Butterfly HD

Butterfly HD

by Sprout Labs

About a month ago Applicable2U was introduced to those at Sprout Labs. A development group interested in exposing elementary students to those things living in your own backyard. Earlier this year, they launched Plants HD which guides budding botanists to developing their understanding of the life cycle of a plant. As of late, Sprout Labs is once again making science happen at the palm of your hands with their recent launch of Butterfly HD. This educational app is designed for those with an iPad running iOS 4.3 or later. With a quality WIFI connection, see one of the most beautiful transformations of life through text, videos and photos. Does your life science unit need some improving? Are you a school district or classroom environment leading towards mobile devices for learning? Worried that you might not be meeting standards or benchmarks while integrating technology? When implementing those educational apps from Sprout Labs, these questions and concerns are all put to ease as it meets Common Core State Standards and the needs of different learning domains.

As you “play to learn” with your mobile device, see one of the most beautiful day-flying insects, a butterfly, evolve from an  egg – caterpillar – chrysalis – and finally a butterfly. Like Plants HD, upon entering this life science application, each stage of a butterflies life is a link to a wealth of information.  To put your educator’s mind at ease, click the “scholar’s hat” in the upper right hand corner.  This is an added feature with their recent launch, indicating how this educational app correlates to state science standards for those in Kindergarten to Grade 2.  In addition, it also shares how the Common Core State Standards are met in Reading for Informational Text, Craft and Structure, Integration of Knowledge and Ideas, and Range of Reading and Level Text Complexity for K-5.

Butterfly HD is a very professional looking, easy to navigate application.  What Applicable2U loves about the applications from Sprout Labs is their ability to meet all learning styles.  Children learn effectively when material is presented in a particular hierarchy or learning domain.  This hierarchy is called Bloom’s Taxonomy.  Bloom’s Taxonomy is much like the food chain in its design, a triangle.  Each level of the triangle represents a level of thinking that as teachers we want our students to progress.  The lowest three levels are: knowledge, comprehension, and application.  While the highest three levels are: analysis, synthesis and evaluation.  As your child reads, listens, answers and witnesses science through the application of Butterfly HD, this hierarchy of learning will be present.

Some might compare Butterfly HD like a textbook and can be presented in a variety of formats: individually, in small or large groups. This will depend on the number of devices available and the needs of your students.  Each stage of the life cycle is presented in a similar manner.  On one side of the page is the informational content which shares a few lines of text or paragraphs at a time.  Information that is to be introduced or reinforced can be read in two ways, by the reader themselves or narrated for them.  If choosing to have it read, an underlining feature will appear line by line.  To the left of the text are pictorial flashcards representing that stage of the butterflies life cycle for deeper connections and reinforcement.  At the bottom of the page, developers have included a “Did You Know?” scrolling feature of WOW or interesting facts.  You will be amazed at what your child(ren) will recall and share after they have explored.  In addition to the scrolling flashcards, a digital camera of images is also included which gives an even more up close and personal connection to the life cycle of a butterfly.  Taking it one step further, educational videos are also available.

At the completion of each stage put your knowledge to the test by simply clicking the “pop quiz” button in the upper left hand corner.  Questions have been organized based on Bloom’s Taxonomy of learning.  With each correct answer, users are rewarded with a coin.  As a certain amount of coins have been earned, a new level of learning is unlocked.  Of course, as levels are unlocked, questions will become more challenging.   While playing in the pop quiz mode, Applicable2U wondered how the results would be shared.  By going through all stages of Bloom’s Taxonomy, users are given the number of correct questions out of a total.  Depending on the results will determine of a follow up is necessary.  A note to the developers – is it possible to design some kind of a progress report which indicates which level/question of Bloom’s Taxonomy the user struggled the most with?

Overall, Applicable2U would give Butterfly HD two thumbs up!  If you have an elementary student, then this educational app is applicable to you.  It’s time to clear out the shelves of the old hardcover science textbooks and replace it with the newer mobile version.  If you would like to learn more about Sprout Labs, please visit their website here.  For $1.99, you too can alter your life science unit or enhance your child’s love of learning with Butterfly HD by simplyclicking here.

Reviewers website: www.applicable2u.wordpress.com

Plants HD

Name: Plants HD

Fee or Free: 1.99 at time of review

Rated: 4.5/5 stars

Plants HD is an app developed by Sprout Labs that is designed to teach students about the life cycle of a plant.  Through in-depth subsections, and interactive quizzes students are guided on an informational journey from seeds to pollination to fruit.  The developers are to be commended for the kid friendly interface, and the great graphics.  The details included in each section are well written, and appropriate for 3-5 grade.  

To download this app, follow this link.

Murky Reef Lite - Grade 1-2 Reading, Science and Math

 Murky Reef Lite

by Frolyc

As the instructional technology specialist for my building, grades 3-5, I am constantly questioning myself and those that I collaborate with. A common question that I find myself asking, “is the approach or unit/lesson “true” technology integration which will meet a variety of curriculum standards?”  Good integration can occur in a variety of ways, the latest being the impact that the mobile market as on education.  Through our PLN (professional learning network) via Twitter, Murky Reef Lite by developers Frolyc came highly recommended and Applicable2U needed to know if in fact it was applicable to you.  Designed for those with an iPad device running iOS 4.3 or later, downloaders (parents/educators) and aquatic learners will find this cross-curricular app very engaging as it enhances ones thinking skills and implements a variety of 21st century skills. Without even realizing it, this educational app has seamlessly incorporated a multitude of age appropriate skills and academic areas into one.

Frolyc is a proud member of Moms with Apps, a collaborative group of family-friendly developers.  As stated on their website, Frolyc aimes to create apps that will put users to the test as they learn through questioning, exploring and yes, even frolicking in unusual places.  Murky Reef was built with Bloom’s Taxonomy in mind, which means as your child or students use this application,  they will be building their knowledge of the ocean, supported for comprehension, encouraged to analyze and to apply their knowledge through a number of activities.  We were very impressed with their informative website and the process that was put in place when creating Murky Reef – both versions: lite and the in-app upgrade for $3.99.  With so many states moving towards a new set of standards, the Common Core Standards, educators will be pleased to see that their children’s “gaming” will in fact meet some of the math and language arts standards for children ages 4-10.

Put your scuba gear on as your elementary student will be introduced to a various sea life creatures in the imaginary waters of Murky Reef.  Through the use of very clear and concise tutorials, pictorial supports, pleasurable characters, animation and sound effects, ones curiosity will be sparked.  Unlike most “lite” versions, Murky Reef does in fact provide users with a good amount of content.  The lite version will give users access to 6 cross curricular areas: Number Sense, Spot Rhyming Words, Greater Than, “Not In” Letter, Addition 1-10 and a comprehension quiz.  However, in the full upgrade, users will be given a total of 22 games as it builds on vocabulary, sight words, word synthesis, number patterns and sentence structure/composition to name just a few.  Regardless of which version is downloaded to your mobile device, along with interactive graphics and audio,  users will also have access to informative text and safe videos as they explore such science topics as: the coral reef ecosystem, habitat and prey/predator relationships, and an introduction to sharks, pufferfish, cleaner fish and many more.

While scouring the murky seas, your objective is to stop Ogee, the unfriendly Shark.  With each level completed, players will earn fish rewards that can be manipulated in “creature play” mode.  With 18 different sea creatures to collect, their fish tank will be filled with the schools of fish that they have saved.  To learn more about those schools saved, drag them over your submarine and a pop up textbox will appear. A note to the developers –  since this is an educational app for children as young as 4, might it be possible to include a reading option of this informational text if the application is being used independently.  As the “Attack” and “Creature” modes are designed for the players, developers have also included a little something for parents and/or educators.  With a simple tap of our four-eyed turtle friend in the lower right hand corner, parents and educators will have access to a very detailed report of how a user is doing.  Reports will share the number of attempts made in each “Attack” mode and the percentage of correct answers.  In addition, it will provide a break down of skills based on: comprehension, logical reasoning, language arts and math. Another suggestion for a future update might be to put a lock mode on our turtle friend as this information is most important to the parents and/or educator  as it can guide them for future instruction and support.

Applicable2U was very impressed with our Twitter find and would definitely give it a five star rating.  Making cross curricular connections in multiple platforms and educational environments is critical.  Those questioning whether to implement a 1:1 iPad pilot program or even to purchase for personal home usage need to see the educational connections that developers like Frolyc are making.  If you would like to learn more about Frolyc, please visit theirwebsite here.  To begin exploring Murky Reef Lite, simply click here to access via your iTunes library.  However, if interested in the full version, simply click here.

Reviewers website: www.applicable2u.wordpress.com

Review of Cell and Cell Structure by Kathy Burdick

Name of App: Cell and Cell Structure by Punflay
Free or Fee: 1.99 when reviewed
Rating: 5/5 stars

Punflay continues to be one of our very favorite developers. You can count on their apps to be engaging, interactive and developmentally appropriate. This holds true for one of their newer releases, Cell and Cell Structure. This app is an essential app for high school and university level life science classes. Right from the opening screen with its live action screen of blood cells this app compels students to explore. Upon touching About Cell the student is presented with three options: All About Cells, Interactive Activities, and Videos. All About Cells gives students strong images and explanations around everything from What is a Cell to the Benefits of Multicellular Organisms. Under Interactive Activities students can participate in word searches, flashcards, and quizzes. There are four videos that show both animal and plant cells and the action of mitosis in each. As has become the standard with apps from Punflay, the graphics are outstanding. This is one of the few apps that we give a 5 star rating! A true bargain for 1.99.

Visit Mobile iEducator for more reviews!

Review of Introducing Planet Earth by Kathy Burdick

Name of App: Introducing Planet Earth (LAZ Reader)

Free or Fee: Free!

Rating: 4/5 stars

Why I like it: Introducing Planet Earth is reading and science wrapped into one. LAZ uses this reader to help students connect to prior knowledge about planet Earth as well as a lesson on main idea and details (www.learninga-z.com). However, this app could also be used as a science lesson. The nonfiction book offers information about seasons, day and night, longitude and latitude, axis, tilt and the equator with the planet Earth as the narrator. Students can use this book to begin investigating the characteristics of planet Earth. After learning about Earth, students could then learn about another planet (in groups) then compare and contrast Earth to the other planets. The artwork is fun and the facts are presented in a way that makes it easy to understand. I also love the “Try This!” page that gets students up and moving around! There is a lot of information provided in this book so may be best to break it up into chunks instead of reading it all at once. Introducing Planet Earth can become part of a unit or can stand on its own. This app is brimming with options for the classroom!

Visit Kathy's website for more tips on using apps in the classroom!

Review of SimplePhysics by Kathy Burdick

Name of App: SimplePhysics

Free or Fee: Free! (For a limited time)

Rating: 5/5 stars

Why I like it: SimplePhysics is a fun way to explore the great world of physics! It is composed of levels and each level has the user building a structure using a blueprint design that must hold a pre-determined amount of weight. Once the structure is built, it is put to the test by slowly adding the weight. If the structure does not collapse, the user moves onto the next level, otherwise, modifications need to be made until the structure can support the weight. For an adding twist, each bar added to the structure cost money and the user must stay under budget. If the cost exceeds the budget for the given level, the cost tracker turns red and bars must be removed to bring the cost within budget. The two most helpful options to use while building the structures are:

1. Finger test- allows the user to place force on parts of the structure to see how stable it is.

2. Colored bars- the building bars go from blue to green and as weight is added areas that are under stress turn red. This allows user to see areas of weakness within the structure.

3. Email- send your blueprint structure to friends/teacher/parents to show them what you have come up with- or for assistance.

SimplePhysics is a great accompaniment to students learning about Newton’s Laws. Students can work individually or in teams to come up with solutions to building the structures then email them to teacher. Students/teams can make predictions about which type of structure will be the most sturdy and why. They can also compare their various trials to help identify which type of structure is better. Prizes could even be awarded to the individual or team that completes all the levels or the fewest attempts made per level. Allow students to apply their physics knowledge by using SimplePhysics!

Visit Kathy's website for more tips on using apps in the classroom!

Lumi's Book of Eyes by Applicable2U

 Lumi’s Book of Eyes
   by Zephyr Games

  Come play with Lumi as he goes on an “eye” spy adventure with a variety of animals.  Originally designed as a hardcover book by author Jr M.D. Robert Abel.  Lumi’s Book of Eyes was recently launched for your apple device at the end of June.  This educational app will provide your preschool to pre-kindergartner a few new ways to “look” at creatures that they may see in the sky, on land or just in books. Did you know that dragonflies have 30 thousand lenses in each eye? This is just one of the new facts your little one might share at the next family gathering. With new found facts also comes a wonderful message at the end for all children.

Easily navigated for the youngest of fingers, Lumi’s Book of Eyes offers both a storybook option and mini game. While reading the storybook, user options can be altered.  For example, in the top left hand corner is a blue speaker.  By simply tapping the speaker, users can scroll through three reading options.  By providing this option, readers of all levels can feel successful.  For the younger children, set it to speaker only.  The focus here is on Lumi and having the ability to interact with various parts of each page with a few taps here and there.  To extend a users independence, Applicable2U might suggest having the green triangle flash or even enlarge, indicating that it is time to turn the page.  For those just learning to read, set the reading option to speaker with text. Within this mode, a scroll box is added at the bottom of each page, allowing up and coming readers the ability to follow along. In a future update, it might be nice to see words being highlighted as Lumi is reading.  Finally, the third reading option is for the reader to read to Lumi.  This mode offers language development, reinforcement of sight words and the ability to be in the spotlight for those listening.  Regardless of which reading option your little one chooses, Lumi’s Book of Eyes exposes the user to animals as it relates the importance of their eyes and the connection between human eyes with a little twist.

Not interested in starting with the storybook, jump right into the mini game – Eye Spy.  Within a magnifying glass, Lumi will show a small object, your job is to decide if what you are looking at is an eye or not.  With very clear directions, users will be timed as they answer the question “is this an eye?” Simply tap the yes or no at the bottom of the screen.  With every right answer, additional time will be added to the clock. In terms of feedback, users will be provided both positive and negative feedback.  Lumi will verbally reward as well as correct answers will flash green and incorrect answers will flash red.  The only addition that we see being added to this mini game is naming each object as it expands outside of the magnifying glass.  It would be great to either hear what each object is and in addition even see the word somewhere on the screen.  This would encourage further language development skills of all types of readers.

Overall, Applicable2U is pleased with their recent download of Lumi’s Book of Eyes.  If you would like to learn more about Zephyr Games, please visit their website here.  As I am sure in the early elementary years, the study of the eye is a part of the science curriculum.  It might be interesting to begin this unit of study with this interactive book application and have children extend the book to additional animals of the world.  Set the challenge of researching a particular animal and their eye and present their findings to the class as an “added” page to this newly found book.  If you would like to begin downloading Lumi’s Book of Eyes to your iTunes library, simply click here.

Reviewers website: www.applicable2u.wordpress.com