Ipad Apps for FREE or almost free in Education

Ipad Apps for free in Education:

For my last posting for Web 2.0, I decided to jump on board with Sharon and share some great apps that I have found useful for education.  I have been a long time user of an iPod Touch and within the past month a proud owner of an iPad 2.  I have found some great educational resources that are available for use on the iPad and they are FREE or under a dollar!

Doodle Buddy – This is a great FREE application that allows the user to use their paint, draw, scribble or sketch.  I use this application with my son for him to practice writing his spelling words for each week.  He love that he is able to change the color and erase any mistakes.  This has countless uses within the classroom.

ABC’s and Me – This FREE application works on pre-reading skills and pre-math skills.  This is an application that I use with my 3 ½ year old son who is learning is alphabet.  This is a great application that reviews letters, numbers, shapes, colors, common objects in your environment and types of food.

BrainPop – This is a great resource that can be utilized in the classroom.  I currently use BrainPop Jr. as I teach in a primary elementary school (K-2).  This FREE application allows the user to view a featured movie of the week.  This application is still in it’s beginning phases so it only offers a few movies on the iPad, but being an avid user of BrainPop Jr., I am sure that there will be more to come!

Math Ninja – Not that I really like the fighting aspect in educational activities, but I do find this application quite entertaining and very useful.  My older son really enjoys the story line of the game.  “Use a combination of action, strategy, and quick wit to defend your treehouse against a hungry tomato and his robotic army!"  (Retrieved from  on April 21, 2011:  http://www.connectwithyourteens.net/2010/06/math-ninja-iphoneipad-app-for-tweens.html)

Pages – Pages is an application that does go against my free or under a dollar category.  Pages is a word processing application that is very user friendly and Word compatible.  Knowing that I would be using my iPad for many word processing options, I found this to be a great and very reasonable purchase!  Pages - $9.99

Here are just a few of the apps that I enjoy using.  Please feel free to share your favorites and I will continue to update my must have Apps to use in education.

Open Source and Free Online Options:

Wordle & Tagxedo

www.wordle.net

www.tagxedo.com

Both Wordle and Tagxedo take a collection of words, articles, speeches, slogans and places them into an elaborate word cloud.  The difference between Wordle and Tagxedo is that when using Wordle, a word cloud is created placing each word in an undefined cloud.  Tagxedo allows the user to place the words into a predetermined shape.  If your desired shape is not within the library, a new shape can be added.

Tagxedo Picture Retrieved on April 17, 2011 from:  http://glma.wordpress.com/2010/08/21/tagxedo-for-well-dressed-word-clouds/

Wordle Picture Retrieved on April 17, 2011 from:  http://glma.wordpress.com/2010/08/21/tagxedo-for-well-dressed-word-clouds/