I-nigma turns your camera into a sophisticated barcode reader. This is the app to use for QR codes. More information about QR codes is available separately.

The reason why this app is first on the list is because QR codes for paid-for apps were giving to our district teachers to easily download apps to their iPads.

Free

Dropbox is a free service that lets you bring all your photos, docs, and videos anywhere. Requires an account set up by the teacher. Start by going to the Dropbox website and sign up for an account using your district email and a very simple, easy to remember password. (You're going to give your students this password.)

Free

Create, Edit, Access & Share Microsoft® Office files, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel


VPP 9.99

This app allows users to annotate pdf files from the web, also allows user to insert blank pages, consolidate and transfers them to GDocs, DropBox, or email. 

Lesson Ideas: Expectation Outline -- A pre-reading activity in which students skim the assigned reading, then write down some questions they expect to be able to answer, or key concepts they expect to learn about, as the result of completing the reading.

Graphic Organizers - download one of charts, graphs, or diagrams, which encourage students to see information as a component of systems rather than isolated facts. Students may complete these as they read or view a presentation using text typing or hand written notes.

GIST – Summarization procedure assists students in “getting the gist” from extended text 

1. Students and teacher read a section of text from an internet article
2. After reading, assist students in copying 10 or more words or concepts that are deemed “most important” 
3. List words on the notepad
4. Together, write a summary statement or two using as many words as possible. 
5. Write a topic sentence to precede summary sentences.

Free

PaperDesk is a simple, easy-to-use notebook allowing user to record and write.

Journals -Students keep questions and ideas in a journal. These may be used later to develop a formal piece of writing.

Twelve Word Summary - In 12 words or less, students summarize important aspects of a particular chunk of instruction or reading. Can be oral or in writing

Free

On the left panel you have a web browser and a calculator while on the right panel you have a notepad and another web browser.

GIST – Summarization procedure assists students in “getting the gist” from extended text 

1. Students and teacher read a section of text from an internet article
2. After reading, assist students in copying 10 or more words or concepts that are deemed “most important” 
3. List words on the notepad
4. Together, write a summary statement or two using as many words as possible. 
5. Write a topic sentence to precede summary sentences.

VPP 1.49

Write text (and change font color, size, etc.)
- Draw anywhere in your notes
- Search any website - and grab images from them for your notes using two fingers
- Import PDFs from the internet
- Import images from your photo library
- Record sound/voice
- Create tables
- Highlight text
- Change page background to graph paper, lined paper, legal paper, etc.

3-2-1 - Students jot down 3 ideas, concepts, or issues presented. Students jot down 2 examples or uses of idea or concept. Students write down 1 unresolved question or a possible confusion.

Pass the Picture - Each person in a group has a visual of a person. A blank sheet of paper is clipped to the back. The teacher asks a question (e.g., "What is his/her name?"). Students write the answer in a complete sentence on the blank page. Students then pass the visual and the paper to the student on the right. The teacher continues asking questions and students continue writing the answer, then passing the visual to the right for 6-8 questions. At the end, each student will have a descriptive paragraph for each visual. Each student takes a visual and shares it with the group while reading the final paragraph description.

Quick-Write - Pre-reading or pre-writing focus activity. Students are asked to respond to a question or prompt in writing for 5 minutes. Emphasis is on getting thoughts and ideas on paper. Grammar, spelling, style not important. If students get stuck they can repeat phrases over and over until a new idea comes to mind. (Assessment strategy) Student writes for 2-3 minutes about what he heard from a lecture or explanation/read/learned. Could be an open ended question from teacher.

Free

"Notability 4.0 is the first truly integrated note-taking app for iPad. Standing on a framework that automatically links notes with audio recordings, Notability supports all of your note-taking needs -- handwriting, PDF annotation, word processing, and more work together seamlessly allowing you to create comprehensive, beautiful notes, quickly and simply. Auto Sync ensures your notes are backed up safely. And now you can personalize the look and feel of Notability’s library and toolbars with Themes, from colorful, to clean, to classic."

Audio files transfer through email along with PDF of documents

VPP .49

Add pictures and symbols to create sentences or stories.

1. Write your words and use your own photos: This option gives the most freedom for children to create a more personalized story.
2. Write your own words and choose from a wide variety of images in the gallery. This is a fun and easy way to add simple illustrations to your story. A child can experiment with different ideas and manipulate the size and placement of the images. The only drawback is that you are limited to the selection in the gallery.
3. Choose from a set of topics and the app writes a story for you. In this option, your main focus is to play around with creating illustrations.

VPP 1.49

Users write text. and illustrate by drawing on the screen, taking a photograph of something you see, or drawing on paper and then photographing the paper, or attaching photos from your album. Sounds can be recorded for telling your story or as sound effects. Layout the elements of your story (text boxes, images, and sound clips) freely by dragging them or pinching to resize. Add, reorder, or delete pages from your book.

1. Type your chosen vocabulary word from the list
2. Draw a picture of the vocabulary word on the same page
3. Add a blank page 
4. Using one of the strategies create a definition for the word and type the definition 
5. Share with your partner

Free

Toontastic is as easy as putting on a puppet show or an animated cartoon - simply press the record button, move your characters onscreen, and tell your stories through play! Once you’re done, Toontastic will play back your animation and voice as a cartoon for you to share with others.

• Role-Play - Students can personify a concept or object of study (e.g., precipitation, liberty, inference) or a person being studied.
  
• Demonstrate their understanding of a person or historical event by creating interview questions and responses
  
• Convey the essence of the person or historical event through an interview that is performed for peers.

Free

Using text, images from picture gallery or hand drawn illustrations, this extremely flexible app can be used for the following:
- Exploring Ideas: Brainstorming, Mindmapping
- Planning Projects: Diagrams, Process Charts 
- Recording Thoughts: Journals, Notes, Lists
- Collecting Inspiration: Mood Boards, Scrapbook, Travel Plans
- Creating Galleries: Photo albums, Portfolios, Presentations
- Studying: School Projects, Class Notes 
Concept Definition Maps – Structured word webs used to explore more complex concepts. The center circle may be a broad concept such as “habitat” and spokes leading off the circle may be organized to respond to questions such as “What is it?”, “What are some examples?” and “Why is it important?”

Free Version allows user to create one popplet at a time, saving each before creating the next. 

This app is a nice alternative to Popplet as the free version allows the user to create many different graphic organizers.

"With MindMash, you can:
- Organize notes and thoughts easily and creatively
- Add text and images to a sheet
- Sketch freely on a sheet during Drawing mode
- Resize images and adjust text area through pinching
- Replace images and text by double tapping
- Drag around bits of data to manipulate layout"
FREE

SonicPics is an app that allows students to select photos from the iPad Photo Library and then record narration to create a simple video. 

1. Create multimedia books. Students create illustrations in a drawing app like Whiteboard Lite or Drawing Pad, save the illustrations to Photos, and then pull them up in SonicPics to record the words.
2. Document a classroom experience. Load photos of a field trip, science experiment, special visitor, etc. onto the iPad and have students narrate the photos.
3. Assess a learning experience. Load photos of an individual or group working in the classroom, and then have students narrate those photos to explain their process and reflect on their learning.
4. Retell a story. Have students draw pictures to represent the beginning, middle, and end of a story, and then record their retelling.
5. Generate questions to support inquiry. Load content-related photos on the iPad. Have students select 3-5 images and record their questions. This can also be an assessment piece to collect data about the level of thinking and questioning students are engaged in.
6. Create a podcast. Use photos or student-created illustrations or diagrams as your images. Consider content-oriented podcasts, news about school, book reviews, issue-oriented podcasts -- the sky is the limit.
7. Create vocabulary videos. student narrated high frequency word videos. Use the VIA. 

Free Version only allows for 3 pictures
VPP 1.49

Storyrobe is an user-friendly application that enables you to create a digital story (maximum 3 minutes) in 3 steps. The first step is to select the images. It gives the option to choose a picture from your album, use your iPad to take new ones or record a video, After the images are put in the right order, it is time to press record and start the narration. There is also one control to select the next image, therefore they will go along with your narration perfectly. After recording, there is the option to edit your story or publish for others users to see. It saves a video in the Camera Roll or can be sent via email. 

VPP .49

Record your voice as you move puppets to create digital stories.

Using animation and dialogue, create a Puppet Pals show to demonstrate comprehension and factual knowledge. Can also demonstrate understanding of  significant people in history, characters in a book, explain scientific process

Puppet Pals How To

VPP Director's Pass allows students to use a "green screen" effect with their own images and more choices in characters and backgrounds

VPP Directors Pass 1.49

Add Puppets, props, scenery, and backgrounds and start creating. Hit the record button and the puppets automatically lip-synch to your voice. Finished projects are viewed on the iPad. There is no other way to share as students will not upload to Facebook or YouTube. 

Cooperative Dialogue -

Students work in pairs. Following the timeline from text that was previously read each pair writes a dialogue between two characters in the passage. Pairs are selected to present dialogues in chronological order to the class. Activity is designed to be a text "re-presentation."


Free

Use crayons, markers, paint brushes, colored pencils, stickers, roller pens and more to draw, sketch, illustrate, or create art work.


Concept Sketches – (different from concept maps) are sketches or diagrams that are concisely annotated with short statements that describe the processes, concepts, and interrelationships shown in the sketch. Having students generate their own concept sketches is a powerful way for students to process concepts and convey them to others. Concept sketches can be used as preparation for class, as an in-class activity, in the field or lab, or as an assessment tool. 

Image and Quote with Cooperative Poster - Groups of four are formed. Students read a selection. Each chooses a quote and an image that have impact for them. Groups come to consensus on favorite image and quote. Each student takes one colored pen. With all members participating, and each using their chosen color, they draw the group image and write the groups quote. Posters are shared with the class using the projector.

VPP .99

Users use this app create short tutorials and share these with others. Creates a screencast that includes drawing and voice recording.


Acting Out a Problem -- Students can act out mathematical, scientific, or social problems to improve their comprehension.

This extremely versatile app can be used to create a tutorial. The finished video can be uploaded to a website or emailed. The features include adding a photo from DropBox as well as the camera and photo gallery. 

“Splice together HD photos and videos in an amazingly simple way. Add music tracks from your iPod library, sound effects, transitions, borders, effects (like Ken Burns, slow motion and fast forward), trim video and audio, narrate with your own voice, and much more.”
Performance-Based Assessments: 
Products: Writing samples/essays in the form of scripts for short video, projects, art or photo exhibits, or portfolios 

• Performances: Oral reports, skits/role-plays, demonstrations, or debates 
• Video slide shows in the form of “book trailers”
• Video demonstration of specific academic vocabulary

Free

“The fastest way to create great looking videos -- automatically! Turn raw video clips and photos into tightly edited masterpieces to share with your friends, in just three simple steps.”



Free

“The original and ever-popular word search game is now even more fun on iPad.” Use as a warm up. Note: This app uses the Internet. Some teachers have complained that the app crashes as soon as it's opened. This might be due to the firewall settings in the district's network. Try it!

VPP .99

Alternative game to Boggle. 

Add balloon to give your subjects thoughts and words. Add captions to describe the scene of give the photo a title.

Use images from camera and other sources and enhance with captions, speech bubbles, or thought bubbles to demonstrate comprehension, inference, characteristics, making predictions.

Students create a comic strip story using new vocabulary words that are being taught. 

Having students fill in talk or thought balloons for different cartoon characters also helps students practice conversation and language structure in a meaningful context.

Free version has the Comic Touch logo on the finished picture. In addition the free version DOES NOT have the effects that are shown in this video.

Free brainstorming application for the iPad and the iPhone. The app allows you to record brainstorming sessions using a combination of free hand drawings and sticky notes.
Brainstorming - Students work as a whole group with the teacher, or in small groups. Begin with a stimulus such as a word, phrase, picture, or object and record all responses to that stimulus without prejudgment. The students give ideas on a topic while a recorder writes them down. The students should be working under time pressure to create as many ideas as possible. All ideas count; everything is recorded. More ideas can be built on the ideas of others.

Free

iCardSort is an excellent brainstorming tool that helps you to visually organize ideas quickly and easily.

Affinity -- A brainstorming approach that encourages less verbal members of a group to participate. First, all members of the group write responses to the problem or question on separate cards, then the cards are silently grouped by each member while the others observe. After a discussion, the agreed upon arrangement is recorded as an outline or diagram.

Predict-O-Gram – Provide a list of words students will learn in an upcoming unit of study. Then have students sort the words into a chart (or TREE MAP). SCIENCE EXAMPLE: List 12 words associated with Respiratory System. Students are to sort into one of three categories: Functions of the Respiratory System, Organs of the Respiratory System, and Diseases and Disorders of the Respiratory System.

Word Sorts – Used for students to categorize words or phrases that have been previously introduced. The students organize the cards according to meaning, similarities in structure, derivations, sounds, words, and phrases related to a content concept or other criteria determined by the teacher.

VPP 2.99

The first fully functional free flashcard app. Integrated with Quizlet, the largest online flashcard database with over 3 million sets!

Flash Cards - After 10 minutes into a lecture or concept presentation, have students create a flash card that contains the key concept or idea. Toward the end of the class, have students work in pairs to exchange ideas and review the material.

Vocabulary Cards - Each student selects a difficult vocabulary word fro the story and creates a card in the following manner: The word and its definition in the front, and a drawing and the vocabulary word in a sentence in the back. These cards are shared with team members, then exchanged with other groups.

Free

_Features:

-Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Flashcardlet is easier to use and more refined than any other flashcard app.
-Create new decks of flashcards quickly and easily. Edit existing decks, even ones from Quizlet.
-Store or share your decks using Dropbox or E-mail
-Download flashcard decks from Quizlet, the leading online study site. Quizlet decks that have been added to your library can be studied offline and edited.
-Study Quizlet flashcard decks with high-resolution images.
-Study long flashcard decks without any performance issues.
-Flip through cards with natural-feeling gestures that move as fast or slow as you would like.
-Don't waste your time waiting for flashcard decks to download: they download automatically in the background.
-Study in both portrait and landscape orientations.
-Cards are pleasing to the eye and look better than handwritten flashcards do.
-Study even more efficiently by discarding cards you have mastered or bookmarking troublesome ones.
-Study your cards in the order that helps you learn best - random, alphabetical, or an order that you specify."

FREE

The free Merriam-Webster app brings America's most useful and respected dictionary to the iPad. Supported by ads

Support writing and reading comprehension
Access definition of vocabulary to support developing flashcards

Free

Edmodo is a unique social website for educational purposes. makes it easy for teachers and students to stay connected and share information. Use your iPad to send notes, post replies, and check messages.

Literature circles - organize class in to groups based on the book they are reading. Provide prompts for them to respond in discussion board format

Peer feedback - students can post a piece of writing to their page and students can provide feedback based on specific criteria set by the teacher

Connect to current events - post an article from the internet or set of articles. Ask students to provide feedback in the form of summary, reflection and response, comparison, connection to another piece of text



Free

The Newseum's Today's Front Pages brings the front pages of hundreds of newspapers from all over the world daily.

Compare and contrast various perspectives of a world event based on newspapers from various places in the country or the world.


Free

The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Science360 for iPad provides easy access to engaging science and engineering images and video from around the globe and a news feed featuring breaking news from NSF-funded institutions.
Activate students’ prior knowledge, but also build background for those who have these gaps in their understandings of various Science topics.

Free

“Learn something different each day with the free BrainPOP Featured Movie App for the iPad. Watch BrainPOP’s daily animated movie, then test your new knowledge with an interactive quiz.”
Access non-fiction text and media and demonstrate comprehension through interactive activity

Free

Whiteboard is a collaborative drawing app for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Experience better doodling with Whiteboard's smooth, fluid markers.

Circular Check- Students in groups are given a problem with a definite answer (good for math & science). First students completes first step without contribution from others in-group and passes it to the next student. Second student corrects any mistakes and completes next step, again with out input from the group. Problem gets passed to next student and the process continues until the group has the correct answer.


Response Boards - for group responses and can be erased easily for next answer.

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