Mike

Assignment 1:

I plan on using the text book about the apps from Arkansas and also a Language Arts app course. At our school we have been discouraged to have students bring in their own technology, but as a tester of technology I have given my students permission to use these items this year. I am really hoping that as next year's new differentiation and RtI come into effect, the use of the iPad and other technologies will become more of a tool. I look forward to updating lessons and units to include these new apps and teaching methods.

Assignment 2:

Find 10 content specific apps, list their name and how they could be used in the classroom: 1. Wordball--used for spelling. All the letters are available in balls bouncing around the screen. You click on them to create words. As the letters are used, the ball get smaller until it disappears. Competitions between students possible.

2. Ultimate Hangman: Your usual hangman game but this one allows you to run competitions or tournaments between students or groups. Can be played with single, double, or multiplayer groupings.

3. Popwords--This game brings the game Tetris back to the fore front. As the letters drop down, you make words. Used when students have a few minutes to challenge the teacher or other student with quick thinking.

4. Words with Friends--This is a great game for any person, young or old. Start a game of Words with Friends which is like Scrabble. There is no pressure to do it quick or not. When you have time, add your new word. This can get addictive to see who gets the most points, but I can say, it is all about knowing which words work best and cross triple and double tiles. It is alright to let your students win...sometimes.

5. Scvngr--This is a type of social media dealing with locations. Check in at a particular place and do the activity asked of you. I have not set one up yet, but have used this before when I took my students to Washington DC. You can set up your own activity list. Hoping to try this next year.

6. Conundra--Allows you to select your difficulty from two different categories; 6-7 letters or from 8-10 letters. As you rearrange the letters to plug them in, you try to make the same word the computer is thinking of. This is neat because it keeps track of stats so you could see how a student progresses or a competition against other students.

7. Collaborize Classroom--This is a posting and commenting app. Teacher posses a question or statement and students post a reply. Then, readers can go in and reply to comments made. I have used this as an alternative to weekly writer's notebooks. Students love reading what others have posted about their writing. Can set it to be multiple choice, short answers and a few more.

8. Word Warp Xtreme--How many words can you make out of 7 letters? This app times you as you try to make 3, 4, 5, 6, and one 7 letter words. Group practice or class time filler. This reminds me a lot of the game Chicktionary.

9. VoiceThread--This is great for book reports or book discussions along with taking pictures and video and having others critique or comment on it. Comments can be left by typing, recording, videoing, or by phone. Great way to get everyone involved in a discussion or to let grandma see her granddaughter's play. Very cool for students and teachers. Great for teaching topics as you can write on the item and it will disappear. Great bank of ideas of what it can do.

10. Animoto-- This is proabably my students' number one presentation tool. Take or use saved pictures or short videos and then turn them into a larger video. Apply for the teacher free promotional code which allows you to have 50 student/other accounts. If you don't use the promotional code, videos can only last 30 seconds. With the code, users are able to create longer videos with added bells and whistles. Highly recommend!

Find 5 pesonal apps, include their name and how you would use them:

1. Songify--This one could fit into the educational as well, but the idea of speaking and Songify making it a song, intrigues me. This could be used instantaneously at a family reunion or party. Not exactly sure at this time how I will use it, but the possibilites are endless.

2. Temple Run--This app has your avitar running away from things and you must swipe for directions and to jump or slide under. All this while you are collecting coins in order to purchase items as you try to get away.

3. Pandora Music--I absolutely love that you can virtually pick your song or music to play on a station you create. Really puts you in control of what you are listening to. I love this app.

4. Chicktionary--This one also could be up in the educational. This game really challenges me to work with spelling and speed. I get such a chuckle as the chickens are clucking when you select them.

5. Marvel--I am a huge comic fan and so keeping up with the newest story lines is important to me. My excitement for comics bubbles over into my classroom as we study comics and graphic novels at the beginning of the school year to ease our way back into school and required reading. My students love it and so do I.

Assignment 3: Personal Ebook download: Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson and Laura Park

Educational Ebook dowload: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass