36 of 100 - Tellagami App

Tellagami App

This app allows users to create simple animations and add voice-over narrations in a simple app. The animation mirrors the narrated voice in movement and there are a range of gestures, emotions etc that can be programmed. 

Applications:

1. Integrated into iMovie as a virtual host/guide.
2. Integrated in to a blog or website as a virtual tutor or help guide.
3. Create short animations collaboratively where students create a dialogue between virtual characters and cut it together in iMovie.
4. Virtual teacher in a LMS environment to reinforce salient teaching points.

36 of 100 - Tellagami App from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

35 of 100 - Polytune by TC Electronics

Polytune by TC Electronics

Another tuning app, but one worthwhile mentioning for its quality and accuracy. If you are a guitar player, bassist, music teacher or sing like a guitar, then this App may be your best option.


Applications:

1. Tune your guitar/bass.
2. Tune another's guitar/bass.
3. Provide tuning facilities wherever you have your iPad/Phone present i.e 'Does anyone have a tuner?' - 'Why yes, I do!'

35 of 100 - Polytune by TC Electronics from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

34 of 100 - Geocaching App

Geocaching

Geocaching is a great way to learn a range of geographic and deductive skills in the context of a fun & energetic activity. The App locates Geocaches near you and you can start any adventure to locate the hidden object at that particular location. The completed tasks is recorded to your online account and you can leave comments/notes etc. Users of the App can also set up their own Geocache challenges and register them on the website.

Applications:

1. Learn general mapping skills (e.g. navigating with a compass, GPS coordinates etc)
2. Improve spatial/geographic awareness
3. Enhance appreciation of the natural environment
4. Develop the sense of local citizenship
5. Get some exercise!

34 of 100 - Geocaching App from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

32 of 100 - The Floodline App

Floodline App

This Apps is fantastic. Made as a QLD Government/State Library response to the recent floods, this app utilises augmented reality (AR = a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thus providing a composite view).

Students open the App and hold them over printed image markers (found here http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/floodlines/exhibitions/memory#markers). These then transform into 3D images of various locations affected by the flood with the ability to track changes over time. 


Why are these AR (augmented reality) App's important in Education?

Augmented reality starts to bridge the divide between the digital and analogue. It overlays digital visuals over a 'real world' environment. It allows contextual learning in a spatial/geographic sense and can lead to high levels of engagement and powerful immersive learning experiences. 

32 of 100 - Floodline App from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

31 of 100 - Pic Collage App

Pic Collage

This simple and straightforward app allows you to quickly combine a range of photos into a simple collage. Select the photos, choose a layout, adjust bordering effects and output the final result to your camera roll.


Applications:

1. To create a visual overview of an event in a narrative style.
2. To present a body of visual work in one image.
3. To create a visual summary of samples in order to compare e.g. types of foliage in a particular geographic location.

31 of 100 - Pic Collage from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

30 of 100 - Guitar tuning app

Guitar tuner

Instrument tuning apps are a plenty these days. A great overview can be found here: http://appcrawlr.com/ios-apps/best-apps-instrument-tuner

The one reviewed here allows a standard tuner or tone generator. Its simple, cheap and quite accurate. It also saves muso's carrying yet another piece of equipment. For me, functionality outperforms the slight advantages of a traditional tuner.


Applications:

1. Tune your guitar.
2. Tune your friends guitar.
3. Practice your pitch (singing).

30 of 100 - Instrument tuning apps from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

29 of 100 - 8mm

8mm

The 8mm app successfully re-creates old film recording effects to create vintage style videos for your viewing pleasure. The App makers even factor in the sounds film style cameras used to make. Its simple to use and can stimulate some creative film making.


Applications:

1. Film making - specifically for retro genres  e.g. film noir
2. Documentary making that emulates particular film styles e.g. 60/70's
3. Art/Photography based courses.
4. Recreation historical events with film realism.

29 of 100 - 8mm Retro video app from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

28 of 100 - Shazam

Shazam

This app has been around for a while - still new to some though. The name is appropriate as it has a magical sense to it. Your iPad/iPhone mic listens to audio (from the radio, CD, another source) matches it against a database and tells you a raft of helpful information such as artist, album, spotify/rdio links etc.

Applications:

1. Solves the problem of: Whats that song?
2. Encourages listening to and sharing great music (possibly)
3. Credits artists through recognition.
4. Used in music classes in guessing genre/artists activities.

28 of 100 - Shazam from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

27 of 100 - The Keeper App

Keeper App

Passwords. As we engage with more cloud based services we amass password at an alarming rate. There are many App solutions to this (from simple to complex) and this one certainly ticks the simple box. Create a master password then add entries for each login/password for all your services e.g. email, social networks etc.

Applications:

1. To save time recalling a myriad of passwords.
2. To ensure safety of your passwords (encrypted files)
3. Share passwords securely (using the cloud option)

27 of 100 - Keeper App from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

26 of 100 - Podcasts

Podcasts

Podcasts offer a deep and rich source of audio and video content, neatly organised and easy to subscribe too. This App (there are many others) simply allows you to search and access this content and save it to your device if you so desire.


Applications:

1. Enrichment for your area of teaching/personal interest.
2. Free access to experts across many domains.
3. Easy integration into a course of study and could allow for simple flipped classroom activities 

26 of 100 - Podcasts from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

25 of 100 - The Notability App

Notability

The App has been an Apples Editor Choice awards recipient and is well worth using for any note taking/generating task. In fact, it does so much I thought I would let their promo do the talking:

Welcome to Notability, a powerful note-taker on iPad and iPhone: sketch ideas, annotate documents, sign contracts, complete worksheets, keep a journal, record a lecture, jot travel notes, or teach a class. 

Import forms, contracts, worksheets, documents, presentations, and even books; then use the same tools that help you take beautiful notes in Notability to mark up PDFs. Do you have files in other formats such as doc or ppt? Notability can import these too thanks to Google Drive. 


Applications:

1. One note taking app for almost all learning needs.
2. Easily create and share content.
3. Back up all content easily to Google Drive or similar cloud service.
4. Record audio as you take notes.
5. Create concept maps etc with the diagram tools.

25 of 100 - Notability - Note taking App. from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

Part 2 - Linking to Google Drive

25b of 100 - Notability - Extra from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

24 of 100 - Adding a Bookmark to your home screen

Add to homescreen

The add to home screen function is simply a way to add a bookmark to your iPad screen for easy access at a later date. Commonly visited sites can have their own app-like picture and name and can be tapped on later to access desired content.

Applications:

1. Bookmark commonly accessed websites.
2. Refer to number 1.

24 of 100 - Add to homescreen from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

23 of 100 - Download YouTube to your iPad (Utube+)

Utube+

Every once in a while a Youtube app pops up with the ability to download the content to your iPad. Utube+ is one of these (as is iTube - a very similar app). You can read more about these kinds of Apps here: Youtube to iPad Apps. 

The SmartCopying site (the official guide for Australian schools/TAFE) suggests some great points to consider when using these tools.

Applications:

1. How can one teach without accessing the largest video archive on the planet.
2. Flip your classroom with great online video content.
3. Discussion starters - find a controversial perspective to drive class discussion.
4. Create your own content to enhance your lessons and allow students to download.

23 of 100 - Utube+ from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

22 of 100 - The Spotify App

Spotify 

If you enjoy music then a music service like Spotify will tickle your fancy. 20 million + songs accessible with the option to make offline (stored on your iPad/phone) playlists. These services (of which there are many  - see comparison here http://tinyurl.com/pklwgny) represent how we will access music henceforth in the mainstream. Most cost about $10 per month for access (i.e about 4 cd's per year).

3 of 10 - Spotify 'Biggest shift in music since iTunes'

3 of 10 - 'Spotify'

Applications:

1. Music classes. Every genre imaginable accessible within seconds to assist student learning.
2. Any class that analyses lyrics e.g. English, History, Art, Photography, Geography ... etc. even 'MuteMath'.
3. Creative classes or teaching phases that are benefited by ambient music.
4. Any cultural study that links to a 'soundtrack' to that era/phenomenon.
5. The wonderful joy of listening to broad types of music.

22 of 100 - Spotify from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

21 of 100 - Snapseed - Photo editing app

Snapseed App

This App makes it easy to enhance the images you shoot on an iPad or iPhone. Nik software make this App and they are renowned for high-end image editing software. This review gives you a few basics on how to use this app to enhance the images you take. 

I have to give this one a top ten award. 

2/10 Snapseed - 'Brilliant, free photo editing app...love it!"

#2/10 Apps for the iPad

Applications:

1. Enhance images before printing across all domains.
2. Create images for a particular context using editing features e.g. old b+w or sepia style images.
3. Use in photography courses to teach basic enhancement principles.
4. Improve almost any photo in everyday life by enhancing the ambiance.
5. Re-create historical photos by using a range of tools available on this App.

21 of 100 - Snapseed from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

20 of 100 - TED Talks App

TED Talks App

TED talks. If you have somehow escaped this phenomena its time to get on board. Creative, big-picture thinkers on every discipline you can imagine presenting engaging content for you and your students to stew over, debate, consider, rebut etc. The App arranges the content beautifully and makes for a great resource to trigger your grey matter when preparing lessons or to stimulate student discussion. Prepare to be inspired!


Applications:

1. Stretch your mind as an educator within and beyond your area of expertise.
2. Be challenged about the inherent world views embedded in our education system (http://youtu.be/zDZFcDGpL4U) 
3. Watch cross-domain content and look for overlap - leads to some great creative thinking in classroom/professional practice in any context.
4. Watch the education tagged content to be challenged in our roles as educators.
5. Enrichment for gifted students - engages students!
6. Great class discussion stimulation.

20 of 100 - The TED App from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

19 of 100 - Audioboo

AudioBoo

Recording and sharing audio could not be easier than with using the Audioboo app. It has always struck me as odd that educators don't jump on these simple tools quickly. One of the daily rich tools an educator uses is the spoken word...why not record and share! Needless to say, this App makes the recording and sharing process so easy the only remaining barrier is the willingness of the teacher to take a risk....are you willing to take a risk to enhance the learning of your students?


Applications:

1. Teacher recorded lectures/podcasts.
2. Teacher asks for student questions on paper, answers them later via audio recording.
3. Students record discussion on course related content, record and submit.
4. Student speeches pre-recorded for review.
5. Recording of musical performances (10 min limit per Audioboo)

19 of 100 - Audioboo from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

19b of 100 - Audioboo again ; ) from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

18 of 100 - Flipboard - your personal magazine

Flipboard 

This is another great app that makes sense as it knocks off a few challenges of the information superhighway we call the internet. Firstly it helps us become effective curators of content in one central, easy to access location. Secondly, it formats internet content into an intuitive reading style with all the aesthetics of the magazine format. 


Applications:

1. Create a magazine of readings for your class (you can share your self constructed magazines with others via an easy share link)
2. Have students create their own reading list around a topic of research and submit it as a part of their assignment.
3. Create extension readings for extending gifted students.
4. Curate pre-reading material so students come to class prepared.
5. Create parent readings on educational topics of interest e.g. cybersafety, bullying, trends in edu etc

For more ideas check here: http://inside.flipboard.com/2013/08/29/flipboard-for-educators/

18 of 100 - Flipboard from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

17 of 100 - The Clock

The Clock

So this one is simple and most people know how this 'built-in' app works. See this review as a breather and I will balance it out with some more technical apps later ; ) 

The clock app has four main functions: current time (here or in any geographic location), alarm, stopwatch and timer.

Applications:

1. When travelling display your home/current location times easily.
2. Use the stopwatch, displayed on the screen, to measure class/student responses in game based scenarios.
3. Use the timer countdown, projected, to practice short thinking skills sessions (e.g. create a concept map in 25 seconds around X, write 10 related words in 10 seconds, write an estimate answer to these 5 math questions in 15 seconds and be ready to explain how you arrived at that estimate etc).
4. Have students create time based games to review class content.

17 of 100 - The Clock from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

16 of 100 - Simple Transfer Pro

Simple transfer pro

This one just makes sense. I want my iPad photo/video content from my iPad to my laptop or desktop. Both devices on the same wireless network and its super easy. Plug an address into a browser and you are looking at your camera roll on another device. Select, download and free up some space on that iPad.

1/10- best apps. This one is a top tenner. 

#1/10 Top Ten Apps for the iPad

Applications:

1. Teacher transfer of content to the computer for further sharing/learning.
2. Easy student transfer of content for teacher/peer review.
3. Storage management on the iPad (photos/videos being the biggest consumer of space).

16 of 100 - Simple transfer pro app from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

15 of 100 - The Wikipanion App

Wikipanion App

Wikipedia divides the educational folks somewhat. For me, its a great starting point with decent credibility if you apply some basic source checking practices. It is never the endpoint of research, merely a source for quick overviews and comparison against other sources.

 If you are a fan you will appreciate the 'Wikipanion' app. This app tidies up the Wikipedia experience and presents it quite nicely on the iPad. The search process within a topic is more efficient and the app is free. What's not to love!

Applications:

1. An improved experience of Wikipedia - efficiency of navigation.
2. Great overview sources for further investigation.
3. Effective in introductions to new areas of study.

15 of 100 - Wikipanion App from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

14 of 100 - Speedtest - How fast is my internet?

Speedtest by Ookla

The 'Speedtest' app measures the current download/upload speeds to your device in a speedometer format. It's easy to use and gives an indicator on what speeds you are getting on a particular network. 


Applications:

1. Testing home internet speeds - gives data when chatting to your ISP (internet service provider) about promised vs experienced speeds.
2. Testing school internet speeds - this can give you an idea on how much bandwidth is available to your device - will you be able to stream that youtube video?
3. Teach student the concept of bandwidth and a shared internet service. Can give credence to choices regarding limiting access to streaming video services.
4. To be honest, if you are a little geeky, its just fun!

* Note - if other devices are using the internet service, this app only reveals what is available to you 

14 of 100 - Speedtest App from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

13 of 100 - The Kindle App

The Kindle App

Already have a Kindle and want to access your content on an iPad? Easily achieved with the Kindle App. 

Applications:

1. Access your Kindle content on your iPad.
2. Output notes and other content to social media networks (this functionality is on some kindles already)
3. Have one device that covers reading and all other iPad functions (note - this may be too distracting for some ) 
4. Enables the reading of more books. This is generally quite beneficial.
5. Library kindle accounts on school owned devices to expand student reading options.

13 of 100 - The Kindle App from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

12 of 100 - World Atlas Map (National Geographic)

World Atlas App

This is one of those Apps that make the iPad make sense as such a brilliant learning tool. For $1.99 you get a great general overview of all the countries etc that make up this spinning globe we call earth. 


Applications:

1. General knowledge - just good stuff to know!
2. Global mindedness - give a geographical context to learning quickly and easily.
3. Quick comparisons between countries on key indicators of life quality e.g literacy, GDP, life expectancy etc
4. Perspective - reminds us that we are not the center of the world and are 1 of 7 billion.

12 of 100 - World Atlas Map (National Geographic) from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.

11 of 100 - AppsGoneFree

AppsGoneFree

'Appsgonefree' is a great app with a simple premise. Notifying you when paid apps become free. Apps regularly go through free phases (and sometime remain there for long periods) to drive interest or because their developers have progressed to other projects, or just feel a little altruistic. 

Applications:

1. Track educational apps for your class/school and jump on board if/when they are free.
2. Try out apps that you may not have purchased but are willing to try for free.
3. Recommend apps to others based on interest and/or expertise when they become free! How nice is that ; )

Enjoy!

11 of 100 - Apps Gone Free from Rob D Spreitzer on Vimeo.