Recommended apps:
Science 360 for iPad by the National Science Foundation Cost: Free (no ads) Size: 14.2MB Age: 4+
Education Category: Instructive/Reference
This app is a virtual reference library of photos images, diagrams and video footage of a variety of science topics. The video links connect to news items relating to the image, these can be as diverse as pollution, medical advances or nutrition information. The app is not specifically made for children, but a useful resource. Many of the images are fascinating to look at simply as images; the resource could also be used when looking for information on specific group science projects.
Usability: This app is suitable for individual or peer support, or group project work.
Education Category: Instructive/Reference
This app is a virtual reference library of photos images, diagrams and video footage of a variety of science topics. The video links connect to news items relating to the image, these can be as diverse as pollution, medical advances or nutrition information. The app is not specifically made for children, but a useful resource. Many of the images are fascinating to look at simply as images; the resource could also be used when looking for information on specific group science projects.
Usability: This app is suitable for individual or peer support, or group project work.
Maths apps:
Grandpa's Workshop by Fairlady Media Cost: $1.99 Size: 44.3MB Age: Made for 6-8
Education Classification: Instructive
This app was reviewed, and included in the 'Maths' category. The app involves simple games: putting a broken item back together;
selecting the odd one out; dividing a board into sections; comparing the length of a board to a measuring tape. The user is also invited to paint a virtual shelf. While this app uses typical drill-and-practise style interaction, there is some explanation for correct or incorrect answers. For example,when the board is divided into even lengths, each length is numbered. When an incorrect choice is made, a suggestion to "look closely" is given.
Usability: Suitable for independent learning.
Education Classification: Instructive
This app was reviewed, and included in the 'Maths' category. The app involves simple games: putting a broken item back together;
selecting the odd one out; dividing a board into sections; comparing the length of a board to a measuring tape. The user is also invited to paint a virtual shelf. While this app uses typical drill-and-practise style interaction, there is some explanation for correct or incorrect answers. For example,when the board is divided into even lengths, each length is numbered. When an incorrect choice is made, a suggestion to "look closely" is given.
Usability: Suitable for independent learning.
Bugs and Buttons 2 by Little Bit Studio Cost: Free Size: 306 MB Age: Made for under 5s
Education Classification: Instructive
Apparently this is 'App of the Week'! This app has slick graphics and is visually very appealing and some of the machines have a rather steampunk appearance. There are 18 games in all; some of the games are maths related and involve sorting, one-to-one correspondence, numeral recognition, matching pairs. Other games seem to be more focused using the touch screen and performing actions like the swipe motion, drag and place. The insects are purely decorative, they are components in some of the games but there is not much science involved. The game involving kind of squishing the ants is not really compatible with teaching children that the natural world is full of wonder and should be treated with care and respect.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration
Education Classification: Instructive
Apparently this is 'App of the Week'! This app has slick graphics and is visually very appealing and some of the machines have a rather steampunk appearance. There are 18 games in all; some of the games are maths related and involve sorting, one-to-one correspondence, numeral recognition, matching pairs. Other games seem to be more focused using the touch screen and performing actions like the swipe motion, drag and place. The insects are purely decorative, they are components in some of the games but there is not much science involved. The game involving kind of squishing the ants is not really compatible with teaching children that the natural world is full of wonder and should be treated with care and respect.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration
Other:
Sago Mini Forest Flyer by Sago Sago Cost: $1.99 Size: 40.1MB Age: Made for under 5s Education Classification: Manipulable
This app is essentially a virtual exploration toy. The user is invited to touch and move an animated cartoon-like bird character around a colourful forest background and interact with different creatures hidden in various locations. There is not particular science involved in this app beyond identifying creatures like birds, and frogs. As an introductory iPad app for very young children it is more open-ended than the Buttons and Bugs app, but the aim of the game seems to be little more than a respond-to-touch amusement.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration.
This app is essentially a virtual exploration toy. The user is invited to touch and move an animated cartoon-like bird character around a colourful forest background and interact with different creatures hidden in various locations. There is not particular science involved in this app beyond identifying creatures like birds, and frogs. As an introductory iPad app for very young children it is more open-ended than the Buttons and Bugs app, but the aim of the game seems to be little more than a respond-to-touch amusement.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration.
Mini Sago Bug Builder by Sago Sago Cost: free Size: 40.2 Age: Made for under 5s Education Classification: Manipulable
Another virtual exploration toy. In this app the user is invited to decorate a creature, hatch it from an egg, dress it, feed it and tidy it up, the take its photo. Then the creature lays an egg and the process can start again. This app may promote creativity to an extent and has potential as an introductory app for young children using iPads for the first time.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration.
Another virtual exploration toy. In this app the user is invited to decorate a creature, hatch it from an egg, dress it, feed it and tidy it up, the take its photo. Then the creature lays an egg and the process can start again. This app may promote creativity to an extent and has potential as an introductory app for young children using iPads for the first time.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration.