The notion of what literacy is has changed in the 21st century and children need to be able to do so much more than simply read and write. They need to create, analyze, share and effectively use technology tools in the process. This is a collection of recommended apps for parents to use with their children. They will help to promote critical thinking skills and creativity as well as provide your child with essential skills for language learning. If you work with your child even better, as this helps them build skills for collaboration.
iMovie is a tool for video editing and creation. There are templates available or your child can create their own movies. A good project idea would be to create a 60 second movie of an event or experience. Take 60 photos and set their time frame to one second or edit some video footage into a 60 second chunk.
Paid Mac program: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imovie/id408981434?mt=12&at=10l6SU
Paid iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imovie/id377298193?mt=8&at=10l6SU
Paid iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/imovie/id377298193?mt=8&at=10l6SU
Use Vine to create short (think seconds), looping videos that can be shared. Camera angles and frame lengths can be adjusted.
Free iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vine/id592447445?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Book Creator is an app that allows students to create books and publish or share either as a PDF file or ePub book. They can also be exported to the iBooks app and look very professional. I use this app to create word problem books, original myths or stories. Audio and other media can be added to create multimedia publications. Great for a summer memory book.
Paid iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/book-creator-for-ipad-create/id442378070?mt=8&at=10l6SU
Free iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/book-creator-free-make-books/id661166101?mt=8&at=10l6SU
Google Chrome app: https://app.bookcreator.com/sign-in
Website: https://bookcreator.com/
Free Windows program: https://app.bookcreator.com/sign-in
Free Mac program: https://app.bookcreator.com/sign-in
Choose an image, create a story and publish the book. Storybird is an art-based storytelling platform that allows young writers to produce beautiful picture books that they can print or share on their devices.
Website: https://storybird.com/
Your child has probably used Kid Pix at school. They can draw, colour, create or edit images, animations or slideshows. This program is lots of fun - my kids will import pictures and draw on them as well.
Paid Mac program: http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=kid%20pix%203d%20mac&linkCode=ur2&rh=n%3A229534%2Ck%3Akid%20pix%203d%20mac&sprefix=Kid%20Pix%203D%20Mac%2Caps%2C206&tag=edshelf-20&url=search-alias%3Dsoftware
Paid Windows program: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006HBJXN6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006HBJXN6&linkCode=as2&tag=edshelf-20
Paper allows you to take notes, create illustrations and drawings or make sketches. You can use the ink engine to choose colours, texture and density of the inks. It works much like using a pencil and paper - but more visually stunning.
Free iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/app/paper-by-fiftythree/id506003812?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
This is an app you can use to create movies using lime lapse and stop motion. While you are on vacation you can capture the day and play it back in a matter of minutes. This fosters your childs' creativity and gives them an opportunity to create a project that stands out from other videos.
Paid iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/osnap!-time-lapse-stop-motion/id457402095?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Paid iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/osnap!-time-lapse-stop-motion/id457402095?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Free iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/osnap!-time-lapse-stop-motion/id457404788?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Free iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/osnap!-time-lapse-stop-motion/id457404788?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
This is a wonderful resource for journaling or creating memory books of vacation and important experiences. Select photos and add captions and text to create photo stories that look as if they came out of a published magazine.
Free iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fotopedia-reporter/id628430428?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Website: http://www.fotopedia.com/reporter/
WikiNodes isn't just a search engine. It is an app that searches the web for content (think text, pictures, video) on a selected topic. The results are displayed as links and you can refine your search by clicking on your desired content and following the links that generates. Amazing research tool and one I wish I had access to when I was in school.
Paid iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wikinodes/id433834594?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Video Star allows users to create their own music videos with themselves as the Stars. There are lots of effects - green screen capabilities and more and the music stays in sync with the action. This app is very popular with the teens in my life.
Free iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/video-star/id438596432?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Free iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/video-star/id438596432?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Scan is a QR code reader. I use QR codes for activities such as a Math Photo Hunt (take a picture of a repeating pattern, for example) or a Scavenger Hunt. Students love this type of activity and student engagement during math will increase. Promote inquiry, problem-solving and reasoning skills. Plus. have them scan and interact with the increasing number of QR codes posted in the real world.
Paid iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scan/id411206394?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Paid iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scan/id411206394?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Free Android Phone app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.scan.android.scan
Paid Mac program: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scan-qr-code-barcode-reader/id722364523?mt=12
Use this site to create your own Treasure Hunts using QR codes. This site guides you through the process and generates the codes so you can cut, paste, post or share with your children. I use this for Scavenger Hunts, Photo Hunts, for engaging children or for sharing important information. Or, encourage your students to create their own "secret messages".
Website: http://www.classtools.net/QR/
Puppet Pals is an tool that allows users to create their own puppet shows. Choose from templates or create your own art for backgrounds or characters. Photos can also be added. Record your voice and movement on the stage and export your puppet show as a movie to the camera roll. This is a very popular app for my students and would appeal to all ages.
Free iPad app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/puppet-pals-hd/id342076546?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
GarageBand is an easy app to use and allows students to record their voices and add music. They can create anything from podcasts to math raps or create the background audio to add to a slideshow of images or movie clip. Create original lyrics and songs that can be exported to an iPod with this app.
Paid iPad app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/garageband/id408709785?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Free iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/garageband/id408709785?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Paid iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/garageband/id408709785?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Paid Mac program: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/garageband/id408980954?mt=12&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Comic Life allows your child to create their own comic strip or graphic novel. The can import photos or original artwork, add effects, captions, balloons and publish as a PDF or ePub book. I use this often with my students. It is an easy app to learn and very popular as a writing and publishing tool.
Paid iPad app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/comic-life/id432537882?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Paid iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/comic-life/id432537882?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Paid Mac program: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/comic-life-2/id402508085?mt=12&uo=4&at=10l6SU
You can use this app (which is essentially an interactive whiteboard) to draw, annotate, add video, images, audio and create a variety of presentations. Have a Grade 1 student take a photo of their pattern and explain how it grows. have a grade 7 student explain the steps of solving an algebraic equation. I use this app all the time. Your child's work can be exported in the camera roll and shared.
Paid iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id431493086?mt=8&at=10l6SU
Paid iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id431493086?mt=8&at=10l6SU
Free Android Phone app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.explaineverything.explaineverything
Free Android Tablet app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.explaineverything.explaineverything
Google Chrome app: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/explain-everything/abgfnbfplmdnhfnonljpllnfcobfebag
StoryRobe is a tool for creating stories and self-expression using your own media. Combine photos and voice and export to the camera roll or YouTube. You can also have threaded stories and you can create a family narrative of the past or a vacation with contributions from everyone.
Paid iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/storyrobe/id337670615?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Animation Desk is an app that allows users to draw and animate and then create animated figures, storyboards, e-cards, or short-length animated movies. A great app that allows you to be as creative as you can be.
Free iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/animation-desk-for-ipad-lite/id470899893?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Paid iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/animation-desk-for-ipad/id409124087?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Free iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/animation-desk-for-iphone/id470904177?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Paid iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/animation-desk-for-iphone/id448938192?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Paid Mac program: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/animation-desk/id550931710?l=zh&mt=12&uo=4&at=10l6SU
iThought or iThoughtHD (for the iPad) is a mind mapping tool. Brainstorm ideas for projects, stories and other events. Add details, links and other details then share. Your ideas are organized and ready for you to act on.
Paid iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ithought/id428851075?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
This app will allow you to work with a blog. Update posts, add photos and add content to an existing blog or use this app to create one.
Free iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/posts/id529566288?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Start with a picture, video, image or document and then add text or voice to create a conversation. Share this thread with others and the conversation becomes collaborative and dynamic. I see this being used to record family narratives around special events such as a vacation or wedding. It could also be used to create the memory recordings of grandparents and older relatives.
Google Chrome app: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gajclnhcflhoicggnpmgkedchldikjgn
Free iPad app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/voicethread/id465159110?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Free iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/voicethread/id465159110?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Website: http://voicethread.com/
This app is geared towards early learners and helps your child learn how to create grammatically correct sentences. SentenceBuilder allows users to work with words, punctuation, pronunciation, sentences and grammar. This app will allow original images and audio to be added. The app is designed to be self-paced and is an excellent alternative to worksheets or workbooks.
Paid iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sentencebuilder-for-ipad/id364197515?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
I love the art this app creates. Type a sentence and then draw with your finger. The sentence becomes your brush. Try it with a line of poetry or a single phrase to create unique and visually appealing images.
Paid iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/typedrawing-for-ipad-v3.0/id372350676?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Paid iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/typedrawing-v3.0/id314072879?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
SoundCloud is an online site that allows you to search and explore original music and audio clips. There are a wide range of clips - my favourites are the sounds from space submitted by astronaut Chris Hadfield. Have your child download the sounds or audio clips and create backgrounds for movies, slideshows or add to media projects. A wonderful resource.
Website: https://soundcloud.com/
Google Chrome app: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/soundcloud/ipebkipbeggmmkjjljenoblnfaenambp
Use creative commons search for images and other medial that have been licensed for sharing. A great resource that your child can use to find images for projects that will not violate copyright or intellectual property rights.
Website: http://search.creativecommons.org/
This is a free app that turns your device into a microphone - easier to use than GarageBand and Audacity for recording voices (perhaps a radio play).
Free iPhone app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microphone-+-recording/id486796173?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU
Free iPad app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microphone-+-recording/id486796173?mt=8&uo=4&at=10l6SU