raising ‘app y’ learners 12.5.14
TRANSCRIPT
Raising ‘App-y’ LearnersApps to support school-aged children
Clara Hendricks, Children’s LibrarianWellesley Free LibraryDecember 5, 2014
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 usingtechnology
• “Technology Pyramid” – provide healthy doses of‘nourishing’ choices
• Limit screen time before bed
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. New York: Basic Books.
Infographic by Heather Hopp-Bruce from bostonglobe.com. Find full article at http://bit.ly/1rm9yp1
Technology and the Real World
• Quality apps give kids tools that they can’t access in the “real-world”
• Make connections between technology and real-life experiences
• Use technology to enhance, not replace real-life experiences.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnyHMSz7JDE
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
App Reviews & Recommendations
• Wellesley Free Libraryhttp://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
Apps for phonics/spelling:
Word Wagon
Wurdle
Alpha Writer
The Electric Company Wordball- FREE
Storytelling apps:
Draw & Tell HD Toontastic
Book Creator
Sentence Builder
Apps for Social Studies:
Apps from Kids DiscoverBarefoot World Atlas
State Bingo & Road Trip USAGeography Drive USA
News-o-MaticFREE
Science apps – natural world:
On Beyond Bugs
DinosaursSolar Walk
Nat Geo Explorer - FREE
Science apps – building & coding
Toca Builders
Hopscotch - FREE
Kodable - FREE
Tinkerbox - FREE
Math apps for the younger set:
Bedtime Math - FREE
Montessori: First operations
Wild Kratts Creature Math
Math apps for the older set:
Dragon Shapes - FREE
Mystery Math Museum Motion Math
Questions?
My contact information:
Clara Hendricks, Children’s LibrarianWellesley Free Library781-235-1610 x [email protected]