iPads in the Classroom: Finding Excellent Learning Apps
Author: Rick Phelan
Published: 05.16.13
iPads can be powerful learning tools when they are paired with excellent apps. Tech-savvy teachers actively search out apps to support student learning. With over 300,000 apps to choose from, a common question is, “How do you find excellent apps for the classroom?” This post offers suggestions for finding and evaluating iPad apps. The apps you find can help personalize learning, offer visual and kinesthetic access, and support students in expressing their thinking.
Finding Apps
iTunes Store: The most common way of locating iPad apps is through the iTunes Store, which is accessed through the iTunes computer application. The Store allows you to both browse and search for apps. You can focus browsing on a specific category by using the drop-down ‘Category’ menu. Drop-down categories include books, business, education, entertainment, games, health and fitness, music, news, productivity, reference, and weather.
Searching for apps in the iTunes Store is most effective when you use specific criteria. Consider adding one of these descriptors to your iTunes search: tutorial, reference, practice, social media, classroom management, simulation, game, or authoring tool.
Websites: There are many websites that offer listings and recommendations of iPad apps for education. Here are three that provide a good starting point:
Blogs: Many groups and individuals are using blogs to share ideas about iPads and learning, so they are a great way to learn about apps. Here are two blogs known for offering iPad app recommendations:
Twitter: Twitter’s popularity is growing among educators. There are millions of Twitter contributors who use ‘hashtags’ to index their posts of 140 characters or less. Twitter posts can be searched via popular web browsers (choose ‘Twitter’ from the search choices) or use Twitter’s feature for searching. Enter one of these “hashtags” to search Twitter posts for app suggestions:
#edapps
#edapp
#ipadapps
#appsforkids
Evaluating Apps
Your collection of apps will grow quickly when you use the techniques presented above. To sort the great from the good, evaluate your finds by asking questions and applying rubrics. Suggested questions to consider:
- How does this app match my curriculum needs? Does it complement and support my unit plan outcomes?
- How is the app’s interface? Will students find the app intuitive and easy to use?
- Does this app allow for alternative exploration, open-ended questioning strategies, and critical thinking?
- Is content appropriate for the intended audience or age group?
- Will the app sustain engagement over time?
- How is the technical quality? Is the app reliable? Are there options for controlling multimedia features? Is there a website for technical support?
Rubrics: Along with these questions, another means of evaluating apps is through rubrics. Two sample rubrics are noted below.
- Evaluation Rubric for iPod & iPad Apps (pdf)
By Harry Walker and Kathy Schrock
Evaluation categories include curriculum connections, authenticity, feedback, differentiation, student friendliness, student motivation, and reporting.
- Education App Evaluation Checklist (pdf)
By Tony Vincent
Evaluation categories include content, tutorials, setting customization, student history, reliability, technical operation, higher order thinking and collaboration options.
Blog: Technology for Learners
