"The Strange and Wonderful World of Ants" App for iPad

This image is a screenshot from the fascinating iPad app “Strange and Wonderful World of Ants” by Amos Latteier with drawings by Melinda Matson. When the call went out from @ktenkely on Twitter for English and Science teachers to review this beautifully produced childrens ’book’ for the iPad, I jumped at the chance. This unique application has three reading levels, suitable from 7 year olds to adults and information to inspire the most curious insect lovers. A quirky little ant character, E.O. Ant (presumably named after the famous American biologist and ant expert, E.O. Wilson) appears on each page with an informative and humorous commentary.

At the beginners level, the app introduces the life of different types of ants and their relationships with aphids, fungus and each other. The advanced level discusses phermones, symbiotic relationships, the bivouac and trophallaxis, providing excellent examples and descriptions of concepts. My 11 year old daughter, who read the intermediate level, enjoyed the close-up, black and white drawings and learnt about some of the unusual ant behaviours. It was more difficult to get any feedback from my 13 year old son (you know teenagers!) but he seemed to like it, although I doubt it would be something he would install of his own accord. As a teacher of middle years science, this would be a great app to promote scientific literacy in the classroom and to engage students in project about insects. Students always bring their own knowledge and experiences to the classroom and I can imagine this app kick-starting discussions about ants that carry 50 times their own body weight, how they smell when you squash them and why they start running around before rain.

The app also has a message to readers about how humans could learn a lot from the way ants co-operate, create and communicate with each other. I would love to see more educational apps like this, and will be recommending this one to our librarian, although we are still waiting for the Apple bulk purchase discounts for school use in Australia. Congratulations to Amos Latteier and Melinda Matson for an excellent addition to the list of educational apps with a difference.

Play First, Work Later

When you bring out math manipulatives you let the kids play with them a bit so that later they can focus on the work of learning with the tool. That was my intent with our new iPads and netbooks. I have lots of ideas I want my students to try out but first I thought I'd let them play. They did ask nicely, after all. :)

I was also curious as to the apps they would gravitate to on their own. At first I was a bit surprised to see kids going to YouTube and Safari. I mean, they could do that on my iMacs. Many were content with YouTube in all of my five classes. Most did try out some apps. Doodle Buddy was a huge hit (Draw Free was popular but I saw more kids use Doodle Buddy). Rush Hour as well. I even got hooked! The chess app was quite popular. Meanderthal made kids curious but the iPads can't take pictures so they couldn't try it out. A few kids checked out Animals HD and the HD Marine Life App. I even had a few kids write a blog! Two were blogs about the iPads and one was actually the current assignment! Here are some of the kids' blogs on the iPads: iPads and Netbooks, The iPads, New iPads, and here's a blog with a Poll Daddy poll and a second student tried it too (it was extremely easy!).

What an awesome play experience! Here are the results of a Google Form asking kids which apps they liked the best.

Here's a video of their first day of play:

Kid Recorder - Show #38

Grade Level: Toddler / Kindergarten

Program Functionality: A / Works as advertised.

Purpose: B / There is some potential here for future thought but I have to admit that I am confused by the choice of the barn with the animals used. Didn't know a turtle really had a sound either!

Overall Educational Value: C+ / There is some potential here but they just haven't hit the mark completely.

Cost: $0.99

Recommendation: We are recommending this app for personal use as my kids liked hearing their voice etc. I was intrigued by how I could record their thoughts on the animals as well. I just can't recommend it for schools at this time.

Creators Website: http://www.gpapps.com

ITunes Link: Click Here

Hey, check out our Ning (Online Community) devoted to helping teachers utilize these devices to the their fullest.

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Animal Sounds on the Farm - Show #19

Program Functionality: A / Worked as advertised.

Purpose: B / Little ones can easily use this application as it is intended! Perhaps you can get a few more animals in the app beyond 6. The problem is that this would take away from the functionality of the app as the designer is going for.

Overall Educational Value: B / This has been a favorite of our 1 1/2 year old and she has them memorized.

Cost: $0.99

Recommendation: We recommend this app for personal use but not for schools.

Creators Website: http://www.cleveriphoneapps.com

ITunes Link: Click Here

Hey, check out our Ning (Online Community) devoted to helping teachers utilize these devices to the their fullest.

iPhone Applications now available on iTunes.com! Shop Now! and iTunes Gifts