What mobile applications do you use for learning?

[DianeFuentes]

Hello! I'm sure there are other tech-savvy moms out there. Do you use your mobile devices like your iPhones, iPads or Android tablets and phones to install applications that can be used for learning or fun? Here's a list of my installed apps, I hope you can share some of yours too.

1. Kids Math Fun (Free)

2. Pocket Penguins

3. Paint Sparkles Draw

4. Picturizr

5. Pre-K Letters and Numbers

I also downloaded the Cowboys vs Aliens: The Kids educational App Book that costs $1.99. All the other apps are free.

[moominmamma]

We're not much into edutainment in my family. My kids prefer their learning straight-up; somehow they feel that attempts to dress it up in games is hypocritical.  They like games, but they don't like them to have an educational agenda. That's not to say that they don't learn a lot from games, but they don't like the ones whose primary aim is to encourage learning. Also, my kids are older, all 6th grade level and up.

So anyway, our eudcational mobile apps are mostly reference things, or tools. Here are those that are on the iPad:

1. Starwalk. Amazing reference/guide for astronomy / stargazing.

2. iBird. Excellent nature guide for birding. We've had success using the audio calls to "talk" to birds also, which is fun.

3. MathBot. A mark-up program for creating math equations that can be imported into various documents as gifs. Very difficult to create complex algebraic equations on a tablet or computer without a utility like this.

4. Calculator. I forget which one. A simple scientific calculator. Always handy to have available.

5. How Stuff Works. We love the podcasts and the blogs for "Stuff You Should Know," "Tech Stuff," "Stuff You Missed in History Class," "Brain Stuff" and others. This app gives us a central place to easily explore all the HSW content.

Miranda

[OTMomma]

I have downloadaed a toon of educational apps to my iPad, and various games for fun. Some of our favorites:
Stack the states
Presidents vs. Aliens
Scrabble (this one was more money than I pay for most, but it does make it so dd and I can play to reinforce her spelling and not have to worry about the little ones stealing the letter tiles)
Word Bingo- for early readers
Math Bingo
Teach me Kindergarten
Spooky Playtime - cute for the preschool set
BrainPop
PBS kids

I have had good luck with finding apps for each of my kids on various stuff, and we have a number of fun ones that are logic or problem solving like
Cut the rope
Slice it
Bubble ball

[DianeFuentes]

Originally Posted by moominmamma 

We're not much into edutainment in my family. My kids prefer their learning straight-up; somehow they feel that attempts to dress it up in games is hypocritical.  They like games, but they don't like them to have an educational agenda. That's not to say that they don't learn a lot from games, but they don't like the ones whose primary aim is to encourage learning. Also, my kids are older, all 6th grade level and up.

So anyway, our eudcational mobile apps are mostly reference things, or tools. Here are those that are on the iPad:

1. Starwalk. Amazing reference/guide for astronomy / stargazing.

2. iBird. Excellent nature guide for birding. We've had success using the audio calls to "talk" to birds also, which is fun.

3. MathBot. A mark-up program for creating math equations that can be imported into various documents as gifs. Very difficult to create complex algebraic equations on a tablet or computer without a utility like this.

4. Calculator. I forget which one. A simple scientific calculator. Always handy to have available.

5. How Stuff Works. We love the podcasts and the blogs for "Stuff You Should Know," "Tech Stuff," "Stuff You Missed in History Class," "Brain Stuff" and others. This app gives us a central place to easily explore all the HSW content.

Miranda

Thanks so much, Miranda! I'm sure my brother, who's a bit older will appreciate How Stuff Works. Is this app free?
 

[DianeFuentes]

Originally Posted by OTMomma 

I have downloadaed a toon of educational apps to my iPad, and various games for fun. Some of our favorites:
Stack the states
Presidents vs. Aliens
Scrabble (this one was more money than I pay for most, but it does make it so dd and I can play to reinforce her spelling and not have to worry about the little ones stealing the letter tiles)
Word Bingo- for early readers
Math Bingo
Teach me Kindergarten
Spooky Playtime - cute for the preschool set
BrainPop
PBS kids

I have had good luck with finding apps for each of my kids on various stuff, and we have a number of fun ones that are logic or problem solving like
Cut the rope
Slice it
Bubble ball

Ooh, these are wonderful for kindergarten kids! Will definitely download these. Spooky Playtime is so cute!!!

[moominmamma]

Originally Posted by DianeFuentes 

Thanks so much, Miranda! I'm sure my brother, who's a bit older will appreciate How Stuff Works. Is this app free?

Yes, it's free. 

Miranda

[ChitownTracy]

Ooh we love stack the states
My dd loves math puppy
Math series ( sequencing numbers adjustable levels make it enjoyable for 4 & 6 yr old)
Patterning (3-5 yrs)
Word magic
Spelling test
Hangman
Art puzzles
Quell (great logic game)
Ten drops 2 fun physics game


I will have to look up the other games suggested