ShowMe App for iPad Review by Melinda Waffle

App Title: ShowMe App (for iPad)

Grade Level: any

Purpose: A

The ShowMe App allows the user to record annotations along with voice right on the iPad, esentially turning the iPad into an interactive, recordable "whiteboard."  Either a blank canvas or pictures found on the iPad can be used for the base of the annotations.  When the user finishes recording, he/she has the option of uploading it into an account at the ShowMe website either publicly (anybody can find it visiting the site) or privately (viewers need the url of the presentation). 

Program Functionality: A

This was one of the easiest apps I've ever used.  In less than 2 minutes after loading the app on my iPad, I had created a sample annotation, created a new account at ShowMe, saved the recording to that account, and viewed/shared the recording on the web.  Seriously, LESS THAN 2 MINUTES!  I don't know that it could be easier to use than that. 

Currently there are just some basic annotation buttons (pen, eraser, clear board, add picture, change color) in addition to the reocord and upload buttons, but the simplicity is what makes it so easy to use.  The pause button allows you to change the background, do new setup or load a new picture during the recording.  Since everything is symbolic, even young students can pick it up and create a recording without any teaching (my 6 year old created a hilarious picture with explanation recorded in less than 10 minutes).

Overall Educational Value: A

Cost: Currently Free! 

Recommendation:

I can see so many potential uses for this in the classroom! For teachers: instantly & on the fly create tutorials, directions, troubleshoot common problems, and project directions that include audio & notes so they meet multiple learning styles.  For students: create how-to projects, ask quetions, explain math problems, diagram a map, draw a diagram, and so many more!

iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/showme-interactive-whiteboard/id445066279?mt=8 

App Website: http://www.showmeapp.com/ 

Hey, check out our Ning (Online Community) devoted to helping teachers utilize these devices to the their fullest.  Please leave a comment if you agree, disagree, or have other creative uses for this app in the classroom, etc. 

Review Name: Melinda Waffle

Cross-posted at my personal blog http://wafflebytes.blogspot.com.

Making Movies w/ iPad just jumped in Quality! Big Time - Collabracam

You come across apps that take something to another level and you have to say ... "WOW"! Collabracam just did that for me. This app has some amazing possibilities!

http://collabracam.com/

Directly from the Collabracam website, "CollabraCam provides a quick, easy and fun way to shoot and simultaneously edit video from multiple cameras on-the-fly using iPhones, iPod Touches and now iPad 2. CollabraCam's patent pending technology links iOS devices running the app over local Wi-Fi to create a video switching and communication control room with a simple, yet powerful, live video editing workflow previously only available to professionals.

You and your crew will produce exciting, dynamic videos with minimal post-production. As the director, you can view, record and edit from up to four live-streaming iOS cameras in real-time while also having the ability to silently cue the operators of standby or recording cameras to perform pan, track, dolly or tilt camera moves or request a high or low angle."

Here is a terrible example video and some screenshots. 

Notice the ability to give directions to your camera people!

Math Snacks

App Title: Math Snacks

Grade Level: 6, 7, & 8

Cost: Free

Purpose: A (Animated videos that address various mathematical concepts)

Math Snacks were developed by NMSU’s Media Productions (New Mexico State University) and tested in the Learning Games Lab. They are a series of short, animated videos (3 minutes - 10 minutes) designed to help middle school students understand various mathematical concepts.

Program Functionality: A

These animated videos can be downloaded to the iPod Touch or viewed online. You can also download the version that includes subtitles, which may be helpful for those students who are visual learners. The videos are easy to navigate and load quickly.

Overall Educational Value: A

These videos explain a mathematical concept in an entertaining and engaging way that is appealing to middle schoolers. They can be used on a mobile device such as an iPod Touch or can be viewed online directly from the website. Each video has an accompanying pdf guide for both the student and teacher. These can assist the learner even more in applying their understanding of the presented topic.

Recommendation:

I recommend this app for both classroom and personal use at this time. With the application  being free, it is an appealing choice for students, parents, and educators. It is also nice to see that the learning can be extending for learners by providing subtitles and pdf guides for each video.

Classroom Use Examples / Ideas: This application can easily be assimilated into the classroom as a way for students to see the mathematical concept in a visual and entertaining way.

The following animated videos are available at this time: (descriptions taken from Math Snacks).

* Scale Ella (10 minutes 32 seconds) A crusading superhero clarifies and uses scale factor.
* Bad Date (3 minutes 27 seconds) This humorous animation visualizes the ratio of words spoken on a series of dates.
* Overruled (5 minutes 52 seconds) Rulers value proper units & proportional details.
* Atlantean Dodgeball (5 minutes 27 seconds) Ratio errors confuse one of the coaches in an epic dodgeball tournament.
* Number Rights (3 minutes 10 seconds) A passionate activist clarifies equality on a number line.

Developer Website: Math Snacks

iTunes Link: Math Snacks

Reviewer Name: Cheryl Lykowski

Storykit and more apps by students at Foresthills Elementary School

App Review: Animoto

App Title: Animoto Videos

Grade Level: 3-12 and Higher Education

Cost: Free

Introduction/Background of App

Animoto is an application that brings the functionality of Animoto online to the iPhone. Animoto’s functionality is in the ability to take photos and video that the user specifies, add a music soundtrack ,which can be from their open source music library or music uploaded by the user, to create a movie complete with transitions. The iPhone app is free and available through the app store. Animoto online allows for the creation of 30 second videos for free and educators are able to apply for an all access pass. Additionally there is a professional version available as well. Pricing and features can be found at http://Animoto.com/pricing


Description of App functionality

The Animoto iPhone App allows you to create your movies directly from your iPhone. Images and videos can be selected from those stored on the iPhone, the soundtrack can be selected from the Animoto music library, and the movie can be rendered all on the mobile device. Additionally, videos can be synced with your Animoto account and downloaded so they can be viewed offline on your mobile device. Each time the video is rendered it is different through the remix feature. Additionally, individual photos can be “spotlighted” and have more attention paid to that image in the video. Text can be added to images and the movies can be shared and downloaded.

Here is an example of an Animoto video I created that I share with my students at the beginning of a class.

Classroom Use/ Examples /Ideas
Educators can have additional access to Animoto. Teachers can apply for an educator account at Animoto for Education which gives teachers full access to Animoto for free.

Their education website provides a number of case studies of how teachers have used Animoto for instruction.

I have seen Animoto used in education in two ways.

First, it is a great way to have students in an online class introduce themselves. Students are able to choose the images they would like to share as well as select their music. This provides a window to the students when they get to choose how to express themselves. I also include my own Animoto movie, as seen above,  to introduce myself to my students so they can get to know me as well. The result of using this easy to use tool has been that it has helped to build community in the online class and establish a rapport between me and my students. Here is a link to an assignment prompt, created by Shelley Rodrigo, Ph.D. and Susan K. Miller-Cochran, Ph.D., for having students create their introductions using Animoto.

Second, a colleague of mine has used Animoto for students to develop presentations. Using images and text they are able to convey ideas and their knowledge. The Business faculty member gave students an assignment to develop a 30 second movie (of course without audio words) to describe what NAFTA means to them. The result showed a thorough understanding of the legislation in a concise manner. By having to scour the Internet to find the best images to convey their thoughts and knowledge, students were able to truly express their understanding. Additionally, students had a sense of pride in the movie they created.

Developer website: http://animoto.com/developer

Reviewer Name: Lisa C. Young

Reviewer Blog: http://lcbyoung-scc.squarespace.com/

The 30 Best iPhone Apps for Art Teachers - Crosspost from TheTeachingPalette.com

Crossposted from The Teaching Palette by Theresa McGee ... Check out http://theteachingpalette.com/2009/08/03/30-best-iphone-apps-for-art-teachers/

August 3, 2009

Since the launch of the iTunes App Store in July 2008, over 1 billion apps have been downloaded for use on the iTouch and iPhone. Currently, the App Store has 63,000 apps to choose from and it is no surprise that many of the iPhone/iTouch applications have educational value. Over the last few weeks, we sorted through our favorites to create The Teaching Palette’s Best Apps for Art Teachers, along with some tips and suggested uses.

1. Love Art-Natl Gallery London This is an absolutely beautiful museum app that integrates audio and video presentations based on the collections in the museum. A great learning tool containing snapshots of a wide range of art history.
2. Brushes Familiar with the New Yorker Cover that was created using an iPhone app? It was created with the Brushes painting app and tops our list. Easy to use beginning with the very young. Watch a speed portrait here.
3. TypeDrawing Draw with text. This fun app uses a single letter or phrase as the drawing tool. A completely new way of drawing (and thinking about drawing). See some examples in thisFlickr pool.
4. TanZen Familiar with Tangrams? This app combines math and art concepts together. Move, rotate, and flip shapes to form a larger image. Great for improving spatial intelligence.
5. Art (Lite version) This art history game features five famous artists. Can you identify which artist created each work of art? Master this app, then upgrade to the paid version of Art. Another nice feature of this app is the option to load images into your photo gallery for use in other applications.
6. Art2Go This app is an engaging and useful presentation of 19th and early 20th century artists and their work using audio commentary. Useful for all grade levels and art backgrounds.
7. Color Splash This is an extremely simple app to use with some amazing effects. Teach the principle of emphasis by isolating a single image in color while the remainder of the photograph stands in black and white. See how easy this app is to use in this video tutorial.
8. Animoto Near identical to the traditional web-based version, Animoto coordinates your images to the beat of music. Great for artist presentations or student portfolios. Completed presentations can be downloaded or emailed.
9. FlipBook (Lite version) This is one of the best animation apps available. Features allow for replication of images and transparency effects to see previous slide. Click here for a guided tour of the app.
10. PixPop Art - This is a challenging and very fun detail detective game. Utilizing fine art, detail images line the right side of the screen while you search for the match. Work in competition mode timing yourself or work at your own pace in Zen mode.

1. 3D gallery Be a curator of your own museum. Enter this 3-D room and rearrange the paintings or choose your own images from photo gallery. This would be a great tool to display artwork created throughout the year or to focus on an art time period or genre. Note: There is currently no “save” feature, but if you click your on/off button at the same time as the menu button, you can create a screenshot that saves in photos on the camera roll.
2. Comic Touch (Lite version) Add some humor to art historical images or commentary to student artwork with this single pane comic creator. Save to photo library or email. Upgrade to the paid version of Comic Touch and get interesting special effects and fonts. Watch an intro video here.
3. Life Strips This is a great tool for creating comic strips. Utilizes a wide variety of comic strip templates and speech bubbles. Add photos and utilize filters to for adding special effects. Even add a Google map!
4. Light Painting Have you ever created a photographic light painting? While standard flashlights and LED lights work fine, this app offers additional light features otherwise hard to replicate. Use these tips and tricks to get started.
5. Open Culture - Find a nice group of audio and video podcasts from well known art museums in the “ideas and culture” category. The same category also contains animated New Yorker cartoons.
6. AP Mobile Create a search for “Art” and get the latest news articles from around the world. Useful app for older students to reflect on culture and current events.
7. Jazz Sculptor Utilize a wide variety of virtual materials and textures to carve a sculpture from a variety of forms. Rotate image to view at a 360 degree angle. Nice exercise to understand the subtractive carving process. See the Jazz Sculptor gallery for inspiration.
8. ScuptMaster3D Create three-dimensional art using a variety of colors with this virtual material that appears inspired by Henry Moore. Great way to introduce and reinforce positive and negative space concepts. View this video tutorial for an overview.
9. Architect Envi Deluxe - This app organizes architecture by building name, architect, or century created. It is presented in a slide-show format with the option to learn more about the building and save in the camera roll for use/manipulation in other applications. Yet, the best feature of this app is the option to view each architectural structure in Google Maps.
10. Color Sudoku Forget the numbers - this is Sudoku in color! Game has a different levels of difficulty and color schemes.

1. Eyetricks This app has a nice collection of optical illusions. Good for early finishers or as intro to an OP Art unit.
2. Color Wheel -This color wheel uses advanced color theory concepts to reinforce color understanding. Useful interactive app for older students.
3. Brooklyn Museum Tour the collection of art at the Brooklyn Museum. ”Randomize” is a nice feature to view artwork you might otherwise miss.
4. Symmetry Useful tool for teaching symmetry to younger students. Watch thisvideo for a quick demo.
5. MovieMaker This is a great tool for creating stop-motion animations and time-lapse movies. Since it requires the camera on an iPhone, this app is perhaps most useful as an extension for students who have access to iPhone technology.
6. PotteryWheel While this is certainly not a a replacement for the hands-on wheel throwing experience, this pottery wheel gives the basic idea of the cause and effect.
7. Artist’s Touch This app requires little artistic talent but is useful when teaching about abstract art. Non-objective to representational- reveal your image using a variety of textures and paint tools.Be sure to watch video tutorial to get started.
8. Google Earth This is a great app to integrate geographic locations of artists or cultures. Watch this video tutorial to get started.
9. Gallery of Painters Contains alarge collection of artists that can be searched alphabetically, by century, or nationality. View basic information or link directly to Wikipedia for detail information. Useful for research.
10. Juxtaposer and Juxtaposer Lite This is a fun tool for teaching about Surrealism.Reinforce juxtaposition by taking a photo of your classroom and a selecting objects from a second photo to create a Magritte-like composition. Watch this video review to see what this app can do.

Ok . . so now what? Here are some additional tips and considerations to start using the apps:

• Not all the apps are free, but once purchased, an app can be used on multiple iTouch’s with no additional charge.
• Most schools do not have access to multiple iTouch’s (yet). But even just one iTouch can be used as an extension for an early finisher or projected on a screen for the entire class to view using a document camera.
• Some students may have access to a personal iTouch or even a parent’s iPhone. Create a recommended app list for these students to try out at home. You could even tie it into an extra credit option.
• Use it yourself to create your own art or brush up on art history.
• Find useful tips, reviews, and connect with other educators using apps in education at IEAR.org

What are your favorite apps for art education?   Comment here or at their original post ... Crossposted from The Teaching Palette by Theresa McGee ... Check out http://theteachingpalette.com/2009/08/03/30-best-iphone-apps-for-art-teachers/