Catch App

Catch is a free app that is an enhanced to-do list if you will. You can write down ideas and add pictures, voice, websites and more. You can write checklists or simply take notes on ideas using a variety of methods. This could be useful both for individual use in keeping track of what needs to be done in class and in life, but these notes or checklists can be sent to anyone or group that you want to set up. You could set up each class as a specific group and keep them informed through multi-media format announcements that are quick and easy to create from your iPad.

There is a free application, Learnist, that claims to be of use for the classroom. The app is billed as a site to pin extra learning links and information for your class, a place students can go and explore to learn more about specific topics or ideas that piqued their interest. I have only been on a quick tour of the first page, and impressions are of a site that collects other sites for you to access. One of the comments on the site is that it is similar to Pintrist in the way it gathers and provides information. One file tab is "Education", and on that page is a link named "All things iPad and Apps" that I am going to explore. Learnist might provide a faster way to narrow your search when looking for specific tools then just doing a general search. There is a link for an article about putting iPads into elementary school classrooms.

Definately get a separate keyboard

A kindly elf recently left a bluetooth keyboard on my desk to use with the iPad. I will now be joining the technology revolution and taking notes for the Initiative on the iPad! (Yea!) As a person who has tried to use the iPad without the supplemental keyboard, I find it is much easier to use all aspects of the iPad WITH the keyboard. I'm sure all of you discovered this earlier. However, if your students ask, let them know they will find coursework much easier if they get the separate keyboard. They are welcome to come to the ITC and ask me in person!  Wenda

iAnnotate on sale through end of the year!

iAnnotate PDF is on sale for $1.99 through the end of the year. This is a HUGE savings, since iAnnotate is normally $9.99. If you haven't gotten it yet, now's the time to do it.

I've been using iAnnotate since I got my original iPad when they were first released. It's got a steeper learning curve than some PDF annotation apps and you do have to spend some time getting it configured for how you want to use it, but it gives you options and capabilities that other competing apps simply don't have (the ability to make "stamps" of frequently used comments, for instance). For those of you who were there, this is the PDF annotation app that Natasha talked about during our "lightning round" at the last meeting. She also gave a more detailed review in and earlier blog post... if you're still undecided on this one, note that she commented that the app is "$9.99 and totally worth it", so at $1.99 it's a total steal...

Katrina

I just got an email from QuickOffice, announcing that they're having a limited time sale on their MS Office compatible software... normally QuickOffice Pro (this is the iPhone version)  is $14.99 and is on sale right now for $.99. QuickOffice Pro HD (the iPad version) is normally $19.99 and is on sale for $4.99.  If you need to be able to work with Word or Excel files, including tracking changes and comments, this is a really good deal...

What not to do when photographing

The ipad came in handy to videotape a recent interdisciplinary simulation in the HEED Dept. Always liking a horizontal layout to my photos, I recorded many scenes then saved the files and sent to our IT for compilation.  She thanked me and kindly mentioned that all of my videos were sideways.  Whoopsie!  Much better to record with the on-off button on the bottom rather than the side :-)

Textboxes and D2L

If you've ever tried posting to the "news" area of D2L (or other sites that use similar textboxes) from your iPad, you may have noticed that you'll often end up with messy coding cluttering things up. WriteUp is a nifty text editor that allows you to type your message in rich text, and then copy it into the D2L textbox in Safari on the iPad and have the formatting remain the way you set it. It's designed specifically for writing on the web.

Air Display; using the iPad as an second display for computer

I use a second monitor at home with my laptop, and when I'm away for more than a weekend or so I find that not having that second monitor is annoying. Air Display is a nifty app for your iPad that allows you to use it as a second monitor for your computer. There's a small "server" app that you install on the computer, and when you launch the iPad app the two connect. It's quite slick and especially helpful when copying and pasting from a text document to a D2L text box (I use it a lot for setting up discussion questions). Rather than scrolling through the screens, I can have the two windows open side by side, and the vertical orientation of the iPad shows the entire text document page, making it easy to copy from one to the other.

Solar Walk - App of the Week

Solar Walk is the App of the Week, which means it is usually an app that cost money, but is free just for this week. I downloaded it just for fun and it is amazing! If there had been something like this around when I was a kid I might have been significantly more interested in our solar system. My kids love it and it is pretty good in detail and information about the planets, moons, and other information. Try it out while you can for free.

Pinterest

Pinterest is both a regular webpage and app that you can use. It can be used both for fun and for educational purposes. There are a lot of categories including art, crafts, education, history, architecture, etc. The list is quite long. You then select items that you are interested in and "pin" them. You can create different folders essentially and then place the various images and ideas you "pinned" into those. The history section is pretty amazing for photos and descriptions of various events.  Below is one history image so you can see what they look like. There are pages of these. Some provide descriptions, others just give photos. In the education section, while much of it is for elementary education, they provide ideas for teaching concepts. There is a food section with recipes. Essentially, its endless with possibilities and uses. You can also post your own photos and ideas as well. 

 

Please make sure you use a label to help keep our blog organized:-)

**If you don't see a label that fits your posting, feel free to create a new one!**

Open Mic - This is a great place for an open discussion regarding iPads and/or technology use within the classroom.

iPad Apps - This is a great place to share apps or ask questions regarding the use of apps!

Student Services - If you have any apps, tips or trick for the use of iPads to support Student Service.  This is also a great place to ask questions regarding the use of iPads in Student Services!

iPad in the Classroom -  Post ideas, apps or general questions regarding the use of your iPad in the classroom.

Behind the Scenes - iPads have many uses!  Share how you are using your iPad that extends beyond the classroom and student services.