Mobile App Development Blog - Rapidsoft: education apps

Showing posts with label education apps. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Attractive YouTube Channels of Fun Science for Kids

Amazingly, YouTube has become a good source of educational materials. We have been using YouTube more and more for fun learning materials. We shared 6 YouTube Channels for Hands-on Science Experiments You Can Do at Home. Today we share YouTube channels of fun science facts, explanations, and news.

Bill Nye: although the channel has not been updated for couple years, the content already there is enough for kids to explore. I like that the video titles tell you exactly what the videos are about, making it easy to look around.

SciShow: It is a great collection of science videos of different topics: historical science figures, science news, science talk show, science quizzes, most asked science questions. The topics they cover are simply fascinating.

SpanglerScienceTV: from Steve Spangler, this channel has a ton of fun science facts, experiments, and more. Unlike his other YouTube channel, most of experiments here need special equipment and safety measures, so it is safer to watch him do them in videos.

(Also See: Tips for Developing a Successful Educational App )

asapScience: a fun site using fun drawings to explain various interesting topics from science point of view. The topics they cover are either questions people have always been asking, or things you never thought about before, like How old are your ears? Can video games make you smarter? Can you be scared to death? Most topics are kids safe. The only one I noticed that may not be kids appropriate is Can science improve your sex life? Even this one is strictly science with no inappropriate visual.

LabofOrnithology: if you like birds, you will love this channel. It is established by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, an institute conducting research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. You will find many amazing videos about different birds.

BrainCraft: hosted by Vanessa Hill for PBS Digital Studios, BrainCraft explains why we act the way we do, using psychology and neuroscience. You will find topics like How movies control your brain? How exercise can improve your memory?

ScienceBob: does all kinds of cool science experiments. Most are not safe to do at home, so it is better to watch them on video.

Minute Physics: explaining science in a similar style as asapScience, but all topics are around physics. You will find topics like What is gravity? Is it better to walk or run in the rain? How an airplane is made? It thrives to explain science in the simplest way, and it does a good job in that aspect, so it is a great channel for kids of all ages.

Minute Earth: from the same creator of Minute Physics, but all topics are about our planet. Do you know Where did the water on Earth come from? Why is all sand the same?

Periodic Videos: all things chemistry. You will find a video about each element on the periodic table. There are new videos every week about science news, interesting molecules and other stuff from the world of chemistry.

Best of Science: A fun science channel covers a wide variety of science topics: physics, space, nature, chemistry, and more.

National Geographic: As their magazine, the YouTube channel covers many natural science videos.

Fizzics Education is a science outreach organization in Australia. They share their outreach efforts and science activities they do.

DNews: science news and exploration from Discovery. It is not designed for kids, so there will be videos that are not appropriate for young children. But many videos are kids friendly.

NASA: every thing is space related, from This Week at NASA, to Space to Ground, to ISS Expeditions.

Enjoy!

Source: http://igamemom.com/2015/02/21/youtube-channels-of-fun-science-for-kids/

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

6 Storytelling Apps That Get English Language Learners Talking

Educations Apps - Here are a few digital storytelling tools to help get your ELLs talking.

Kid in Story Book MakerKid in Story Book Maker
(Elementary)
Kids use green screen-like technology to put photos of themselves (or others) into a story template, then add text and voice recording. In-app templates focus on social stories, like visiting a new place, getting a haircut, or holidays. For ELLs, the templates offer a useful foundation for building social language skills. Plus, the app’s voice recording feature offers low-stakes speaking practice since kids can record themselves talking, then can listen and re-record as many times as they want.

Tell About ThisTell About This
(Elementary)
This versatile pre-writing or publishing tool is easy for young storytellers to use. Dozens of photos sorted into categories including culture, people, family and fun, serve as inspiration for prompts. Kids can tell stories using the in-app recording feature. Teachers can also create custom prompts with their own images and voice. Giving ELLs a safe space to tell stories about their lives and experiences validates their unique contributions to the class community.

Shadow Puppet EDUShadowPuppet Edu
(Elementary/Middle)
Students can create impressive video slideshows using research resources built right into the app. They can capture screengrabs from an interactive map, safely search for images from the Web and access image archives from trusted sources like the Library of Congress. Kids put the slides in order, add text, music and narration, and then export the final project as a video file. Shadow Puppet Edu supports ELLs in developing academic vocabulary in both collaborative groups and independently. Students can use it to review new concepts, present research, track progress, explain their thinking and more.

(Also see: 5 Best Apps for English Language Learners)

ToontasticToontastic
(Elementary/Middle)
This all-time favorite app teaches kids how to organize and present story ideas through cartoons. It employs a “Story Arc” with five sequential scenes to guide story structure (setup, conflict, challenge, climax and resolution). Kids move characters around each scene as they record narration and dialogue. For ELLs, Toontastic can be an invaluable tool for building writing skills or practicing story analysis. Students can storyboard a piece of original writing or a story they read in class, and then bring it to life with fun settings and quirky characters.

Voice ThreadVoiceThread
(Elementary/Middle/High)
Students or teachers can create and share media projects that incorporate video, image, voice, or even drawings. Once posted, projects can be open to text, voice or video comments from a select group or from all VoiceThread members. It’s a natural fit for a range of student presentations and projects such as explaining research or retelling a story with original artwork. Alternately, teachers can create a VoiceThread to solicit student commentary. For ELLs who sometimes are hesitant to speak up in class, VoiceThread gives them a chance to thoughtfully craft their presentations or comments and contribute their ideas with confidence.
(Also see: 5 Best Android Camera Apps)

Expain EverythingExplain Everything
(Middle/High)
This formidable tool is like a superhero version of PowerPoint. Users can import photos, PDF files, movies and more from many sources to use in a presentation. Students can learn how to present information using multiple forms of expression (images, text, video and audio) through digital technology. Students can edit the audio in their presentations, which gives ELLs a chance to self-assess and revise before presenting to their peers and teacher. Plus, allowing students to create multimedia presentations can take some of the focus off the speaking task, and can give creative, tech-savvy students a chance to shine.

Source: http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/08/31/6-storytelling-apps-that-get-english-language-learners-talking/