Classroom Management
These are apps that can be used to manage the day-to-day workings of the classroom. Whether it is seating charts in TeacherKit, group or class points using Class Dojo, choosing random students through PickMe, continuing class discussion in Schoology, or setting up timers with Jumbo Stopwatch, your classroom will never be the same. I have used all of these in the past, but my current site's LMS makes TeackerKit and Class Dojo a bit obsolete. For those who don't have a good LMS, these are great options.
Quite possibly the most necessary app out of all on this page. Use this app to send 1-way text messages to anyone subscribed to your feed. Class updates, news, homework, or school info. You must have this app
|
Welcome to your best friend in and out of the classroom. Post questions, collect assignments, have discussions, share links and resources, and so much more. Check out this free app that will change the way students interact!
|
Tired of "randomly" choosing the same students? PickMe is easy to set up and randomly selects students for you. Just upload your roster and PickMe does the rest with random students to call on for their contributions.
|
Have you ever wanted to communicate with your students and/or parents without needing to give out your personal phone number? With this app, create a free phone number to text or call students and parents
|
Sharing is caring. Instead of looking at your watch, set up the Jumbo Stopwatch when giving timed exercises. Easy to see for all students and a simple interface. "Class, you have 12 minutes... GO"
|
Instruction
All of the apps below are helpful tools to use during (or preparing for) instruction. There are great uses for the whiteboard apps, presentation apps, the graphing calculator, dictionary, PDF annotator and the collage creator. Your lessons will certainly evolve from monotonous to amazing by implementing any of these great instruction apps. On a daily basis, I am using ShowMe and/or Educreations for initial instruction, Desmos when the need for a graphing calculator arises, and will start getting into Aurasma as the year progresses for some ARmazingness.
Screencasting made easy, ShowMe is simple and effective. Great database of pre-made ShowMe lessons for you to peruse. Erase, wipe, include pics, change colors, a must have app
|
The pinnacle of screencasting (for now) with background templates of lined paper, graph, coordinate grid as well. Wipe clean, include pics, change colors, a must-have app
|
Get ready for the coolest calculator that you've ever seen! Simply write in a calculation with your finger or stylus and it automatically solves. Try it today.
|
Create dynamic presentations with embedded pics, video, charts, shapes, and incredible templates. Easy transition and all from your iPad
|
One of the cleanest education apps on the market. A MUST HAVE. Easily create simple and dynamic presentations in a flash with high quality images. Once again, you need this app
|
If you teach math in middle or high school, this is the best free graphing calculator in the app store. Get rid of your TI-83 and get this app. Prepare to be amazed.
|
One of the only paid apps on this list that is a must-have. Write up any worksheet, sample problem, or any other PDF document. Nearly a daily-used app
|
Prepare to have your mind blown with this Augmented Reality (AR) app. Hover over a $20 bill to see the fun. Create your own for classroom instruction, investigation, and discovery.
|
One of the coolest niche apps available. Copy and paste any amount of text into the app and it generates a word cloud with high frequency words larger
|
Your definitions are great, but this app has the right ones for almost any term out there. The best features? Voice recognition (ESL and SPED support?!) and thesaurus
|
Looking for a comprehensive app that destroys all others? Explain Everything allows you to change pen thickness, screencast, erase, insert text, video, and more. Well worth the money ($1.99 most of the time)
|
Have you ever thought about taking your handouts and projecting them on your iPad? How about emailing them, saving or storing those important documents? You can do this for free
|
Assessment
Have students create a comic using Comic Life. For students with special needs or English Language Learners, have them dictate their responses into Dictation. For advanced students, have them create their own book that proves mastery. Help students review using the Flaschards* app. Take it to the next level with iMovie. Whatever it is, the following apps have the WOW factor! The best assessment tool that I'm using right now is Socrative. Quick, efficient, and device agnostic. Download it, try it, and love it.
Check out this app if you have multiple iPads in the classroom. Students draw and record their work, then simply "drawp" it to the instructor. Google Drive integration, options to share with parents, and class sharing options make this a great app for instruction and assessment.
|
Speech-To-Text app that is free and incredibly easy to use. Give to ESL, ELL, SWD, or struggling students and have them "tell you" their answer. Review their answer using the transcribed text
|
Worth the money ($3.99), create books directly from your iPad that are interactive and engaging for students. Use as a review, introduction, or extension
|
Self-explanatory title, but such a powerful resource. Don't feel like making up your own? Search an abundant database or flashcard decks for almost any topic
|
Bring out your inner James Cameron with the most incredible movie creation app in the app store. Simple editing of video clips, include pictures, transitions, music, and export to a number of hosts
|
Create and administer assessments, either formative or summative. Include pictures, poll the class, create surveys, exit tickets, and have it all emailed to you for review! A MUST HAVE!
**You will need the Socrative Teacher app as well** |
Another worthy paid app, create incredible posters in a hurry to explain or extend concepts. More than that, create entire comic books around a unit or standard
|
Extra Resources
These apps help teachers store and share their documents through cloud-based storage and wifi transfers. All are free and have somewhat limited storage, but all have their ups and downs. Try each and see which one works for you.
Easily upload and share all of your documents, images, videos, and more using this free app with plenty of free storage to start with. A must-have for everyone with an iPad
|
Not only for storing and sharing files, but this app allows you to edit documents within the app itself. More than that, other editors can be on the same document at the same time
|
Everything stated about Dropbox and more. Create notes and easily share. Archive your favorite sites, create documents on the go, all with in-house storage
|
Yet another online storage app that gives plenty of free storage similar to the Dropbox app.
|
Ever wondered how you can get your photos and videos from your iPad to your computer? This app, as long as both are on the same network, is as easy as it gets.
|
Educational "Apps" aka Games and others
We all get stuck in a rut from time to time. Games, quotes, and cool stuff all catch our attention and distract us from our daily operations. These five apps help make you feel productive while you exercise your brain. Check each one out to see the great things that that the App Store has to offer.
