Choosing+apps

Choosing Apps is also closely related to Curating Apps

= Where should we start to choose apps? = No need to have a list of district approved apps. No need to check out every app that somebody else says is a ‘great’ app. If you need a starting point www.appitic.com

=** Where do we want to get? **= Start with a really great question.
 * It is about learning - why we are looking for an app in the first place. **

There is no way to find the best 25 apps, nor should we seek out the best 25 apps. That would be like saying we want to have the best 25 books in our library. We wouldn’t consider a library of 25 books to meet the reading and information needs of the whole school. We also wouldn't decide to look for any new, different, or better ones.
 * App Evaluation **

** Technical considerations **
- What level of internet access is needed Can you provide it? - How many users will use the device? - Does the app require login information – Can it be and should it be memorized? - What is the size of the app? - Does the app allow / require in app purchases? - How will the devices be physically managed and synchronized - Choose your own suite from apps you already own or quickly download a new one to explore.

Additional resources for choosing Apps
Apps and Crapps - http://www.dlc-ubc.ca/wordpress_dlc_mu/lim/year-two-courses/edcp-562-fall-2011/apps-crapps-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-of-apps/

Also [] http://www.Appitic.com - over 1800 evaluated apps with multidimensional criteria Recognizing that we need some criteria when looking at them, we also need to choose and curate with the end in mind.

Educational choosing of the apps?
a self regulated process should be followed: Five areas: // content, // // creativity, // // communication, // // productivity, // // and special education. // Additional Apps are listed at http://iamliterate.wikispaces.com/ /DoTE+Workshop+Notes

Content - Evaluate as a Learning Resource –
Accuracy, Bias, Social Appropriateness, Age, Gender, Curriculum Fit Engagement Instructional Design Learning Styles

Creativity and Communication
Are students able to communicate and improve their communication? Are students able explore and be creative?

Productivity
This is the hardest to suggest as each tool works to best meet the needs of individual work flows. Some colleagues love Evernote, yet it doesn’t do much for me and I won’t pay a subscription fee for the parts I do like. As an educator, there are great supports to our productivity; however, remember that the iPad is not a laptop. If you need a laptop, use one. Since the iPad has extensive features above a laptop, we should focus our student use on extending learning opportunities, not trying to create written output. Special Education This is important to consider as many apps may be inappropriate for special education, regular education, or both. It is also true that there are apps specifically designed for a niche special education purpose.