Thing 15: App-palooza!

Okay, apps...  I have devices, but the problem is that at this point, the school does not.  Many (if not most) of our students don't either.  Still I will take a look.  I do know that WorldBook online has an app that I have let our students know about, as do many of the eBook options (OverDrive, FollettShelf, etc.) and our Library Catalog, DestinyQuest.  (Does anyone listen when I go over these things?  Does anyone read about them at home?)  I do like the GoogleDoc idea with the QR codes.  (Not that I've really delved into the whole QR code thing because they seem more difficult on my Android device than other people's iPhones.  Maybe when I get my new device they will be easier?!)  I could link it off my website.  I also got the link to Shannon McClintock Miller's elementary website.  I like to get ideas and links by looking at other people's.

I was glad to see that Kathy Schrocks Bloomin’ Apps were not just limited to iDevice or Android apps, but included Web 2.0 sites.  I also think that looking at the apps she classifies for the different taxonomies might help me with defining how my lessons address the different skills as well.  Sometimes I am not sure what to classify something as.  Maybe it is just because I didn't go through the "normal" process to become a teacher, but lesson/project creation seems easy while writing a lesson plan is painful.  Of course, this list will be also helpful as a reference of sites.

I was surprised not to see Google Apps for Education.  I know that our Technology Committee is getting at least one tablet with it to take a look.  Our elementary school has no tablets at this point.  We will be playing with it to try to decide a direction to take.

Okay, I just learned how to make QR codes.  I will definitely make one of these "Library in My Pocket" pages for my school.  I'm going to try to make posters and handouts for Open House, too.  I have successfully made QR codes for the district homepage and for my library website.  Here is my websites:

I like that the goo.gl page saves the shortened URLs and QR codes you make.  The only disappointment is that you can't put a name on it.  You have to read the long url to make sense of the shortened one.

As far as using apps goes, I look forward to getting my new phone.  (Maybe Tuesday, cross your fingers!)  My current droid is so old that it is not supported by many apps now.  I'm also hoping that my circulation app will actually scan barcodes soon.  iPhone users have been able to use the FollettDestiny app to check out books, but Android users have not.  Hopefully the update will come soon.

Too bad the Apps for Education blog is all about iPad apps.  iPads are SO expensive.  As I said, it is likely our school will go Android if we jump in at all.  The AASL Best Apps for Teaching & Learning 2013 list would be more useful if it were separated by or searchable by platform, too.  Anyone know of an Android list?  I found a list at http://www.teachthought.com/technology/the-best-education-apps-for-android/, but it is not organized by subject or grade or anything, limiting its usefulness.  Another list is at http://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-apps-teachers-tutors-teaching-88110/.  It also is not organized in any way, though I didn't know about some of the apps that were listed.

That is all for now...