Recommended apps:
Monster Physics. Dan Russell-Pinson. Category: Kids
Cost: $0.99 Size: 44.4MB Age: Made for 9-11 year olds Education classification: Constructive/ Manipulable
This app is a virtual construction set that uses physical principles of gravity, motion, magnetism and balance to construct virtual mechanical devices. the user creates a monster creature and builds different kinds of machines. The user has the option of playing through mission levels, they begin with a tutorial level and increase in difficulty; all the levels are accessible so that other challenges can be attempted even if previous ones have not been achieved. The alternative is to devise mechanisms and machines of ones own. Although this app is aimed at older children, the app would also suit preschool aged children.
Usability: The instructions are written text, so that some teacher support is needed. Suitable for individual exploration, peer supported learning and group learning project.
Cost: $0.99 Size: 44.4MB Age: Made for 9-11 year olds Education classification: Constructive/ Manipulable
This app is a virtual construction set that uses physical principles of gravity, motion, magnetism and balance to construct virtual mechanical devices. the user creates a monster creature and builds different kinds of machines. The user has the option of playing through mission levels, they begin with a tutorial level and increase in difficulty; all the levels are accessible so that other challenges can be attempted even if previous ones have not been achieved. The alternative is to devise mechanisms and machines of ones own. Although this app is aimed at older children, the app would also suit preschool aged children.
Usability: The instructions are written text, so that some teacher support is needed. Suitable for individual exploration, peer supported learning and group learning project.
Finger Physics HD by Press OK Category: Games Size: 37.5MB Cost: $2.99 Age: 4+
Education classification: Constructive/ Manipulable
This game app is not specifically designed for children, nor is it specifically 'educational'. It is a construction puzzle that utilises the physical principles of gravity, magnetism, buoyancy, shape and balance. The user must stack a selection of virtual block shapes to construct a stable structure that maintains its stability for five seconds. The blocks are in a variety of shapes- square, rectangular, circular, triangular and star shaped. Some of the blocks have special properties: they can act as magnets, attracting opposites and repelling likes; There are blocks that explode, some that pivot and some that float! There are numerous stages (32 in all) beginning with a tutorial level and becoming progressively more challenging. All puzzle levels are accessible without having to complete previous stages.
Usability: Suitable for independent and peer supported learning. Teacher support and monitoring needed as the game can be linked to a games centre where scores are shared; this feature is optional.
Education classification: Constructive/ Manipulable
This game app is not specifically designed for children, nor is it specifically 'educational'. It is a construction puzzle that utilises the physical principles of gravity, magnetism, buoyancy, shape and balance. The user must stack a selection of virtual block shapes to construct a stable structure that maintains its stability for five seconds. The blocks are in a variety of shapes- square, rectangular, circular, triangular and star shaped. Some of the blocks have special properties: they can act as magnets, attracting opposites and repelling likes; There are blocks that explode, some that pivot and some that float! There are numerous stages (32 in all) beginning with a tutorial level and becoming progressively more challenging. All puzzle levels are accessible without having to complete previous stages.
Usability: Suitable for independent and peer supported learning. Teacher support and monitoring needed as the game can be linked to a games centre where scores are shared; this feature is optional.
Tinker Box By Autodesk Inc. Category: Games Size:92.3MB Cost: Free Age: 4+ Education Classification: Constructive
Similar to Monster Physics but not specifically designed for children. This is an open-ended construction game based with Meccano-like components which can be built into machines of various kinds; the elements operate according to basic principles of physics: gravity, motion, inertia, levers, pendulums. The game consists of a puzzle level, where the user moves through a series of challenges from a tutorial level through progressive stages, and a free play level where the user can build their own machines.
Usability: The app is suitable for individual and peer supported exploration; there is minimal text, the beginner levels guide the user visually as to the best way to place elements. The puzzles are quite challenging and each challenge must be completed before the next is unlocked; this makes a good follow on to Monster Physics.
Similar to Monster Physics but not specifically designed for children. This is an open-ended construction game based with Meccano-like components which can be built into machines of various kinds; the elements operate according to basic principles of physics: gravity, motion, inertia, levers, pendulums. The game consists of a puzzle level, where the user moves through a series of challenges from a tutorial level through progressive stages, and a free play level where the user can build their own machines.
Usability: The app is suitable for individual and peer supported exploration; there is minimal text, the beginner levels guide the user visually as to the best way to place elements. The puzzles are quite challenging and each challenge must be completed before the next is unlocked; this makes a good follow on to Monster Physics.
How it Works: Machines by Geek Kids Category: Kids Size: 37.MB Price: $1.99 Age: Made for 6-8 year olds Education Classification: Instructive
This simply designed app features interactive diagram models of common motorised machines: a car, a vacuum cleaner, a washing machine. The models fit together like a puzzle; once complete the diagram an be animated to demonstrate the mechanisms. The diagrams are simple line drawings, clearly labelled and illustrative of function.
This simply designed app features interactive diagram models of common motorised machines: a car, a vacuum cleaner, a washing machine. The models fit together like a puzzle; once complete the diagram an be animated to demonstrate the mechanisms. The diagrams are simple line drawings, clearly labelled and illustrative of function.
Acrobots by Vectorpark.com Category: Education Size: 1.1MB Price: $0.99 Age: 4+ Education Classification: Constructive
This intriguing little app involves joining together animated creatures with suction-cup legs. The creatures behave in different ways depending on the level of gravity, number of legs (from none up to five), the stickiness of the suction pads, and other changeable factors. The creatures also respond touch and the iPad's accelerometer. The app is simple, yet fascinating to watch.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration.
This intriguing little app involves joining together animated creatures with suction-cup legs. The creatures behave in different ways depending on the level of gravity, number of legs (from none up to five), the stickiness of the suction pads, and other changeable factors. The creatures also respond touch and the iPad's accelerometer. The app is simple, yet fascinating to watch.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration.
Bobo explores Light by Game College Category: Education Size: 240MB Price: $2.99 Age: Made for 9-11 Education Classification: Instructive/Reference
This is a nicely finished app full of information about the various aspects of light. The little robot companion, Bobo, is engaging and navigating the app is straightforward. The information is in the form of interactive features, text, photographic images and video footage (the videos of lightening strike and aurora are perhaps the most interesting); unfortunately there is a lot of text with no voiceover so that younger children would find that less interesting. The interactive features are more interesting providing opportunities to experiment with coloured light, reflect lasers, and grow plants. The inventor, Thomas Edison is featured as an inventor who invented the lightbulb, but the information is perhaps a little biased (the app states that Edison invented batteries, whereas more accurately he invented a type of battery)
Usability: Suitable for teacher supported learning and exploration, as there is a large quantity of text-based information.
This is a nicely finished app full of information about the various aspects of light. The little robot companion, Bobo, is engaging and navigating the app is straightforward. The information is in the form of interactive features, text, photographic images and video footage (the videos of lightening strike and aurora are perhaps the most interesting); unfortunately there is a lot of text with no voiceover so that younger children would find that less interesting. The interactive features are more interesting providing opportunities to experiment with coloured light, reflect lasers, and grow plants. The inventor, Thomas Edison is featured as an inventor who invented the lightbulb, but the information is perhaps a little biased (the app states that Edison invented batteries, whereas more accurately he invented a type of battery)
Usability: Suitable for teacher supported learning and exploration, as there is a large quantity of text-based information.
Rocket Science 101 by NASA Category: Education Size: 34MB Price: Free Age: 4+ Education classification: Instructive
Yes, this IS rocket science. The app involves assembling a number of rockets using a puzzle format; the accurate model diagrams of rockets used by NASA in their space exploration programs. The assembled rockets can then be launched into space.
Usability: Suitable for group investigation; teacher support needed to access the information about each rocket which is primarily text-based.
Yes, this IS rocket science. The app involves assembling a number of rockets using a puzzle format; the accurate model diagrams of rockets used by NASA in their space exploration programs. The assembled rockets can then be launched into space.
Usability: Suitable for group investigation; teacher support needed to access the information about each rocket which is primarily text-based.
Sid the Science Kid- Sid's slide to the side by Mindshapes Limited Category: Kids Size: 127MB Cost: $2.99 Age: Made for under 5s Education Classification: Instructive
Sid is an animated character who, along with his friends and teacher, explore different scientific principles. This app is one of a series and is based on a television program. In this particular app Sid explores the concept of friction. Sid discovers that his new shoes don't slide as well as his old ones, setting up a problem that needs solving. The positives are that Sid and his friends are portrayed as science investigators, a problem is posed and the characters are involved in investigation, experimentation and problem solving. Science is shown in a positive light. There is also real-life video images of an actual experiment involving friction.
Usability: This app is suitable for individual exploration but might also make a starting point for a group investigation.
Sid is an animated character who, along with his friends and teacher, explore different scientific principles. This app is one of a series and is based on a television program. In this particular app Sid explores the concept of friction. Sid discovers that his new shoes don't slide as well as his old ones, setting up a problem that needs solving. The positives are that Sid and his friends are portrayed as science investigators, a problem is posed and the characters are involved in investigation, experimentation and problem solving. Science is shown in a positive light. There is also real-life video images of an actual experiment involving friction.
Usability: This app is suitable for individual exploration but might also make a starting point for a group investigation.