Speak it! Text to Speech

Works with:  iPad, iPhone, iPod

Price:  $1.99

Link:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/speak-it!-text-to-speech/id308629295?mt=8

Curriculum areas:  Language (English), Math, Science, Social Studies (incl. History/Geography), PhysEd/Health, Special Education

Strengths:  Reading, Writing

Grades:  Kindergarten, Primary (Gr. 1 - 3), Junior (Gr. 4 - 6), Intermediate (Gr. 7-10), Senior (Gr. 11 - 12)

Description:  This is an assistive technology app that allows users to copy text from any other app (i.e. browser, text editor, etc.) and have it read to them. 

Although this feature is built in to the iPad 2, using it demands modifying how you interact with the iPad (i.e. use different numbers of fingers to open apps, etc.).

The four built in voices are pretty good and you can change the voice volume and speed.

Initial usefulness rating: 2

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Dropbox

Works with:  iPad, iPhone, iPod

Price:  $Free

Link:  http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/dropbox/id327630330?mt=8

Curriculum areas:  Language (English), Math, Science, Social Studies (incl. History/Geography), French, PhysEd/Health, Art, Special Education

Strengths:  Collaboration, Content/Resources, Teacher Tools

Grades:  Junior (Gr. 4 - 6), Intermediate (Gr. 7-10), Senior (Gr. 11 - 12), Teachers/Administrators

Description:  Dropbox (www.dropbox.com) is an online web tool that gives users 2 GB of online storage space.  Files (documents, pictures, etc.) are stored online but can be synced between many devices as well as accessed through their website. 

This tool allow teachers to both share resources out to students (i.e. push out a text, graphic organizer or other file) and gives students and teachers a place to save their work. 

The primary advantage of Dropbox in relation to iOS devices, is that it gives teachers and students a way to get content off of the iPad.  This is particularly important in multi-user environments (like most of our schools).  Any work uploaded to Dropbox can then be accessed by the teacher through another portable device (not just iOS - Blackberry, etc. also work) or a desktop computer.

Another strong feature of Dropbox that makes it worth using is that many other apps work with Dropbox.  For example, Explain Everything and Docs to Go, allow you to access and save your work in Dropbox.

Dropbox can easily upload anything saved in the Camera Roll.

Initial usefulness rating: 5


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Explain Everything

Works with:  iPad

Price:  $2.99

Link:  http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/explain-everything/id431493086?mt=8

Curriculum areas:  Language (English), Math, Science, Social Studies (incl. History/Geography), French, PhysEd/Health, French

Strengths:  Creative, Content/Resources

Grades:  Junior (Gr. 4 - 6), Intermediate (Gr. 7-10), Teachers

Description:  This is a powerful creative app that can be used for many purposes.  Explain everything is a whiteboard tool that allows users to integrate photos, web pages etc. into their whiteboard.  Students can add text, draw, add shapes, etc. across multiple whiteboard surfaces.  In addition, they can record voiceover as they talk through the solution to a problem, make judgements and explain their evidence for them using the tool.  Student presentations can be saved as movie files on the iPad or exported to Dropbox allowing a teacher to view them from a desktop.

Initial usefulness rating: 5


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