3 Powerful Apps for All Teachers

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iPad apps are often a dime a dozen in that they have limited functions and often require teachers to sort through endless apps that essentially do the same thing. Then, after an app is found, a teacher quickly finds out all that it can't do. So, we're often left with the choice between adapting our teaching to the tool or spending more time finding a new tool.

Apps & software that are extremely flexible are always my first choice since I want the tool to support me not the other way around. If that app is flexible and fast, it goes on the shortlist. For this post, I'm sharing three go-to's when it comes to teacher apps that support instruction. These guys are super flexible, fast, and something I use/used on a daily basis.

If you use any of these apps, please comment below on how you use them in your classroom.

Baiboard

Want the ultimate hands free whiteboard solution? Baiboard is about as close as you can get right now. This app when used in conjunction with Reflector on your computer makes your iPad a wireless whiteboard that has the capability to write, draw, type text, and manipulate shapes which will display on your board using your projector. Plus, you can export your drawings, notes, etc. to a .pdf which can be posted or mailed to students for use later on. 

Baiboard works great if you start with a .pdf file or a picture of something as the background. You can draw over the top, highlight, circle, etc. It is very effective for giving instructions or providing clarification to students (and their parents). I used to project a document from my doc cam onto the whiteboard and then write on top of it to point out mistakes, show examples, etc. Baiboard lets me do that while walking around the classroom. I can take a picture of students' work at their desks and correct it on the board without ever getting near the whiteboard itself. 

And did I mention it is collaborative? Baiboard lets kids work on a whiteboard simultaneously via a "meet" which is great for group work or just having one teacher iPad and one student iPad this is passed from student to student during a discussion or activity. It makes it very easy to share and show work during discussions, brainstorming, or mind-mapping activities.  

Check out the video tutorial to learn more. 

Skitch

Skitch is very similar to Baiboard. It allows the teacher to take a picture of a document and annotate over the top. It exports and saves like Baiboard but lacks the collaboration features and some of the more advanced shapes functions. So why use it over Baiboard? I have three reasons:

1. Skitch's biggest bonus is that it exports directly to Evernote. So if you already use Evernote for yourself or your class, you can export your Skitch files as notes that will be saved in Evernote and can be assigned tags or timers. This is great for keeping track of notes, discussions, or instructions in an extremely organized fashion. 

2. Skitch's simplicity is also a big bonus. Limited options mean there is a greater focus on graphics that stand out. Skitch can be quicker if you plan on using it sparingly in class. Plus, its big colorful shapes, arrows, and checks can't be missed even by students in the back of the room. 

3. Pixelate - Yes, like on TV. Skitch allows teachers to pixelate over names or other personal information which means I can use student work regularly as exemplars on the board/projector without worrying about student privacy issues. 

Check out this video tutorial. 

ScreenChomp

Yet another awesome app from the guys that developed Coach's Eye, Jing, and Camtasia; ScreenChomp is an app for creating video tutorials. So, if you have been using Skitch and Baiboard to help you give instructions, tell kids how to watch out for common mistakes, etc., ScreenChomp will take it a step further. You can add audio and make the narrated notes available for students to access later during school or at home. 

ScreenChomp provides teachers a way to make instructional videos to explain concepts, give notes, or provide differentiated instruction for the "already meets" and "does not meet" kids. It works great for students who regularly receive support services through another teacher/para and need to hear instructions/explanations multiple times.  In a classroom, it provides a vehicle for teachers to split the class into groups and have each group receive different instructions/direct instruction from the same teacher simultaneously. 

Plus, it is easy and fast. If you can take a picture on your phone, you can make a tutorial with ScreenChomp. Check out this tutorial video (broken into two parts). 

Desmos Graphing Calculator

Desmos Graphing Calculator 

While iPads do have a calculator installed (as do Macs), sometimes you need something with a little more power (i.e. functionality). Desmos offers a great graphing calculator tool that is available on both iPads and as an extension that integrates with Google Drive.

Besides providing graphing functions, it also integrates the ability to save one's work in the Drive version. Younger users can take advantage of the table function to plot data in Math or Science courses.

When it comes to functions, the calculator integrates several common functions and provides sliders which allow students to see the effects of changing variables within an equation or function. Below is an example of the interface in the calculator.

An Example of Desmos' User Interface 

I created two videos that explain the features of both the iPad app and Drive version further. If you use the calculator, please comment below on how you integrate it into your classes.

ClassDojo & Tally Pad

Class Dojo & Tally Pad: iPad Apps for Elementary (& ML)

Class Dojo 

Class Dojo is a behavior tracking app primarily aimed at Elementary and Middle Level students. It allows real-time tracking of behaviors in class. It also has the ability to track behavior over time and show a breakdown of behaviors over time.

The image on the right shows the interface where teachers track both positive and negative behaviors throughout a class period.

Behaviors come with default settings but can be customized to fit the needs of teachers or specific courses. Additionally, teachers can share "classes" of students so that student behaviors can be tracked throughout different classes.

Watch the following tutorial for more information. If you use Class Dojo, please comment below on how you use it and how it is working for you. Class Dojo is installed on the classroom iPads at Eagle View but can be installed at the ML (or HS) if requested.

Tally Pad

Tally Pad is an iPad app that acts as a flexible counting tool for teachers. It allows teachers to keep track of points or a score during a class. Teachers can also use it as a tool for working with money, counting, budgeting, voting or as a rubric scorer.

Take a look at the images below to see the various way Tally Pad can be configured. If you need to count during a class or keep track of points, Tally Pad is a simple and fast app that will likely meet your needs.


             


Please take a look at the video tutorial below to learn more. If you use Tally Pad, please share below in the comments what you use it for and how it works for you. Eagle View but can be installed at the ML if requested.

  

Writing Wizard

Writing Wizard - An iPad app for Letter/Number Formation

Writing Wizard is an app for letter and number formation that allows students to practice tracing letters, numbers and shapes. It also has a limited number of words to trace. 

Tracing can be done with fingers or, when focusing on pencil grip, can be done using a capacitive stylus. 

The app traces the letter/number first and the allows the child to write over the top. Upon completion, there are shapes or colors that fall off of the letter and become manipulatives. 

Teachers have the capability to adjust the level of difficulty, size and a few other options. 

Currently this app is on the the Kindergarten iPads and cart. Please comment (below) in the blog if you have found this app to be useful or ways that you use it. 

Please view the video tutorial below and subscribe to the Tech Integration YouTube Channel for more Tutorials and Videos.