Miscellaneous

One of the interesting aspects of the introduction of the iPad is that software developers have an opportunity to create new and innovative apps. Some of these defy easy categorisation and can be used to engage learners with their tactile mix of touch, sound and movement. Others may be game based with some educational value whilst many can be used for research and reference purposes. There are also some apps here which might be useful for wet break-times and just good for engaging learners.

Mousefish (free)

Little flip book for very young children using lovely illustrations to mix and match different animals.

Jigs 2 (£2.99)

Takes any image from the iPad photo library and turns it into a simple or difficult jigsaw.

Guinness World Records (£2.99)

Interactive iPad version of the famous book - comes with photos, videos and games.

Epic Citadel (free)

Fantasy 3D world showing off the graphics capabilities of the iPad - good for story/poem ideas.

Sound Touch (free/£2.49)

App for very young children to learn about sounds via photographs - simple and engaging.

Chronolite (free)

Useful little app which creates up to 4 individual timers - counting up and down.

Converter (£0.69)

Straightforward unit converter which covers just about every field you might need in a school.

Thought Bubbles (£0.69)

Makes simple and quick visual bubbles with text inside - only in black and white.

iSpy Cameras (£0.69)

Amazing app which accesses live feed from CCTV cameras around the world - saves still to camera roll.

Mini Adventures - Animals (£0.69)

Really good encyclopaedia of animals with plenty of photographs and videos to keep learners engaged.

Gyroscope (free)

Uses the 3-axis gyro in the iPad to give a good visual reading of pitch, roll and yaw with digital read out.

Pictello (£13.49)

Makes talking photo albums and books using pictures, text and a recorded narration.

Daisy the Dinosaur (free)

Really good basic computer programming app aimed at younger children.

Storylines for Schools (free)

Engaging app which has multiple players writing and drawing - bit like iPad Chinese Whispers!

The Legend of Momotaro (£1.99)

Graphically rich story of the Japanese legend of Momotaro - some American language.

Architizer (free)

Gives access to the Architizer web site and database of new and innovative building design.

Egyptian Hieroglyphs (£1.99)

In-depth analysis of the language of ancient Egyptians including a hieroglyphic typewriter.

Move the Turtle (£1.99)

Like Daisy the Dinosaur above, this introduces simple programming to younger learners.

Telling Time (£0.69)

Straightforward app for younger people learning to tell the time - slightly corny American voice.

Ocean Blue (£0.69)

Immersive underwater app which explores a small number of fish and their environment.

Khan Academy (free)

App which gives direct links to the online range of Khan Academy educational videos.

Thinking Thingamabob (free + in-app)

Potentially a very useful app for generating new ideas - bit limited without the in-app purchases.

The Decision App (£2.99)

Provides a number of useful decision making models which could be productive in some learning settings.

Castlerama (free)

Similar to Epic Citadel above - able to wander around an Italian style town - controls a tad fiddly.

Magic Plan (free + in app)

Not aimed at education but could be put to good use within a project looking a design, dimensions, etc.

iPrompt Pro (free)

Great little app which acts as a tele-prompter for reading scripts for video, podcasts, etc..

iDT HD (free)

Dictionary of design and technology terms with photos and diagrams.

Morse Code Training (£2.99)

Fun morse code app with built-in game - good for when studying World War II in KS2.

Create a Car (£0.69)

Fun app for building various vehicles and has nice graphics and sounds - good for fine motor control.

Porchester Junior School (free)

I rarely put iPhone/iPod Touch apps on here but this is a very good example of a school web app.

Pottery HD (£2.99)

This virtual potter’s wheel app will engage & enthuse learners of all ages - sell pots in virtual auction.

Think 3D (free/£0.69)

Engaging app which enables learners to visually better understand 3D objects - 69p loses ads.

Scan (free)

Straightforward QR code scanning app which uses the rear camera & usefully keeps a history of scans.

123D Sculpt (free + in app purchases)

Interesting app which allows the manipulation of 3D objects including the addition of photos.

Henry’s Spooky Headlamp (free)

Simple and fun app which involves finding objects on screen - could help with fine motor control.

Soundala Play (£1.49)

Visualiser app similar to the one built into iTunes - can also be triggered by built-in microphone.

Personal Stement App (£2.99)

Designed specifically to help with the personal statement needed for UCAS applications in the UK.

Timerange (free/£0.69)

Simple app for calculating chronological dat between dates - useful for working out lengths of wars, etc.

Energy Flow (free)

Off the wall video montage app which creates short films of mixed imagery - idea stimulating - 12+.

Arqspin (free)

Clever app which enables the creation of 3D videos of small objects - best with rotating stand & tripod.

Jigsaw Box (free + in-app)

Creates jigsaws from built-in images or Camera Roll from 8 to 252 pieces - in-app buys more images.