Kims Kaleidoscope

Random Apps

We now have at least 195 apps on our school iPads. I’m addicted to looking for new apps.

There are several good reasons for my addiction. One of my measurable goals for 2012-2013 has to do with increasing the number of classroom teachers who use iPads with students from zero to eighty-five percent. Last year iPads were primarily used by specialists and special education teachers with individual or small groups of children. I was pretty sure this was an easily achievable goal, but I’m making sure by looking for new apps weekly to entice teachers. There are nine more Appy Hours to go and I want to find apps to share that will encourage higher level thinking from the students but not have a steep learning curve for the teachers. I’m presenting a digital sandbox session at the VSTE conference in December with my friend, Fara Faust, on mobile apps. This last thing in a bit intimidating because we will be presenting to other technology integrators who have been looking for apps themselves for months. What makes me think I can find any apps they haven’t already found? My plan is to have many to choose from and try to find something new for folks in the group on the spot. I’m also going armed with specific ways the wonderful teachers at my school have used their favorite apps. I may even have some student work to share.

Indian Lakes teachers, and anyone else interested can find a list of the apps we have to date with descriptions here http://tinyurl.com/d2ab8je . I’ll be adding to it weekly as I update iPads with Apple Configurator.