config

=Configuring the iPads=

Thought we might need a page to discuss what apps should be kept and what apps should be deleted from the iPads. PLEASE participate! I feel like I am posting in a void out here.

I have tried each and every one of these apps (this is a work in progress this weekend (March 30))...

folder name - app name - opinion

Kids Games - Trunky Puzzles - has a prominently placed "purchase all puzzles" button. It is limited to 4 extremely simple puzzles. Recommend: delete

Kids Games - Dress Eggy - Ads at the bottom. Remove ads button directly above the ad which takes the user to the app store. Oh dear, the save feature saves the image of the egg in the photo library. This will fill up our 16gig in no time at all. It also asks if you want to email the "postcard" right now. Of course, mailbox is not configured. What will students "do" with their creation? Why did they just color an egg on a $500 coloring book? And it has the world's most ANNOYING music that cannot be turned off. YES, you can turn off the sound, but the less we have kids fooling with the sound, the better. Recommend: delete

Kids Games - Click 'n' Colour - This also has a save feature which puts the image in your photo library. We need to really watch our photo libraries to be sure that what is in there is important. We will be taking LOTS of images and videos, but storing them on the iPads is not going to work. We'll kill our space. This app has 7 coloring pictures and only a fill-tool. In-app purchase option is a button. Recommend: delete

Kids Games - 25-in-1 Free educational games - I think they are using the term "educational" in its most broad sense. It links to app store with a button and to their website with a button. I first tried the last game in the pack, My first puzzles aliens. It is a 7 piece puzzle. When you complete it (literally in seconds), you are taken to a page with an ad that links to the app store and the paid version of the app. Let's check the others... How about Learning to Draw is Fun. I drew a castle in 4 steps. Then, oh. It took me to a page with an ad that links to the app store and the paid version of the app. I think we know where this is going. Recommend: delete

Splash Math - We have grades 1, 2, 3 and 4. I can't tell if these are full versions, but they each only allow for 4 players to be set up. They save data which will have to be cleared each time a teacher assigns a student to use this game or each time a child plays. The point of this app is to keep track of a child's progress. Oh, they are trials. The first grade one only has place value and numbers and comparison. The other 13 levels are locked for purchase. When you finish a game in the open levels, it asks if you want to try "addition" (or maybe another concept). If you say yes, it takes you to the purchase page. I have the paid version on my iPad and it still limits you to only 5 players. With our iPads being shared by so many kids, I'm not sure this is worth keeping. Recommend: keep and tell teachers of the limitations (well, really I would say delete. It's of little, if any, value, but I haven't recommended one app yet.

StoryMakers - Thomas & Friends Engine Activities - Trial version with a coloring page app (that lets you save to the photo library), a puzzle and a matching game. Each one has a limited free version and links to the app store for more. The coloring pages are not fillers, they are brushes. And they are frustrating. You can't stay inside the lines. Recommend: delete

StoryMakers - Play School Art Maker - I like this! (Are you shocked)? You can't draw, but it has the most adorable stickers and you can move them around whilst you record your own tale. You can even put scenes together. LOVE IT!!! Recommend: keep (In light of this, I recommend deleting all the Splash Math apps). HA HA

StoryMakers - Toontastic - This is a wonderful creation app in which students can make cartoons. We only have the character set that is part of the free download (this program is free - upgraded character sets are for a fee), but students can draw characters. They won't move like the purchased characters, but at least they have the option to add their own for free. We cannot access the Toontastic environment because it is blocked, so students cannot upload their creations, nor can they view other students' creations from around the world. Nonetheless, it is a very worthy application to promote creativity. Recommend: keep

Books - Recommend: keep all

Music - Learn Piano - Links out to an in-app purchase BEFORE you can even play a note. AND the stuff is all Mahalo vids on YouTube. Since the iPads can't access YouTube, this is useless. Recommend: delete

Music - Dr. Seuss Band - You can switch out parts of a Seuss-aphone for some different sounds. Then you can play along with some colorful dropping notes. There are lots of locked levels and songs. Not much in the way of entertainment value here. And absolutely no educational value. Recommend: delete

Music - Music Sparkles - I hate the mariachi music at the start of this obnoxious app. Everything except a xylophone and a drum kit is locked for purchase with the usual prominent link button. If you click a locked instrument, it offers to sell you the app. This will frustrate every user. Recommend: delete

Kinder/ESL - Color Bugs - I love this app. It is VERY simple. But if you want kids to learn how to swipe and drag, this is a good way to do that without any instruction. It only deals with 4 colors and numbers to 9 (at least that's all I see), but it's excellent. I had to buy it tonight for $.99. Looks like you found a really good freebie in this one. Awesome. Recommend: keep