Raising app y learners 4.3.15
- 1. Raising ‘App-y’ Learners Apps to support school-aged children Clara Hendricks, Children’s Librarian Wellesley Free Library April 3, 2015
- 2. Technology and Children • All screens are not created equally • Tablets/smartphones are multi-functional: camera, notepad, picture book,TV, arcade, etc. • Engage with your child when using technology • Importance of building digital literacy • “Technology Pyramid” – provide healthy doses of ‘nourishing’ choices • Limit screens in the bedroom and before bedtime
- 3. Content, Context, Child • Content • Thoughtfully assess apps, rather than just setting time limits • Anything can call itself ‘educational’ • Context • In what context is the app being used? • What role does technology play in the child’s life? • Child • Children have individual developmental needs Guernsey, L. (2012). Screen time: How electronic media-from baby videos to educational software-affects your young child. NewYork: Basic Books. Another great resource: Joan Ganz Cooney Center’s “FamilyTime with Apps” FREE iBook available through itunes or at www.joanganzcooneycenter.org
- 5. Technology and the RealWorld • Quality apps give kids tools that they can’t access in the “real-world” • Make connections between technology and real-life experiences • Educational apps can make connections with school curriculum • Use technology to enhance, not replace real-life experiences. • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnyHMSz7JD
- 6. Swimming in a sea of apps: criteria for choosing quality apps • Option to turn sound/narration on/off • No ads or push-to-buy • Ease of use • Plain, clear, legible fonts • Not busy/distracting • Lasting power • Supports exploration, creativity, interaction • Don’t use an app if there is a better real-life solution • Customize your apps
- 7. App Reviews & Recommendations • Wellesley Free Library http://www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org/Childrens/Apps.html • Common Sense Media: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/ • Reading Rockets: http://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/reading101/literacyapps/ • Parents’ Choice: http://www.parents-choice.org/ • Digital Storytime http://digital-storytime.com/ • Moms with Apps (search tool, not all reviewed) https://momswithapps.com/discover • CTrex from Children’sTech Review (paid service, ltd. free results) http://reviews.childrenstech.com/
- 8. Apps for phonics/spelling: Word Wagon SpellingCity Alpha Writer Endless Wordplay
- 9. Storytelling apps: Draw & Tell HD Toontastic Book Creator Sentence Builder
- 10. Apps for Social Studies: Apps from Kids Discover Barefoot World Atlas State Bingo & Road Trip USA Geography Drive USA News-o-Matic FREE
- 11. Science apps – natural world: On Beyond Bugs Dinosaurs Solar Walk Nat Geo Explorer - FREE
- 12. Science apps – building & coding Toca Builders Hopscotch - FREE Kodable - FREE Tinkerbox - FREE Go Car Go
- 13. Math apps for the younger set: Bedtime Math - FREE Montessori: First operations Wild Kratts Creature Math
- 14. Math apps for the older set: Dragon Shapes - FREE Mystery Math Museum Motion Math Sushi Math
- 15. Questions? My contact information: Clara Hendricks, Children’s Librarian Wellesley Free Library 781-235-1610 x 1108 chendricks@minlib.net www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org