Mobile Devices and Apps: Some Personal Cons & Educational Pros

Image Acquired by securedgenetworks.com

There are multitudes of apps available on the web today.  Apps that range from pure enjoyment, to those that are educational.  Many of the game-type apps are so enjoyable, in fact, that they can become addictive. People can often times spend a great deal of money on acquiring apps or features within them.  There are even those who would dispute that the possible habit-forming natures of these apps are much the same to that of other addictive activities and can cause some players to overlook important responsibilities.

Just recently, a close family member related to me their own example of this addiction to a popular game app.  He had been introduced to this app on a well-known social networking site.  He became enthralled with the game during a time he could not work due to a disability.  He found himself playing this game more and more.  As the days went on, he told me of how he would go back to the game every hour in order to earn more money, and buy more items to build his city. Soon after, he made an online purchase in order to "earn" more money to make his city bigger.  He continued to play the game around the clock.  Just last week, after a couple of months of playing the game daily, he admitted that he had to stop playing the game because he realized he was spending way too much of his time on it.  He also said that he knew once he was back to work he could not continue to maintain that level of play.

 

I personally have avoided games and many social networking sites.  Why?  Because I saw others get so engrossed in those activities, that I didn't even want to begin to get involved in them.  A couple pieces of advice to anyone who is considering any of these types of apps: Excercise caution, discretion, and self-control.  Beware, lest you get drawn in beyond what is beneficial for your life.  In God's Word (Proverbs 3:21) I am told, "My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion."

Now, on another note: With the emergence of the smart phone and tablet over the past several years, applications (apps) can now be used on smaller devices and with a fraction of the cost that was once linked with these kinds of devices.  Diverse amounts of apps that are available today are designed primarily for educational use, offering differing levels of interaction and content rich material.  In addition, there are also apps that are designed to provide adjustments for students with special needs. These apps are very beneficial in the classroom as they provide supplemental activities and material. 

 

In surfing the web, I have found many apps that I would love to use in my classroom.  I believe they would enhance the content, as well as be fun and educational for the students.  I'd like to share several of them with you . . . Oh, and feel free to leave your favorites in my comment box at the end of my blog!

 

One of my favorite units to teach in my K4 classroom was on the nighttime sky.  I (along with the help of my husband and daughter) would put hundreds of glow-in-the-dark stars on the classroom ceiling and upper portions of the walls.  I'd also pitch a tent in the classroom where we'd hold some of our lessons.  When the kids came in they were surprised and excited over our cool nighttime sky, complete with a few well-known constellations.  Now that I have my tablet, using Google Sky Map would be so fun to add to the material.  Check it out and see what you think! 

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6znyx0gjb4&feature=player_embedded

  

 

How Rocket Learned to Read

 

As described on the website below, this "New York Times Bestselling picture book that is teaching kids to read is now available as a playful interactive iPad app. Featuring the original story and artwork by Tad Hills, with delightful animations, lots of interactivity and two additional games to play will make this a captivating app. Children will be able to make Rocket jump and wag his tail, blow leaves off of a tree, draw letters in the snow, play in the mud and uncover other surprises. The two additional games ALPHABET DROP and BIRD’S WORDS will help children hone their letter skills and learn to spell sight words.

Here is an app that will promote reading in young children, individual words are highlighted as the story is read.

TWO WAYS TO READ:

- Watch and listen as words are highlighted while the story is read aloud by Hope Davis.
- Turn off the narration and read at your own pace. Tap on the words to hear them read back to you." 

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/how-rocket-learned-to-read/id410674362?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Math Bingo
 

Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division have never been more fun. The object of Math Bingo is to get a pattern of five Bingo Bugs in a row by correctly answering math problems. Math problems are presented at the top of the game screen. Feedback is presented at the bottom of the game screen. Correct solutions to problems answered incorrectly will be displayed.

 

 

://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-bingo/id371338715?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

 

 

Intro to Letters, by Montessorium

 

Children can learn to trace, read, write and record letter sounds, names, and phonograms, based on the proven methodology of Montessori.

CHILDREN WILL LEARN:
✔ Basic foundations of language
✔ To read, write and understand letters from a-z
✔ Lowercase letter symbols and their sounds (phonics)
✔ Phonograms - writing and pronunciation
✔ Capital letters - letter names, writing and pronunciation
✔ Consonants and vowels
✔ Fine motor skills

 

 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/intro-to-letters-by-montessorium/id387232375?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

 

*Kidroid

 

(*Please be patient as this site opens; it may take awhile.)

 

Kidroid is an educational game for kids of ages between 3 and 5 years, it improves their recognition skills. With Kidroid, you can teach your kids how to match images, read or listen to an object name and match it with its image.

 

 

Image acquired from migrantsoul.net

 

 

These educational apps were found on the following two websites:

 

http://www.onlinedegrees.org/top-25-android-apps-for-education/
http://www.apple.com/education/apps/

 

Copyright and Fair Use: As a Christian, What's the Bottom Line?

Image Acquired from http://www.businesswings.co.uk

 

Before addressing the importance of observing Copyright and Fair Use, I feel that it's important to define the terms correctly. I have to admit, before this topic was recently presented to me, I did not understand much of it.  Some aspects are still confusing and unclear but, certainly worth taking a closer look at.  I have also included a video clip at the end of this page that may help you to understand these concepts more fully.

According to Bing.com, copyright is defined as, "creative artist's control of original work: the legal right of creative artists or publishers to control the use and reproduction of their original works."

Fair use, according to law.yourdictionary.com, in relation to copyright laws, is defined as, "the doctrine that one may use a small portion of a copyrighted work without the author’s permission, in scholarly works, reviews, or other contexts where the use is considered reasonable and limited."

Now that the two terms have been clearly defined, are they relevant to us as educators?  And more importantly, how imperative is it to adhere to these laws if we are Christian educators?  Why is it important to observe copyright law?  Why is it important to exercise fair use properly?  After all, abiding by them completely and exclusively is very difficult and can be very frustrating as well. To understand, let alone follow, the letter of the law when it comes to copyrighting, is a daunting task. 

Many people, Christian educators among them, question the importance of following copyright law and fair use.  Their thinking is that the owner of the copyrighted work is making enough money from their work, so why does it matter?  Other educators may presume that no other teacher or school has been sued for what they want to do, so why worry about it. And countless other teachers think that copyright law is ridiculous because they are just using the information or images to put together interesting lessons for their students.

Copyright law was written and implemented for a reason. From my understanding, the purpose of copyright law is not so much to protect the interests of the authors/creators as it is to promote learning and creativity.  By adhering to copyright law we promote creativity, and provide people with the incentive to create, whether it be music, written work, or art.  Additionally, by following copyright law, we are supporting capitalism in that those who have created a particular work are able to make money from it, whereas, otherwise it might not be possible.  Even though it is not the main reason for the law, another important factor in following copyright law is that we are supporting the creator and giving them credit for what they have created, and preventing others from taking what was produced by someone else and getting credit for it. 
 
Aside from the legal consequences, a couple of things to bear in mind when considering the potential use of copyrighted material, are the viewpoints of both the owner and the user of the copyrighted material. From the perspective of the owner, ask yourself what kind of respect and adherence of copyright law would you want others to follow? Additionally, from the frame of reference of the user, ask yourself what kind of consideration and compliance you should follow if you are going to use another person's copyrighted material. Also ask yourself how it would affect you if someone stole your original work without your permission to make money. When you approach the situation in this manner you show that you are putting into practice Matthew 7:12, which says, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you . . . ", and that you are taking into account the ethics of trust (in anyone who may be given the chance to use your material) and respect (for the rights of others). 

According to the Bible, in Romans 14:12, we are told, "So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God."  This verse tells me that if I knowingly choose to infringe on a copyright law, I am held accountable before God, irregardless of whether or not anyone else is aware that I have done so.  I am also told in 2 Corinthians 8:21, "For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man."  Not only should I do what is right in the eyes of God, but also my fellow man.  In closing, Ephesians 4:25, states, " . . . put off falsehood . . . "  We are to be straight and honest with others and do what is right. That is my bottom line.  What is yours?