The Best 10 Android Apps for Project-based Learning

June 30, 2015

Project-based learning is one of the best teaching strategies that enhances students learning and increases their engagement with the learning tasks at hand. Technology and particularly mobile technology takes this concept a step further by empowering students with the tools they need to perform their tasks anytime and anywhere they are. After having published a comprehensive list of iPad apps teachers can use to incorporate the ethos of project based learning in their classroom teaching, we are sharing with you today another list but this time for Android users.

1-Book Creator

“Book Creator is the simple way to make your own beautiful ebooks, right on your iPad. With over 10 million ebooks created so far, Book Creator is ideal for making all kinds of books, including children's picture books, photo books, journals, textbooks and more.”
2- Explain Everything

“Explain Everything is an easy-to-use design, screencasting, and interactive whiteboard tool that lets you annotate, animate, narrate, import, and export almost anything to and from almost anywhere.”

3- Tellagami

“Tellagami is a mobile app that lets you create and share a quick animated Gami video. A Gami can be an exciting tweet or status update. It can be a fun way to tell a story. It can be a thank you message or a vacation postcard. It can be a birthday greeting, party invite or cool way to share photos.”

4-  WeVideo

WeVideo is an awesome video editor that allows you to both capture and edit videos on the go. Using weVideo will also enable you to create amazing photo-stories and slideshows using the images you have in your gallery or the ones you have captured by the app. WeVideo provides a slew of interesting tools to edit your creations including : adding effects to movies, a set of pre-made themes, add titles and captions, add music and audio. The finished product can be shared through popular social media websites.

5- PicCollage

“Use PicCollage to combine photos, Youtube videos, funky fonts, sassy stickers and cute cutouts to create the prettiest collages you'll ever see on a mobile device…Share with your friends and followers on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and iMessage. You can also PRINT your collages into greeting cards or postcards to send to your loved ones anywhere in the world!”

 6- Evernote

‘Evernote for iPad is the modern workspace that syncs between all of your devices. Work everywhere and stay productive:
• Write notes, checklists, and research
• Organize web articles, docs, and photos
• Discuss your work with others, right within the app
• Present ideas without creating a slide deck’

7- SimpleMind

“SimpleMind Free for Android™ is a mind mapping tool that turns your android phone or tablet into a brainstorming, idea collection and thought structuring device.”

8- Lensoo Create

" Lensoo Create turns your Android tablet into a virtual whiteboard with voice recording, video and smooth digital writing. Using Lensoo Create you can quickly share your ideas through email, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn from virtually anywhere. You can also download recordings on the website. Whether you are a teacher looking to instill knowledge, a student wishing to present your ideas or simply a person with an impressive skill to share, Lensoo Create is for you."

9- Timeline

Timeline is a great reference tool for remembering dates big and small. It allows you to create timelines and associate them with custom colors, view multiple timelines together, make some timelines links permanent, search timelines and many more

10- Remind

'Remind (formerly Remind101) offers teachers a free, safe and simple way to instantly text students & parents. Teachers, coaches, or administrators can send reminders, assignments, homework, assessments, or motivational messages directly to students' & parents' phones. Messaging is safe because phone numbers are kept private. Teachers save time because they can send quick, one-way Announcements, or opt-in to Chat for personalized communication with a student or parent.'

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8 Must Read Books on Game-based Learning

June 30, 2015
Game-based learning is a learning trend with an increasing attraction in today’s classrooms. At its core, game-based learning deploys learning principles incorporated in the gaming industry in educational settings. The purpose is to enhance students learning and create optimal learning experiences in and outside classrooms. This is usually done through the use of a variety of hands-on and highly competitive activities geared towards engaging students and motivating them to learn better.

For those of you interested in learning more about this learning trend, we have compiled for you this collection of wonderful books written by leading figures in this field. The books feature a myriad of academic studies, empirical researches and theoretical perspectives providing a holistic picture of what game based learning is all about.

1- The Gamification of Learning and Instruction: Game-based Methods and Strategies for Training and Education. By Karl M. Kapp

“"Kapp argues convincingly that gamification is not just about adding points, levels and badges to an eLearning program, but about fundamentally rethinking learning design. He has put together a brilliant primer for learning professionals on how to gamify learning, packed with useful advice and examples." —Anders Gronstedt, president, Gronstedt Group”.

2-  Digital Games and Learning: Research and Theory, by Nicola Whitton

“Digital Games and Learning: Research and Theory provides a clear and concise critical theoretical overview of the field of digital games and learning from a cross-disciplinary perspective. Taking into account research and theory from areas as varied as computer science, psychology, education, neuroscience, and game design, this book aims to synthesise work that is relevant to the study of games and learning. It focuses on four aspects of digital games: games as active learning environments, games as motivational tools, games as playgrounds, and games as learning technologies, and explores each of these areas in detail.”

3- Gamify: How Gamification Motivates People to Do Extraordinary Things, by Brian Burke

“Gamify shows gamification in action: as a powerful approach to engaging and motivating people to achieving their goals, while at the same time achieving organizational objectives. It can be used to motivate people to change behaviors, develop skills, and drive innovation. “

4- Gaming Lives in the Twenty-First Century: Literate Connections, by Gail E. Hawisher (Editor), Cynthia L. Selfe (Editor)

“Gaming Lives explores the complexly rendered relationship between computer gaming environments and literacy development by focusing on in-depth case studies of computer gamers in the United States at the beginning of the twenty-first century. This volume examines the claim that computer games can provide better literacy and learning environments than U.S. schools. Using the words and observations of individual gamers, this book offers historical and cultural analyses of their literacy development, practices, and values.”

5- Good Video Games and Good Learning: Collected Essays on Video Games, Learning and Literacy, by James Paul Gee

“This book discusses a broad range of topics concerning video games, learning and literacy. These include the ways games can marry pleasure, learning and mastery through the sense of ownership, agency and control players enjoy when gaming, as well as controversial issues surrounding games. The book explores relationships between values, identity, content and learning, and focuses on how to understand and explain many young people’s differential experiences of learning in gaming and schooling respectively.”

6- What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy, by James Paul Gee

“James Paul Gee begins his classic book with "I want to talk about video games--yes, even violent video games--and say some positive things about them." With this simple but explosive statement, one of America's most well-respected educators looks seriously at the good that can come from playing video games.”

7- Games, Learning, and Society: Learning and Meaning in the Digital Age, by Constance Steinkuehler (Editor), Kurt Squire Ph.D. (Editor), Sasha Barab Ph.D. (Editor)

“This volume is the first reader on videogames and learning of its kind. Covering game design, game culture, and games as 21st century pedagogy, it demonstrates the depth and breadth of scholarship on games and learning to date. The chapters represent some of the most influential thinkers, designers, and writers in the emerging field of games and learning - including James Paul Gee, Soren Johnson, Eric Klopfer, Colleen Macklin, Thomas Malaby, Bonnie Nardi, David Sirlin, and others”

8- Video Games and Learning: Teaching and Participatory Culture in the Digital Age, by Kurt Squire

“ This accessible book describes how educators and curriculum designers can harness the participatory nature of digital media and play. The author presents a comprehensive model of games and learning that integrates analysis of games, games cultures, and educational game design. Building on over 10 years of research, Kurt Squire tells the story of the emerging field of immersive digitally mediated learning environments (or games) and outlines the future of education.”

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Clarisketch- Excellent Tool for Creating Annotated Videos and Sketches

June 30, 2015
Clarisketch is an interesting app that enables you to create animated sketches by combining speech, drawing and photos. As a teacher, you can use Clarisketch to create flipped classroom videos, explain a complex process or illustrate a given topic using both annotated commentary and recorded audio. You will be able to walk the students through your explanations using features such as highlights, drawings and audio prompts.

There are three ways to create  an animated sketch on  Clasrisketch. You can either grab a photo using your phone or tablet camera , import a photo from your photo library, or use a blank canvas. You can start annotating your picture by drawing on it, adding lines and shapes, highlighting specific parts, while recording your own voice as you work. The finished product is a screen recording of your sketch which you can then share with others  via email, Facebook, Google+, Twitter or other social networks. The shared sketch can be played in any browser and without the receivers having to install Clarisketch.

Clarisketch works on Android operated devices as well as Chromebooks.

Courtesy of EdTech Review

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4 Great Equation Tools for Math Teachers and Students

June 29, 2015
Here are four excellent Chrome apps specifically curated for Math teachers and students. These apps are ideal for writing, editing and viewing math formula whether they are simple or complex. One of these tools, TeX equation editor, is integrated with Google Drive so you can easily paste TeX equations right into your  Google Docs.

1- Daum Equation Edior

'Edit the formula in this program is designed to quickly and easily. In the editor that provides many types of formulas with just the click of a button you can create a formula. Some of the features provided by this app include:

• Create formulas with the click of a button. 
• Create formulas with TeX input editor. 
• Changing the size and layout of the formula. 
• Images created with a formula to save to your PC. 
• Support common text input. 
• Support copy and paste.
• support task history.'

2- Quick Equations

'This is a fast equation editor/viewer that allows you to type equations quickly using helpful shortcuts and see them as you do. No more do you have to worry about missing a bracket or mistyping your equation with the real-time preview.You can then search for the equation on WolframAlpha to solve it or see more information.'

3- TeX Equation Editor

‘You can generate an image of a mathematical formula using the TeX(or LaTeX) language.This is useful for displaying complex formulas on your web page.
Provides connect with Google Drive. Paste the TeX equation, QR Code, Barcode to Google documents.’

4- MathX Equation Builder for Google Docs

‘MATHX is the next generation equation editor that makes typing equations fast and easy for everyone.  There is no need for coding (LaTeX/TeX) or clicking on icons (palette-based editors).  You type math like you think it.’

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7 New Educational Web Tools for Teachers

June 29, 2015
In this month's 'New Educational Web Tools' series, we are sharing with you this selection of interesting web tools we have been curating over the last few weeks. The purpose is to keep you updated about the latest in the EdTech world and introduce you to some useful applications that might be of an added value to  your teaching.

1- Riddle

Riddle is an excellent web tool for teachers. It allows them to  create their own PlayBuzz and Buzzfeed-style quizzes, lists, polls, and more, often in under a minute. Riddle’s goal is to provide best-in-class tools that making creating interactive content simple, so you can concentrate on the content instead of worrying about the tools.

2-EduSight Notes

‘Quickly capture anecdotal evidence about student learning in your classroom. Make note of important behavior or character development for all your students. Store examples of student work to guide your assessment practice. All your notes and observations are organized by student in a handy timeline view. Reflect on students’ progress by reviewing evidence of their learning, and be better prepared for parent-teacher conferences!’

3- CarQuiz Math Game

‘Great for Math Practice! CarQuiz is a math game for kids, where the player races around a track solving math equations. CarQuiz builds skills in Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division. The objective of the game is to get as many correct answers as possible. The game has different levels of math difficulty, and players can practice operators randomly, or one at a time.’

4- Classroom Authors

Classroom Authors provides a complete solution for publishing in the classroom. Access to create using the Classroom Authors publishing platform is completely free for both teachers and students.

6- WriteReader

‘Award winning literacy based learning platform where children from the age of three can create their own books and at the same time learn how to write and read. The app is developed in cooperation with leading literacy and computer based researchers, teachers, parents and children. ’

7- StudyRoom 

StudyRoom is a good web platform where students can connect with their classmates, get help on homework and get access to notes and files.

8- NowComment

NowComment makes it easy to have rich, engaging discussions of online documents no matter how large (or small) your class or collaboration group.

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Coggle- A Handy Google Drive Tool for Collaboratively Creating Diagrams and Mind Maps

June 29, 2015
Coggle is a good Chrome app for creating mind maps. It integrates seamlessly with Google Drive and allows you to organize and share your files with your Google contacts the way you like. Coggle provides a wide variety of features that make it easy for users to create beautiful mind maps and share them with others. Interesting among these features is the collaborative functionality which enable you to invite colleagues and work on the same diagram in the same time.

Coggle supports picture integration allowing you to add as many pictures as you want to your mind maps. Additionally, Coggle is able to track  your editing history and through ‘history mode’ you can access and change the recent edits you have added to your diagrams. You can also ‘look through the history of your diagram to see who changed what, and when! Just enter the diagram history mode to find out.’

Watch the video below to learn more about Coogle

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5 Excellent Note Taking Apps for Your Mac

June 28, 2015
Text Edit is definitely an excellent Mac app for quickly capturing thoughts and ideas. It comes integrated with the OS X on your Mac and provides some pretty decent features most important of which is iCloud syncing. However, if you are willing to take your Mac note taking experience to the next level and try out some more advanced apps, the list below has you covered. This is a collection of some of the most popular apps for taking notes on Mac. The apps come with a set of useful features from annotating to integrating multimedia materials in your notes. Check them out and see what works for you.

1- Simple Note

‘The Simplenote experience is all about speed and efficiency. Open it, write some thoughts, and you're done. As your collection of notes grows, you can search them instantly and keep them organized with tags and pins. You can also share notes and publish them for other people.’

2- Write

‘Write is a modern note taking app with a stunning interface. You might be a writer, student, blogger or just a simple person who likes to keep things in order and make life productive, you'll love Write! No matter where you store your notes, Write will organise and present them beautifully.’

3- Outline

‘Outline is an intuitive note-taking application for OS X with convenient structure resembling real paper books: notebooks, sections, groups of sections and pages help to keep order in notes, regardless of their complexity. Outline for Mac is perfect for students, teachers, physicians, lawyers, executives and everyone who's daily life involves extensive note-taking of any kind.’

4- Letterspace

‘Think about all of the notes you have to take on a daily basis. It's something we all do. Good note taking is based on being able to get your thoughts and ideas on the page quickly and efficiently. Letterspace doesn't distract you. It provides a noise free space to jot things down. So simple, so powerful.’

5- Microsoft OneNote

‘Capture your thoughts, discoveries, and ideas with OneNote, your very own digital notebook. With OneNote you can seize that moment of inspiration, plan that big event, or track that list of errands that are too important to forget. Whether you're at home, in the office, or on the go, your notes are available to you on all your devices.’

6- Evernote

‘Evernote for {Mac} is the modern workspace that syncs between all of your devices. Work everywhere and stay productive:
• Write notes, checklists, and research
• Organize web articles, docs, and photos
• Discuss your work with others, right within the app
• Present ideas without creating a slide deck’

7- App for Google Keep

‘With Google Keep you can:
- Keep track of your thoughts via notes, lists and photos
- Add reminders to important notes and be reminded through Google Now
- Colour-code your notes to help find them later
- Archive things you no longer need
- Turn a note into a checklist by adding checkboxes
- Use your notes from anywhere - they are safely stored in the cloud and available on the web at http://keep.google.com'

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5 of The Best Android Apps for Learning A New Language

June 28, 2015
Language learning has never been as easy as it is now particularly with the immense linguistic affordances provided by the web. Learners can have access to the best language resources and tutors, often for free, and right from the comfort of their living rooms. The net is teeming with all kinds of language-enhancing tools and platforms and now with the advent of mobile gadgetry, language learning is on the go. We have already compiled some good iPad apps for picking up a new language and today we are sharing another selection of apps but for Android users. The list below features some of the best language learning apps in Android app store.

1- Duolingo

Duolingo is a great web tool and mobile app for learning a new language. Duolingo provides a plethora of translation activities  through which learners get to practice their new language. Duolingo gamifies language learning by using a system of rewards for good achievements. It also gives learners the opportunity to translate real-world texts in the language they are learning and thus help other learners.

2- Busuu

’Learn a language with busuu on your mobile, at home or on the go! Used by over 50 million people worldwide and rated by Android as a “Must have app” for 2014, busuu is the fun and easy way to learn a new language in just a few minutes a day.’

3- Babbel

‘Discover the new way to learn languages. It's easy and fun for beginners and advanced learners. Just a few minutes a day strengthens your language skills. Download the app and try out the first lesson for free!’

4- Rosetta Stone

‘Learn to speak Spanish, Italian, German, French, English, or one of 19 other languages anytime, anywhere. Just download "Learn Languages: Rosetta Stone," our free language-learning app, and start building new language skills quickly and effectively with the proven Rosetta Stone® method.
Learning with our free mobile app is like having a personal language tutor. You’ll discover new vocabulary and grammar—and learn how to use your new language skills in conversation.’

5- Memrise

Millions of members worldwide use Memrise to learn over 200 different languages. Memories provides Multiple game modes drill different aspects of memory: Visual Learning, Review & Strengthen, Rapid Recall + more.You can choose from 1000s of courses in 100s of languages, all totally free and many more.

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Here Is A Great App for Creating Comic Books with Students

June, 2015
We want to draw your attention in today’s post to this excellent iPad app that is free now for a limited time. Halftone 2 is a very good comic book creator app that you can use with students to create comic and scrap books using photos and sound effects.

The process of creating a comic book using Halftone 2 is  simple and easy: Choose a page layout from the selection provided there, then import your photos from your photo library, Facebook or Flickr. Customize the look of your images using Aviary’s photo editing tools that include things such as automatic enhancements, filter effects, brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness, redeye, whiten, blemish, and selective focus. You can also add captions and speech bubbles to your photos or choose from over 80 professionally-designed graphical shapes. Next, mix in some sound effects then share your creation as an image, multi-page document, or high-definition video.

Other features provided by Halftone 2 include:

• Over 30 unique caption and balloon styles (speech bubbles, thought balloons, banners, scrolls, and more)
• A powerful 3D perspective feature lets you tilt your captions and balloons
• A custom stamp feature allows you to add your own images (with support for alpha channels)
• Choose from over 30 multi-photo page layouts
• 50 licensed sound effects are included that can be assigned to each photo panel
•  An optional soundtrack can be added by choosing a song from your music library
• A document library lets you create, save, copy, and work with multiple projects
• Output formats include image (JPG), PDF, CBZ, and video (MP4)

Watch this video to learn more about to use Halftone2

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5 Excellent Educational iPad Apps Gone Free Today

June 27, 2015
Today we picked for  you these handy educational apps that are on sale. They are actually free for a limited period of time. Some of the things you can do with these apps include: journaling, note taking, collaborative sketching, annotating PDFs, drawing , creating to-do lists, speed reading and many more.

1- Zentries: The Art of Journaling

‘We built Zentries because we wanted an app that could let us type our thoughts and ideas with all the simple beauty and elegance of a journal. Zentries is made with love, and designed a quick and easy way to tell your story. Or several of them if you like. Your entries are sorted by date, and can easily be shared - as either a single page or entire journal. And that’s all there is to the app. We made Zentries simple, because the things you write in it may not be.’

2- Sketch Rolls

‘Sketch Rolls is a functional app you will use to collaborate on thoughts and ideas in meetings, classrooms, or while on the go. You can take notes in a classroom, present your strategic plan to the board of directors, sketch the architectural masterpiece, create a comic strip or hand it over to your 4 year old to keep them busy.’

3- MolaSync - Collaborative cloud notes! Sound recording, Sharp Drawing, Typing, Chatting and collaboration

‘With MolaSync specially designed for iPad, You can draw to record your inspiration at anytime, anywhere, insert pictures and words and even record to write notes and annotate to modify the PDF document. More exciting, by MolaSync collaboration function, you can exchange views and work together with your friends. Together complete a painting, a document, a design, a trip plan, and share your achievements or show them via social network.’

4- Orderly - Reminders, Tasks & To Do Lists

‘Orderly is a nice and incredibly easy to use todo list app designed exclusively for iOS, is now updated with great features like unlimited categories, powerful search and many more customization.’

5- Schulte Table - improve your fast reading and attention

‘Schulte table is a great app to improve your peripheral vision and speed reading. This application has a long list of features such as in-depth customization, detailed statistics of the results and online leaderboards.’

Courtesy of Apps Gone Free

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