Starting out
Simple apps to try
To start you off, try these free, easy to use apps. These apps represent different types of activity you can use tablets (and specifically ipads) for.
The best thing to do is play around with them and think of different contexts within which you could use them. Don't worry about the limitations of your hardware/wifi, think big. The below apps have been chosen because they are free and don't require any account creation to try out.
The best thing to do is play around with them and think of different contexts within which you could use them. Don't worry about the limitations of your hardware/wifi, think big. The below apps have been chosen because they are free and don't require any account creation to try out.
Make Dice
A fun way to randomly choose the next activity. Create a dice and label each side with words. Then roll the dice by shaking it. The free lite version gives you enough functionality to use effectively.
iBrainstorm
Online noticeboard web apps have been around for a few years. Some of these have produced ipad apps. iBrainstorm is a simple example which doesn't require an account creation to try out. Also check out lino.
Visualize
Suitable for creation of content by teacher and for individual/group project work for students. There is a strong creative element to the design of any visualize project. It's about mixing different media to make an effective poster-like display.
Ubersense
This app introduces the video possibilities of this device. By being mobile its able to be versatile in its location. This app is specifically for sport movement analysis. Try it and see how it works.
Simplemind
There are hundred of mindmapping web apps and many have produced an ipad version. There are many free examples. This one you can paly with without creating an account.
Skitch
Drawing and annotating on a blank screen, a photo, a map or a screenshot. A versatile app which can be linked to evernote if you use this. Easy to use.
Socrative
This is a slick, live Q&A tool which works well with both tablets and smartphones. You need to teacher app to create the questions or quizzes and the students need to student app to see and complete the quizzes. You can see/display live results and email them to yourself.
Paperport notes
A good, solid example of note taking app. Good usability allowing for text, drawn or narrated notation. You can also import pdfs to annotate. The sharing options are extensive..
Mind mash
Simple note taking app organised in sheets allowing for text, drawing and photos.
Inspiration lite
A good mindmapping tool with lots of template to work from and lots of display options. Can do 5 maps in this free version.
Popplet lite
Mindmapping with the bonus of using images and drawing. Colourfully displayed this is worth exploring. You can only create one popplet in this free version. However, the pay version isn't too expensive at £2.99.
Creative pad
Digitial storytelling tool with more background, character, object options than most. Music background is a bonus and you can share by pdf/email.
Flip boom
Create your own animations with a series of images. There are many such apps and this is good starting point as it only takes a few minutes to master. As with many of the above the free version doesn't allow you to build up a library. However, you can play with its full functionality.
Mental class
A flashcard creation and storage app. The core purpose would be for students to create revision notes but there is scope for teacher use too. Notes can be combination of text, images and audio and organised into subject cases. To share you need to pay but you can use it effectively for yourself for free.
Start lite - Web to pdf
There are many ways to convert a web page to a pdf. Unsurprisingly, there are many ipad apps fro this too. Start lite is a free example allowing for 3 such conversions per day.
