Tech EDGE
Tech EDGE Mobile Learning in the Classroom Review
Tech EDGE Podcast Catalog is accessable through their YouTube channel, Tech EDGE. Tech EDGE is a resourceful source for teachers that are wanting to integrate unique apps into their classroom setting. Tech EDGE provides teachers with technology information and apps that are classroom friendly and will provide knowledge to students based on several different academic subjects and components. Through Tech EDGE, I have already found a number of apps that I would love to use in my future classroom. Below, are three apps that I have downloaded on my own iPad and found helpful in learning different life skills, such as problem-solving, and in learning academic content. On Tech EDGE's YouTube Channel, there is hundreds of videos to watch, regarding technology information, websites to use as a teacher, and apps for either yourself or your students. In todays society, education is veering towards a one-to-one ratio for students having access to technology. The apps and websites Tech EDGE provides information on would be great tools to download on iPads that students may have access to in the future classroom setting. Overall, as an educator, I would highly suggest to my colleagues that they should take advantage of the many tools technology has offered to us. One of those amazing tools, Tech EDGE.
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Click here for access to Tech EDGE's YouTube channel!
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Todo Math
Todo Math is one of the many apps Tech EDGE discusses on their YouTube channel. Todo Math is an app for students in the elementary school classroom setting. The purpose of this app is to help students develop this math skills in several different subjects. These subjects include time, money, counting, number operations, geometry, and mathematical reasoning. When students first enter the app, the are given the option to click daily adventure, mission, or free choice. If students click on daily adventure, they are brought to a page where they will complete an adventure that will take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes. The adventures start out easier, but as the days go on, the adventures start to get a little more challenging. If students click on mission, they will be doing a mission where the app has already generated what the student will be performing. As a student complete missions, they earn badges that have a blue start on them. Furthermore, if students click on free choice, they are given the option to choice whatever math skill that would like to work on. For instance, if a student is struggling to understand time and money, there is a category underneath free choice that allows students to choose from four games that work on counting and money skills. This app would be a great tool to use during free time or math centers. It is very academic oriented and would keep students on task because it allows them to learn skills they need to understand and master through fun, entertaining games. This app is for grade appropriate for lower elementary school students. Kindergarteners, first graders, and second graders would all get great use out of Todo Math. After the using app for some time, I have not found any cons to the app. I am in love with this app and suggest it to any lower elementary school teacher. Furthermore, Todo Math is a free app for apple users. Take advantage of the wonderful tools that are free to use in the classroom setting that will help make learning more enjoyable for elementary students. For access to Todo Math in the AppStore, click here.
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Sim City Build It
Sim City Build It is another app that Tech EDGE suggests using in the classroom setting. The purpose of this app is to build a city that keeps it's sims happy, healthy, and safe. Sim City Build It is an app for students that allows them to work on their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In the app, students are entered into a virtual world where they are in control of building a city that has problems just like in the real world. Students have to worry about trash, sewage, water systems, electric, and many more aspects that are needed to have a happy city. When the town grows, students have to understand that roads may need to be increased in size to decrease traffic. Furthermore, students will have to build police stations to prevent crimes, fire stations to prevent fires, and health clinics to keep their sims healthy. Moreover, as a students city grows, they are able to create transportation places, elementary schools, high schools, and so much more! This app could be used in the classroom setting to teach students about problem-solving, or to teach them about economics, geography, or math skills. Moreover, this app could be used to teach students how to earn money and to make sure not to go bankrupt. Sim City Build It is grade appropriate for higher elementary students. Fourth grade and fifth grade students would benefit the most from this app since it is more challenging to understand than several other apps Tech EDGE offers teachers to implement into the classroom setting. The downfall to this app, is that students could get distracted easily on what they are trying to focus on academic wise. Students may start playing the game for fun with no intention to learn academic sills. It is the teachers job to make sure that his or her students are staying on task when using this app. Sim City Build It is free to users, so take advantage of such a great tool that one can implement into their classroom setting! For access to Sim City Build It in the AppStore, click here.
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Properties of Matter--Pirate Adventure
Properties of Matter--Pirate Adventure is a third app that I found interesting and useful on Tech EDGE's YouTube Channel. Pirate Adventure is an app for students to learn properties of matter through fun games and exercises. The purpose of this app is to teach students properties of matter. The different properties of matter include solids, liquids, gasses, and the different weights of objects and what they are made out of. When students click into this app, they are brought to a page where they will begin on island one, and work their way to island five. On island one, students are supposed to put different boat items in three separate treasure chests. After students put all of the items into one of the chests, they are supposed to answer as to why they put certain items together. On island two, students are supposed to balance the boat evenly by placing items based on their weight equally on both sides of the ship. On island three, students feed the monkeys based off of their needs. For example, the first monkey needed an item that was solid. The only item that was solid that was an option was a popsicle. Furthermore, on island three you can turn water into ice by changing its property of matter. On island four, students have to get a first aide kit to the parrot by placing correct objects on the ground. As an example, students should place items that won't melt on a hot, lava surface, rather than wood that would burn from the lava. Finally, on island five, students get to decorate their parrot with different clothing items using the coins they collected from the other four islands. Moreover, in between each island, students are asked if certain objects would sink of float. For instance, a pirates hat will sink, but a treasure chest will float. Pirate Adventure is an age appropriate app for middle elementary school students. Second and third graders would benefit most from this app. The only con that I have found when using this game, is that it may become frustrating to students who don't understand what the game is asking them to do. For instance, on island three, a monkey wanted boiling water to cook his vegetable. However, there was not an option of water to choose from and when you boil an object is doesn't show it actually boiling. This may be challenging and confusing to students using this app on their own without the help of a teacher. Properties of Matter--Pirate Adventure is yet another free app for apple users. For access to Properties of Matter--Pirate Adventure in the AppStore, click here.
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