for learning basic Math skills.  This is a very fun app that has students reinforcing their basic Math skills such as: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  All the games are aligned to Common Core Standards and have a high replay value due to the fighting game style that saves a user's progress.  As a student progresses not only will the problems get harder but they will be able to unlock boards and special moves to add to their excitement.

I highly recommend checking out Math Heroes 1: Basic Operations by clicking here!!!

*Yogome is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Math File Folder Games

Math File Folder Games is a excellent site/company to find a wide variety of educational iOS Math games.  These games are ideal for Mobile Learning and even "flipping the classroom".  Some of my favorite features of these games are that they are Bluetooth enabled for multi-player play (on separate devices) as well the ability to email scores to parents/teachers as well as an interactive whiteboard to try to workout the problem.

Below is a list of the different educational games....

• 5 Dice: Order of Operations Game

  
  (Cost: FREE!)
  5 Dice: Order of Operations Game is a math app intended for upper elementary and middle school students that helps students enjoy practicing their order of operations. Read More Here

  4 Dice: Fraction Games

  
  
  (Cost: $1.99)
  4 Dice: Fraction Games is a math app for middle school and upper elementary students. The goal of the game is to present fractions in a way that is both conducive to learning and fun. Read More Here

  Ordered Fractions: Comparing & Ordering Fractions

  
  
  (Cost: $1.99)
  Ordered Fractions game begins by pressing the button that rolls the dice. Students then insert these numbers into the boxes on the board, which creates the fractions. Students then position the fractions in ascending order by comparing fractions. Read more here

  Grid Lines: Ordered Pair Game

  
  
  (Cost: $1.99)
  Grid Lines is a Battleship-style math app used to teach students the coordinate plane. Students will get practice plotting points on a coordinate plane by playing a game similar to Battleship. Read more here

  Skip Math: Skip Counting Games

  (Cost: $0.99)
  Skip Math is a simple math game that helps practices skip counting. Skip Math is a a Doodle Jump style math game in which a girl or boy who jump from platform to platform counting by a certain number. Read more here
  
  

  Tangram Chess: Transformation Games

  
  (Cost: $1.99)
  Tangram Chess For Kids, Translations (slides), Rotations (turns) and Reflections (flips). Every game of Tangram Chess has its own story. Some are long-drawn out strategic affairs; others can be quick, but complicated, tactical battles. The winner is the player who can out-think his or her opponent, and make the best plans for attack and defence. Read more here

  Jack and the Beanstalk a Mathematical Adventure

  
  Hi, my name is Jack. I know you have all heard of me before, I'm the guy who climbs an enormous beanstalk to retrieve the princesses amulet. But today I would like to tell you the real story of HOW I was actually able to accomplish such a feat.  Read more here
  
  
  I highly recommend checking out Math File Folder Games by clicking here!!
  *Math File Folder Games is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

SlideIdea

SlideIdea is a fantastic free iPad app for creating engaging presentations/slideshows.  A user can do this by creating a presentation from scratch through a simple to use widget, or download one of the many free templates.  Where SlideIdea really shines is the ability to interact w/ an audience/students.  This is done by a unique ID code which is generated for each presentation.  All a teacher has to do is share that code (URL) and a student can use any device (laptop, phone, iPad) to interact w/ the presentation.  Some of the ways a educator can interact w/ their students using SlideIdea is to: poll, ask questions, assess, etc etc.  This is ideal for Mobile Learning and Differentiated Instruction.

I highly recommend checking out SlideIdea by clicking here!!!!

Below is a brief demo....



For my Pinterest board on Presentation/Slideshow creators click here.
For my Edshelf collection on Educational iOS Apps click here.

GoClass

GoClass is a fantastic educational tool (site/app) that allows educators to share their lessons in mobile environment.  Teachers can use the GoClass web interface (site) to manage and create interactive lessons for students and then share them to their mobile devices.  Also, they can create courses, track students, assess, and more.  GoClass uses the formula of Show, Explain, and Ask to teach and reinforce learning.  This is a fantastic way for not only Mobile Learning but for "flipping a classroom" and Differentiated Instruction as well.

I highly recommend checking out GoClass by clicking here!!!

*GoClass is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Level It Books

Level It Books is one of my favorite iOS apps for educators.  This is a must have app for any educator, parent, or librarian looking to save time on finding out a Reading level a book.  All a user has to do is launch the app to scan a book's ISBN to get a Reading level.  Best of all a user can manage books and track students to create a digital library.  This is a great way to find out grade level equivalent of books, manage classroom or library books, and more.

I highly recommend checking out Level It Books by clicking here!!!

*Level It Books is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

9Slides

9Slides is a fantastic site/app for adding video/audio to a presentations.  The way this works is simple, a user uploads a presentation file (PPT, Keynote, PDF, etc) and then can either add audio to narrate their presentation, or even a video.  This is great for doing a Pecha Kucha style presentation and ideal for "flipping a classroom".

For a brief demo view below...



I highly recommend checking out 9Slides by clicking here!!!

*9Slides is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Book Writer

Book Writer is one of my favorite iOS apps for digital storytelling.  This is a fantastically simple tool for students or teachers to use to create a digital book.  By the touch a screen a user can upload an image, video, text, etc and create a stunning multimedia book.  They can add text and best all record audio to add narration to their book.  This is perfect for mobile learning and can even be used to "flip a classroom". Also, a finished book can then be shared via email, printed as a PDF, or published into iBooks.

For a brief demo view below...



I highly recommend checking out Book Writer by clicking here!!!!

Science4Us

Science4Us is a wonderful curriculum for teaching Science for grades K-2.  This is a great program that integrates technology and allows students to learn students to learn a wide variety of subjects such as: Earth, Space, Matter, etc etc.  Also, all activities are aligned to common core standards and strengthen Literacy as well as Math skills.

I highly recommend checking out Science4Us by clicking here!!!

SpellingCity

SpellingCity is a site/app I've blogged about many times in the past that is quite simply the best resource for teachers wanting to help students learn their Vocabulary Words and how to Spell.  This is a great Web 2.0 tool that allows teachers to create customized spelling lists and then incorporate them into educational games.  Also, it allows for teachers to track students and let them practice online at home too.  Finally, there is a free iOS app that is ideal for mobile learning and integrates seamlessly w/ the website.

I highly recommend checking out SpellingCity by clicking here!!!

*SpellingCity is an advertiser of Technology Tidbits.

Super Teacher Worksheets

Super Teacher Worksheets is an excellent resource for teachers.  This is a fantastic site that offers worksheets, printables, puzzles, and more in a wide variety of subjects.  Also, this is a great place to find worksheet and puzzle generators where educators can customize their own worksheets.  Finally, there are lots of new features such as file cabinet, worksheets being aligned to Common Core Standards, and more.

I highly recommend checking out Super Teacher Worksheets by clicking here!!!

*Super Teacher Worksheets is an advertisers of Technology Tidbits.

The Human Body

The Human Body is a free (this week only) iOS app that is perfect for teaching students about the human body.  This app is completely interactive and covers such items as the: heart, lungs, eyes, skin, etc.  Also, there is an innovative record tool which allows students and parents/educators to record their conversations while they interact w/ this app.

I highly recommend checking out The Human Body by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational iOS Apps click here.
For my Edshelf collection on Educational iOS Apps click here.

ClassDojo Update

ClassDojo the mega-popular free site for educators to monitor/track student behavior has released some very exciting news...

Here are some key takeaways from the news:

• ClassDojo is now available for the first time internationally with 15 languages supported including Chinese, French, and Spanish
  
• In just the last year, the company has gone from 3.5 to 17 million teachers and students using the service

If you have not tried out this fantastically simple site to use to engage students and improve behavior I highly recommend checking it out.  Also, it has tons of free resources for teachers to use and share as well as a fun walk-through to help integrate ClassDojo into your classroom.

For more info on ClassDojo click here!!!

123 Tracing

123 Tracing is an excellent free educational iOS app designed for younger students PreK-K/toddlers to help them learn their numbers.  This is done in a fun engaging way where students trace the numbers on the screen while trying to collect fireflies to award them prizes.  Also, this game is highly interactive w/ music and verbal hints that help students learn as they go.

I highly recommend checking out 123 Tracing by clicking here!!

Write About This

Write About This is a fantastic iPad app (free/paid) for Writing prompts, that I just found out about on Edshelf.  Best of all not only can a students/educators find over a 100 prompts that are aligned to Common Core Standards but they can create their very own.  The paid version allows for user to create their own Writing prompts by adding a photo and text and even the ability to record their own voice.

I highly recommend checking out Write About This by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational iOS apps click here.

That's Appsolutely Genuis!

That's Appsolutely Genuis! is a new site for educational resources for teachers and parents.  This site has a number of nice resources such as: general tips, lesson plans, app reviews, websites, and more that parents and teachers can use to help students w/ their learning.

I recommend checking out That's Appsolutely Genuis! by clicking here.

For my Pinterest board on Educational Resources click here.

SchoolsWorld.tv

SchoolsWorld.tv is a great new site for finding safe/educational videos that I just found out about from Free Technology 4 Teachers.  This is a site that is ideal for educators, parents, and students where they can find educational videos on a wide variety of subjects.  The only wish I have is that a user can embed a video but as of right now they can only watch it online.

I highly recommend checking out SchoolsWorld.tv by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational Videos click here.

Cloudart

Cloudart is a great iPad app for creating word clouds that I just found out about from Edshelf.  This is a very easy to use app where a user can either add the text they want in their clouds or transform text from a webpage into a cloud.  Also, a user can edit their cloud once it is created to emphasize on certain words.

I highly recommend checking out Cloudart by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational iOS Apps click here.
For my Edshelf collection on Educational iOS Apps click here.

20 Sites/Apps for Learning how to Program or Code

There is no denying the popularity of computers and technology in schools.  More and more students are integrating technology into their everyday lives and learning new skills at a younger age.  Programs such as Project Lead the Way, Gen-Y, and now mobile devices help facilitate these skills w/ innovative technology tools.  Computer Programming is another one of these topics that is being covered more and more in school and a great way to integrate technology into the classroom.

*This list is in alphabetical order.

20 Sites/Apps for Learning how to Program or Code

1. ClassTools - A wonderful site for educators w/ lots of different resources.  A user can use a template or game generator to create customized educational games and then embed into their site/blog.
2. Code Avengers - A great site for teachers wanting their students to learn how to code games, websites (Javascript), or apps.
3. Code Monster - A fantastic very user friendly site that has students learn how to program Javascript by practicing in a side-by-side window and watching what happens as they type in commands.
4. Codecademy - A interactive site that helps students learn how to program in Javascript,  PHP, Ruby, or Python by step by step instructions.
5. CodePlayer - A nice site to learn HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript through video walkthroughs.
6. CodeSpells - A innovative app that teaches students how to code in Java by casting spells in a 3D virtual world.
7. Daisy the Dinosaur - A fun iPad app that teaches kids how to program and animate by dragging blocks together and watching Daisy preform the action.
8. GamePress - Is one of my son's favorite iPad apps that allows them to create games.  This app is ideal for learning the basics of programming by providing graphics, commands, logic and more.
9. Gamestar Mechanic - A nice site for teachers wanting to teach their students how to program games.  This is done by reinforcing skills such as, problem solving, writing, storytelling, and more.
10. Google Blockly - A visual programmer editor that reminds me of Scratch in where a user has to drag-n-drop blocks together to create an action.
11. Hopscotch - A wonderful iOS app that teaches kids how to program and create animations by dragging-n-dropping blocks together.
12. Kodable - A fun iPad app designed for younger kids that has them controlling fuzzballs to complete each level.  Each level deals w/ a simple concept of programming and gets more advanced as they get higher.
13. LearnStreet - a cool site for learning how to program Javascript, Python, or Ruby.
14. MIT App Inventor - A wonderful site filled w/ lots of educational resources for teaching students how to program mobile apps.
15. Programmr - A nice way to learn programming by solving coding exercises.
16. Quest - An innovative site/app for creating text based games that will show/hide the programming language while it is being worked on.
17. Scratch - Probably the most popular site on the list as 1000's of students have created online games through their very easy to use web interface.
18. Stencyl - A wonderful site for creating iOS or Flash based games by putting blocks together (i.e. Scratch).
19. Storytelling Alice - One of my favorite apps (Windows) on the list for learning how to program.  While this free app is no longer supported it is still available for download.
20. Tynker - A great site for students 4th-8th grade learning how to program.
    
    

Taught It

Taught It is a nice free file sharing site for educators.  This is a nice simply way for teachers to share files, images, documents, videos, etc.  It's easy to use and a user has a nice dashboard that manages resources and contacts.

I recommend checking out Taught It by clicking here!!!

Chima

Chima is a fun iOS app for wanting to reinforce students basic Math skills such as addition/subtraction. It's a fairly simple game where a user tries to answer a multiple choice Math question correct.  It uses a basic fighting/adventure/RPG style game where a correct answer attacks/hits the enemy causing them to lose hit points (HP).  The better a person does and they can level up.  There's also a nice feature to choose the monster you want to go against.

I recommend checking out Chima by clicking here.

To try out the browser version of the game click here.

Classmint

Classmint is a site for making flashcards/study notes that I just found out about from Free Technology 4 Teachers.  This is a great site that lets users create notes/cards that they can add images, audio, or annotate on.  This is useful when wanting to study via a digital flashcard and memorize information.

I highly recommend checking out Classmint by clicking here!!!

For a brief demo view below...

Quest

Quest is a innovative site/Windows app for creating text based adventure games (i.e, Zork).  This is a very useful way to teach programming/coding to students as it has a button which will hide/show scripting/programming language (i.e., Dreamweaver).  Also, a user can add images and video to really "spice" up their game.

I highly recommend checking out Quest by clicking here!!!

For 15 Sites Learning how to Program/Code click here.

LearnBIG

LearnBIG is a new curation site that reminds me of a cross between MentorMob and Edshelf.  This is a excellent site to find 1000's of educational resources on a wide variety of subjects (sites, apps, etc) reviewed by fellow: parents, educators, students.  Best of all a person can save, tag, and curate their favorites into a list.

Here is info straight from their press release...

1.      The site is community-reviewed by parents, teachers and learners.

2.      The format provides an easy way to search, filter and compare results.

3.      LearnBIG offers thousands of resources collected from websites and apps including games, courses, videos, and textbooks for all ages from Pre-k, K-12 and continuing learners. 

Below is a brief demo...



I highly recommend checking out LearnBIG by clicking here!!!

For my Pinterest board on Educational Resources click here.
For my Edshelf collection on Educational Resources click here.