Review of the St. Matthew's Core Apps by Function
The following list of apps is organized by function. Those described in detail make up the Core Apps(*), and others listed in the same category are those that one might explore further based on level of interest. The school will provide all Core Apps that are not free.
Beyond the St. Matthew's Core Apps, students, parents and teachers can request that others be added as optional apps for the student iPads. Together with the Core Apps, these optional apps help to make up the complete List of Approved Apps for the school.
Beyond the St. Matthew's Core Apps, students, parents and teachers can request that others be added as optional apps for the student iPads. Together with the Core Apps, these optional apps help to make up the complete List of Approved Apps for the school.
| Function | Apps |
| Reading | Subtext:* Subtext takes the concept of reading an ebook and moves it from a personal activity to a group activity. See this video about Subtext in the Classroom for a better understanding of how to use the app. All of the same features found in Kindle and iBooks are also available in Subtext. Additionally, teachers can start discussions, give quizzes and polls, insert hyperlinks, video and graphics, directly inside the book. Teachers can also see up to what point in the book all of their students have read. iBooks:* Apple's own ereader app, can open books from the iBooks store, any ePub books, and PDF files. iBooks allows you to bookmark, highlight and take notes on iBooks files. iBooks can sync between iDevices (iPad, iPhone). |
| Writing | Pages:* Pages is the de facto word processor for the iPad. With it you can write basic reports, but you can also combine text, graphics and some basic desktop publishing features. When synced with iCloud, you can work on these documents on the iPad and any Mac computer with Pages installed. Google Drive:* Google Drive App for the iPad allows you to connect directly to your Google documents. You can create and edit word processing documents, spreadsheets and view presentations on the iPad. |
| Presentations | Keynote:* Keynote for the iPad is very similar to the desktop version. Students use this app to create presentations including text, images, video, voice and other audio clips, animations and transitions. Keynote can be displayed on the classroom projector for whole group presentations. |
| Note taking |
Notability:* This app allows you to create notes using finger/stylus, typed text, audio clips, and pictures. Notes can be organized into notebooks, and shared via email, dropbox, and other sharing tools. You can also insert PDF files for annotation into Notability. Evernote:* Evernote is a cloud-based note taking app. Once you sign up for a free account, you can create and edit notes from your iPad, iPhone, or computer. You can also log into the Evernote web site to access your notes directly on the web. Evernote differs from Notability in that you cannot write with your finger or stylus. It is strictly a text-based note taking tool. Other note taking apps: Penultimate, Ghostwriter, Notes Plus. |
| Research and Reference | Safari:* Using the built-in web browser for the iPad, you can search the internet as you would on the computer. Keep in mind that flash-based web sites are not visible through Safari. Wikipanion:* Wikipanion is an app that works directly with the wikipedia web site. Internet access is required to view articles in Wikipanion. |
| Concept Mapping |
Popplet:* This concept mapping app allows you to build graphical maps using text, pictures, lines and arrows. This app is very similar to Inspiration, which also has an iPad app in development. Other concept mapping apps: iThoughts HD, MindNode |
| Digital Storytelling | iBooks author: This application from Apple is currently available only the Mac. Those familiar with Pages or Keynote will find the tools in iBooks Author to be very similar, and will quickly adapt to this authoring environment. Using iBooks Author, you can create interactive ebooks that can then be uploaded for viewing in iBooks on the iPad or iPhone. Pictures, videos, audio clips and even 3D objects can be inserted in the ebook. Creative Book Builder:* With this app you can create your own book directly on the iPad, including text, graphics, photos, audio, and more. You can also embed documents, from Google Docs, Keynote and other file types. You can export your book in ePub format or PDF, and share out via Dropbox. Book Creator:* Another good book building app for the iPad with features similar to Creative Book Builder. Other digital storytelling apps: MyStory, Toontastic, Puppet Pals, Comic Life |
| Photography and Photo Editing | iPhoto:* There are a number of iPad apps for photo editing, with many specializing in specific features, such as stylistic filters, text layers, and graphical elements. iPhoto is a comprehensive photo editing app with a number of different touch-up tools, and filters. Other photo editing apps: Adobe Photoshop Touch, Snapseed, Color Splash, Luminance, Photogene. |
| Drawing/Painting | Drawing Pad:* This app is a very basic drawing tool, with brushes, pens, colored pencils, crayons, markers and stamps. You can share the finished art work to your photo library or send via email. Other drawing and painting apps: Sketchbook Pro, Brushes, LiveSketch HD, iDraw. |
| Video and Music Editing | iMovie:* Using the built-in iPad camera, you can shoot and edit video using iMovie. Like the desktop version, iMovie for iPad has transitions, themes, soundtracks, text overlays, and templates for movie trailers. Garageband:* Garageband on the iPad provides the necessary tools for mixing music, creating audio tracks, and playing a variety of instruments. |
| Special Purpose Tools and Curriculum Specific Apps |
Explain Everything:* Explain Everything is an easy-to-use design tool that lets you annotate, animate, and narrate explanations and presentations. You can create dynamic interactive lessons, activities, assessments, and tutorials using Explain Everything's flexible and integrated design. Use Explain Everything as an interactive whiteboard using the iPad video display. Screen Chomp:* Screen Chomp is a screen capture utility with draw tools, audio recording and the ability to insert photos from the photo library. Students can use this app to demonstrate their understanding of particular concepts through voice annotation and illustration. Screen Chomp files are stored automatically on servers and links to them can be shared via email. Socrative: The Socrative app allows students to give live feedback to the teacher during class. Like more conventional clicker systems, teachers can post a question to which students respond via the iPad. All responses can be tallied and viewed together. Socrative student app*, Socrative teacher app.* Vermier Video Physics*: In the 8th grade Science curriculum, students will use this app to explore the concepts of velocity, acceleration and more using their own video footage of a moving object. iTalk Recorder*: Used primarily in foreign language classes, but applicable in other curricular areas as well, iTalk Recorder allows students to record their voices, and playback to check for fluency. Romeo & Juliet*: This app, from the Shakespeare in Bits series, is for use in the 8th grade English curriculum. It is an interactive guide to the play, unabridged text, animations, interactive glossary and explanation of phrases and terms, and more. Algebra 1*: This app from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is the full textbook for the Algebra 1 course. It includes video lessons taught by the author, animated problem solving, interactive graphics, a scratch pad for student problem solving, and built-in quizzes. Rjenda*: The Rjenda app provides access to the student's Rjenda account, to view assignments and assessments, and review the Must Do and May Do lists. Grammar Up*: Grammar quiz app for 8th grade English. Grammar App HD*: Grammar app for 6th and 7th grade English. |
