Finding Apps

Rose McKenzieAssistive Technology

Jackson County ISD Jackson, MI

November, 2013

iPad Resources

• http://ipadsandyou.pbworks.com– Rose’s spot for saving iPad info– Beginning users see: Getting Started

Finding Apps

Sites• Smartappsforkids.com

– Good free apps

• Yappguru.com– Aimed at SLPs– But covers reading, writing +

• Applesliced.com/apps

• Appshopper.com– My first choice

Apps

• KinderTown

• Autism Apps

• AppZapp

• Apps Gone Free

• Discovr Apps

AppShopper

• Sign up• http://appshopper.com/

Finding Apps• AppShopper

– www.appshopper.com– Includes News, Top 200 & Wish List– To make Wish List• Enter name of app in search bar• In list check “Want it!” box• Be sure to check desired Notification in My Profile• An email will notify you of wish list update or price

drop

Sign in here

Search for apps here

Be sure to consider which device format you need

Check to add to wish list

AppShopper

• Method to my shopping madness– Put anything I hear is good in my wish/want list– Buy nothing unless it’s on sale– Wait for Free– Unless I REALLY want the app• And it has never been on sale or free before

– Check its history in Appshopper

• Then buy when the price drops

App Friday

It’s a website It’s an app

Go to the Download Center to get the apps

App Friday – Download Center

Takes you to video about app

Takes you to iTunes or App Store

Starbucks

• With the prices they charge you deserve something free

• So pick up a card for a free song or app– No calories ;-)

Four Methods for Finding Apps

Finding Apps

• The Friends approach– Like choosing good books• Word of mouth• Other teachers in your field

One of MY friend’s site

• http://ipadsinclass.weebly.com/index.html - by Macomb's AT Consultant, Sue Hardin– Educationally sound– Visually appealing

Finding Apps

• Guided by the stars• Ratings– at least 4 + stars– so many to choose from, why use less?– Use less than 4 star apps only for a narrow or

specific need• When you can’t find any other apps

Finding apps

Guided by the Stars

5 star app with 4-15 reviews

4 star app with 200+ reviews

Vs.

Finding apps on your own

• Internet search for apps– Search ‘Best ___ apps’ • as in ‘Best web browser apps’ or ‘Best app for word

prediction’ • Likely to find several best of articles• Keep in mind date of article• Look at app found on several lists

Choosing apps using iTunes• On the computer in iTunes– Note last date app was updated, • Apps not kept up-to-date should not be a priority

– Consider number of reviews for the app• 5 star app with only 4-15 reviews may not be as

good as a 4 star app with 200+ reviews

– Skim latest reviews looking for any problems with last update, then sort by critical reviews• Critical reviews can alert you to issues that may or

may not be a concern for your student’s needs

Choosing apps using App Store

• On the iPad in the Apps Store enter the name or type of app in the search bar.– Use headings to filter search by device, price,

category• Remember to search in more than education

– Not my preferred way to search– Rating, Relevance, Popularity, Release date• In order of my preference

Heard about an app but can’t find it in iTunes?

Check the iPad/iPhone drop downNot all apps are available in both

so try the other oneApps available in both are ‘Universal’

Less shows moreshorten the name you searched

Heard about an app but can’t find it in iTunes?

•Try searching online•Google and other web search engines are generally more forgiving of inexact titles or wording • Give you broader responses in their search

Lists of Apps

– Special Needs Apps for Kids: Find an App http://www.snapps4kids.com/find-an-app/

– Apps for Children with Special Needs http://a4cwsn.com/

– iPodsibilities - Adaptive Needs http://www.ipodsibilities.com/iPodsibilities/macATtac.html

– Moms with Apps http://momswithapps.com/

Lists of Apps

– Mobile Learning for Special Needs http://mobilelearning4specialneeds.wikispaces.com/

– Autism Spectrum Directory iPads and apps http://blog.autismspectrumdirectory.com/category/ipad-and-iphone-apps-for-autism-spectrum-disorder/

– MITS Apps from their iEducate workshop series: http://mits.cenmi.org/Resources/ArchivedMaterialsResources.aspx • Look under ‘Presentations’