With the sheer numbers of students (particularly in secondary school) who own smartphones, schools should seek to take advantage of this in an educational setting.
When schools actually think about it, smartphones are:
Should schools allow students to use their own mobile devices at school, they must create/edit and ratify Mobile Phone Policies (such as this).
Check out the solutions below (click on any of the subheadings to navigate to each application area) to make use of both Android and iOS (Apple) smartphone apps in educational settings.
When schools actually think about it, smartphones are:
- cost-effective (as the school doesn't have to pay for them)
- personal (every student has access to their own smartphone) and
- engaging (students love using smartphones).
Should schools allow students to use their own mobile devices at school, they must create/edit and ratify Mobile Phone Policies (such as this).
Check out the solutions below (click on any of the subheadings to navigate to each application area) to make use of both Android and iOS (Apple) smartphone apps in educational settings.
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Lesson & Activity Dissemination Apps
Microsoft Office Suite & Alternative Apps
Social Networking Apps Brilliant when used in conjunction with a class Facebook account or Twitter Handle (e.g. #OurScienceExperiment) to get students sharing their thoughts during lessons or excursions. Click here to learn more.
Note Taking/Annotating Work Apps
Student Video Tutorials Creator Apps
Dictation Apps
eBook Apps
Comic Book Creator Apps
Stop Motion Apps
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QR Code Apps
Internet Browser Apps
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Lesson & Activity Dissemination Apps
Smoothboard Air (Android & iOS)
Smoothboard Air allows teacher's to broadcast their Windows laptop/desktop screen to allow students to view and interact with lesson materials on their smartphones (iOS & Android). Watch the video below.
Students need a QR Code Reader installed on their smartphone to scan the QR code from the teacher's screen to activate each learning session.
Download Smoothboard Air from here (Note: Also requires Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 - download it here).
Download Smoothboard Air from here (Note: Also requires Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 - download it here).
Nearpod (Android & iOS)
Nearpod is brilliant as it allows teachers to:
- Upload a lesson/digital text online
- Disseminate the lesson/text to students who can access it via the Nearpod app (on iOS or Android devices) once they are given the PIN
- Control the pace of the lesson/digital text or let students browse at their own pace
- Integrate quizzes, videos and polls into the lesson/digital text. Student responses are then automatically collected and collated when students access the lesson via the Nearpod app, allowing teachers to monitor the levels of student learning
- Access a wide-variety of lessons/digital texts created by the Nearpod community.
Get engaged with Nearpod from Nearpod on Vimeo.
Simply:
- Register for a free account at the Nearpod website.
- Login to your Nearpod account using either a Windows/Mac/iPad/Android device.
- Create or upload the lesson/text.
- Add interactive polls, quizzes, videos, etc.
- Download the Nearpod app on any iOS or Android device.
- Open the Nearpod app.
- Teachers sign into the app using their Nearpod username and password and tap on the 'Launch' button to share/broadcast the material
- Students enter in the PIN given to them by their teacher to access the material. Each student who signs in is added to a class list on the teacher's account.
Conference Pad
Conference Pad allows users to control a presentation on up to fifteen iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touches from your device, simultaneously and wirelessly over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi as well as on one or more external screens or projectors attached to iPads and iPhones.
These features can be used in small or large group reading scenarios when teachers need to control the pace of the students reading.
These features can be used in small or large group reading scenarios when teachers need to control the pace of the students reading.
AirServer (iOS)
AirServer, for Windows 7/8 & Mac, allows users to mirror and stream content from an iPad or iPhone onto Windows or Mac. Users can also record the iOS screen. It is particularly handy for:
See the video below for further details.
- Teaching the whole class or a small group using an app on the iPad
- Working as a large group to analyse, discuss, annotate and search through an eBook (e.g. During Lit Circles)
- Displaying student work opened on an iPad onto an IWB/projector (e.g. During Lit Circles, the Investigators present an investigation opened on their iPad without needing leaving their table)
- Navigating through digital documents or websites on an iPad whilst students watch on a projector (if your school does not have IWBs)
- Taking a photo of a student's work and immediately displaying/mirroring it onto the IWB/projector for the class to see
See the video below for further details.
Installation instructions:
- Install a copy of AirServer onto a Windows/Mac. Educational Licensing is available. AirServer costs $US14.99 for 3 licenses. Click here to buy or download a free 7 day trial.
- Double click the circle button any iPad.
- Touch the AirPlay button.
- Move 'Mirroring' to 'On'.
- Select the name of your Windows/Mac PC.
Reflector (iOS)
Reflector (for Windows XP/7/8 & Mac) allows users to mirror and stream content from an iPad or iPhone onto Windows or Mac. Users can also record the iOS screen and can simultaneously display multiple iOS devices on the one Windows/Mac screen.
Educational Licensing is not available. 1 licenses costs $US12.99 and a 5 seat license costs $US54.99. Download a trial (32-bit or 64 bit) or click here to purchase and download Reflector.
Educational Licensing is not available. 1 licenses costs $US12.99 and a 5 seat license costs $US54.99. Download a trial (32-bit or 64 bit) or click here to purchase and download Reflector.
File Explorer Apps
The biggest gripe people have against iPads and Android devices is that they say they can't access files from their computer or network, and instead have to use cloud solutions like Dropbox or Google Drive. This is simply no longer true. It is still amazing to see schools who have spent thousands of dollars on iPads or Android devices who do not know about the following apps.
These three apps below allow teachers and students alike to access and open files on a connected wi-fi network. They are ideal as students and teachers can readily open network files in a matter of seconds without help.
NOTE: If your school or work has proxy authentication, when using these apps users will be prompted to enter their normal Windows log-on username and password to access the files. Whilst various hidden network folders may be visible when using these apps (network administrators can set up drives to hide any folders if that is their desired option), the normal Windows log-on security procedures will still prevent students and teachers from opening files that their log-on does not permit.
These three apps below allow teachers and students alike to access and open files on a connected wi-fi network. They are ideal as students and teachers can readily open network files in a matter of seconds without help.
NOTE: If your school or work has proxy authentication, when using these apps users will be prompted to enter their normal Windows log-on username and password to access the files. Whilst various hidden network folders may be visible when using these apps (network administrators can set up drives to hide any folders if that is their desired option), the normal Windows log-on security procedures will still prevent students and teachers from opening files that their log-on does not permit.
File Explorer Free - iOS
Price: Free
Description: Allows users to access files from any connected wifi network (including authenticated proxies), network device (Windows, Mac and even a hard drive shared via router), Google Drive or Dropbox. Great for opening lessons and activities from network servers.
Price: Free
Description: Allows users to access files from any connected wifi network (including authenticated proxies), network device (Windows, Mac and even a hard drive shared via router), Google Drive or Dropbox. Great for opening lessons and activities from network servers.
File Explorer Pro (Paid Version) - iOS
Price: $2.99
Description: Allows users to access files from any connected wifi network or networked device. Pro allows files to be copied from the network onto the iPad's camera roll and copy files wirelessly from an iPad onto a network. Great for opening lessons and activities from network servers.
Price: $2.99
Description: Allows users to access files from any connected wifi network or networked device. Pro allows files to be copied from the network onto the iPad's camera roll and copy files wirelessly from an iPad onto a network. Great for opening lessons and activities from network servers.
ES File Explorer - Android
Price: Free
Description: Allows users to access and modify local (android) and remote files (on a computer, network drive and network devices) via any connected wifi network (including authenticated proxies). Great for opening lessons and activities from network servers. Click here to watch a video tutorial to learn more.
Screenshot ($ denotes hidden system folders which are visable but NOT accessible without the correct authentication logon)
Price: Free
Description: Allows users to access and modify local (android) and remote files (on a computer, network drive and network devices) via any connected wifi network (including authenticated proxies). Great for opening lessons and activities from network servers. Click here to watch a video tutorial to learn more.
Screenshot ($ denotes hidden system folders which are visable but NOT accessible without the correct authentication logon)
Microsoft Office & Alternative Apps
Office Mobile for Office 365 subscribers - iOS
Price: Free* (for Office 365 subscribers)
Description: Brings the functionality of Microsoft Office 365 to iOS devices.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Video (iPhone)
Price: Free* (for Office 365 subscribers)
Description: Brings the functionality of Microsoft Office 365 to iOS devices.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Video (iPhone)
Office Mobile for Office 365 subscribers - Android
Price: Free* (for Office 365 subscribers)
Description: Brings the functionality of Microsoft Office 365 to Android devices.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Video
Price: Free* (for Office 365 subscribers)
Description: Brings the functionality of Microsoft Office 365 to Android devices.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Video
QuickOffice - iOS
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant free app from Google to create and edit Microsoft Office documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Access local and Google Drive files.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Video (iPhone)
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant free app from Google to create and edit Microsoft Office documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Access local and Google Drive files.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Video (iPhone)
QuickOffice - Android
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant free app from Google to create and edit Microsoft Office documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Access local and Google Drive files.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Video
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant free app from Google to create and edit Microsoft Office documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Access local and Google Drive files.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Video
Pages - iOS
Price: $10.49
Description: A word processing app (e.g. Word) by Apple exclusively for iOS devices.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Screenshot 4 | Video (iPhone)
Price: $10.49
Description: A word processing app (e.g. Word) by Apple exclusively for iOS devices.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Screenshot 4 | Video (iPhone)
Keynote - iOS
Price: $10.49
Description: A presentation app (e.g. PowerPoint) by Apple exclusively for iOS devices.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Video (iPhone)
Price: $10.49
Description: A presentation app (e.g. PowerPoint) by Apple exclusively for iOS devices.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Video (iPhone)
Numbers - iOS
Price: $10.49
Description: A spreadsheet app (e.g. Excel) by Apple exclusively for iOS devices.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Video (iPhone)
Price: $10.49
Description: A spreadsheet app (e.g. Excel) by Apple exclusively for iOS devices.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Video (iPhone)
Kingsoft Office - Android
Price: Free
Description: Office and PDF reader for Android. Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Screenshot 4 | Video
Price: Free
Description: Office and PDF reader for Android. Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Screenshot 3 | Screenshot 4 | Video
Social Networking Apps
Facebook - iOS
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant when used in conjunction with a class Facebook to get students sharing their thoughts during lessons or excursions.
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant when used in conjunction with a class Facebook to get students sharing their thoughts during lessons or excursions.
Facebook - Android
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant when used in conjunction with a class Facebook to get students sharing their thoughts during lessons or excursions.
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant when used in conjunction with a class Facebook to get students sharing their thoughts during lessons or excursions.
Twitter - iOS
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant when used in conjunction with an agreed 'Twitter Handle' (e.g. #OurScienceExperiment) to get students sharing their thoughts during lessons or excursions.
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant when used in conjunction with an agreed 'Twitter Handle' (e.g. #OurScienceExperiment) to get students sharing their thoughts during lessons or excursions.
Twitter - Android
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant when used in conjunction with an agreed 'Twitter Handle' (e.g. #OurScienceExperiment) to get students sharing their thoughts during lessons or excursions.
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant when used in conjunction with an agreed 'Twitter Handle' (e.g. #OurScienceExperiment) to get students sharing their thoughts during lessons or excursions.
Note Taking / Annotating Work Apps
Flick - iOS
Price: Free
Description: A handy app for taking notes and "flicking" them over to another iOS device. Users can also "flick" images, videos and contacts to users with the app open. Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2
Price: Free
Description: A handy app for taking notes and "flicking" them over to another iOS device. Users can also "flick" images, videos and contacts to users with the app open. Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2
Evernote - iOS
Price: Free
Description: A handy app for taking notes, capturing photos, creating to-do lists, and recording voice reminders. Use the search function to quickly find your work.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Videos
Price: Free
Description: A handy app for taking notes, capturing photos, creating to-do lists, and recording voice reminders. Use the search function to quickly find your work.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Videos
Evernote - Android
Price: Free
Description: Evernote saves both the audio and the text file together so users can use the app's search ability to find a recorded note.
Price: Free
Description: Evernote saves both the audio and the text file together so users can use the app's search ability to find a recorded note.
Skitch by Evernote - iOS
Price: Free
Description: Take a photo, mark it up, send it on.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Video
Price: Free
Description: Take a photo, mark it up, send it on.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Video
Dictation Apps
Dragon Dictation
Price: Free
Description: A brilliant dictation app that turns speech into typed text. It requires an internet connection, so works perfectly from a house, however for use within a school it must be configured by an IT Administrator to work with a proxy server.
Price: Free
Description: A brilliant dictation app that turns speech into typed text. It requires an internet connection, so works perfectly from a house, however for use within a school it must be configured by an IT Administrator to work with a proxy server.
Student Video Tutorial Creator Apps
Explain Everything - Android
Price: $2.99
Description: Perfect for creating video tutorials. Use a coloured background or import and image to annotate. Records audio and touch interactions as drawings. Watch the official video to learn more.
Price: $2.99
Description: Perfect for creating video tutorials. Use a coloured background or import and image to annotate. Records audio and touch interactions as drawings. Watch the official video to learn more.
eBook Apps
Moon+Reader - Android
Price: Free
Description: A brilliant eBook reading app. Change the background colour/image and text to suit your mood!
Screenshot | Video
Price: Free
Description: A brilliant eBook reading app. Change the background colour/image and text to suit your mood!
Screenshot | Video
Creative Book Builder - iOS
Price: $4.49
Description: Perfect for creating eBooks with multiple chapters. Easily insert images and headings. For lengthy texts, it is best to type the work using Windows or Mac, email it to oneself, open the email on the IOS device and paste into CBB. Watch the official CBB video tutorials here.
Price: $4.49
Description: Perfect for creating eBooks with multiple chapters. Easily insert images and headings. For lengthy texts, it is best to type the work using Windows or Mac, email it to oneself, open the email on the IOS device and paste into CBB. Watch the official CBB video tutorials here.
Creative Book Builder - Android
Price: $3.79
Description: Perfect for creating eBooks with multiple chapters. Easily insert images and headings. For lengthy texts, it is best to type the work using Windows or Mac, email it to oneself, open the email on the IOS device and paste into CBB. Watch the official CBB video tutorials here.
Price: $3.79
Description: Perfect for creating eBooks with multiple chapters. Easily insert images and headings. For lengthy texts, it is best to type the work using Windows or Mac, email it to oneself, open the email on the IOS device and paste into CBB. Watch the official CBB video tutorials here.
Comic Book Creator Apps
ComicBook! - Android
Price: $1.99* Add-ons available for purchase.
Description: Create professional looking comics using customised speech bubbles, page layouts, import images from library and camera roll (be the star in your own comic) and manipulate images using various image filters. Saves to PDF. Watch the offical video to learn more.
Price: $1.99* Add-ons available for purchase.
Description: Create professional looking comics using customised speech bubbles, page layouts, import images from library and camera roll (be the star in your own comic) and manipulate images using various image filters. Saves to PDF. Watch the offical video to learn more.
Stop Motion Apps
Animate It - iOS
Price: Free
Description: Created by Aardman Animations Studios, creators of Wallace & Gromit, is a simple introductory stop motion app for children of all ages.
Screenshot | Video
Price: Free
Description: Created by Aardman Animations Studios, creators of Wallace & Gromit, is a simple introductory stop motion app for children of all ages.
Screenshot | Video
Lapse It - Android
Price: Free (It can be upgraded to Pro to capture 1080P video and to access more filters for $2.99).
Description: An easy to use dual purpose program that captures time lapse and stop motion. Screenshot | Video
Price: Free (It can be upgraded to Pro to capture 1080P video and to access more filters for $2.99).
Description: An easy to use dual purpose program that captures time lapse and stop motion. Screenshot | Video
Lapse It - iOS
Price: It can be upgraded to Pro (to captures 1080P video and to access more filters) for $1.99.
Description: An easy to use dual purpose program that captures time lapse and stop motion. Screenshot | Video
Price: It can be upgraded to Pro (to captures 1080P video and to access more filters) for $1.99.
Description: An easy to use dual purpose program that captures time lapse and stop motion. Screenshot | Video
QR Code Apps
iQRScanner - iOS
Price: Free
Description: Scan QR codes (scannable hyperlinks) using tablets or smart phones to visit content online. Allows user to nominate whether the scanned link should be opened within the app or Safari.
Price: Free
Description: Scan QR codes (scannable hyperlinks) using tablets or smart phones to visit content online. Allows user to nominate whether the scanned link should be opened within the app or Safari.
QR Code Maker - iOS
Price: Free
Description: Generate QR codes (scannable hyperlinks using a QR reader app on tablets or smart phones). Perfect for advertising brochures or placing on art work for people to scan and watch student explanations or poetry recitals.
Price: Free
Description: Generate QR codes (scannable hyperlinks using a QR reader app on tablets or smart phones). Perfect for advertising brochures or placing on art work for people to scan and watch student explanations or poetry recitals.
QR Droid - Android
Price: Free
Description: Read and generate QR Codes hyperlinked to a web address, generate an email, create a phone 'contact' card, generate an event or even a PayPal payment. Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2
Price: Free
Description: Read and generate QR Codes hyperlinked to a web address, generate an email, create a phone 'contact' card, generate an event or even a PayPal payment. Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2
Internet Browser Apps
Dolphin Browser - Android
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant internet browser with built-in gesture and voice control (Dolphin Sonar). Over 80 million downloads.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Video
Price: Free
Description: Brilliant internet browser with built-in gesture and voice control (Dolphin Sonar). Over 80 million downloads.
Screenshot 1 | Screenshot 2 | Video
