Handwriting Apps part 2

Handwriting is on my mind again (see my previous post: Handwriting Apps) as summer has started and my children and I have 'appointments' together each day to work on some skills.  For my older boys, it's math facts and reading and writing.  For my 4 year old daughter, it's beginning writing and reading instruction.    The other day she was drawing a picture of her dance class friends and she wrote the names (copied off of a name chart I made) and I took dictation.   She is in the 'strings of letters' writing stage.   I believe children learn letters when they have meaning, so I always start focusing on letters in names.  'Look, Jessie and Brianna and Lily all have an i!'  While she was attempting her 's' I was thinking about the apps I've used in class for handwriting skill practice and I decided to hunt to see if there are any new additions... I found one on my iPad that I had downloaded and not used yet, and another was mentioned on Apps for Children with Special Needs (a4cwsn) and another I downloaded the other day when it was free (I think I saw it mentioned on Facebook or Twitter).  Be sure to read over my previous post about finding free apps.

Finding a good, inexpensive app can be time consuming.  There are lots of apps out there and not all are worth the space on your iDevice or cost.  In my opinion, a good app has to be better than the traditional pencil/paper handwriting book.  It should TEACH, MOTIVATE/be FUN, and offer FEEDBACK.  The ability to adjust the difficulty level is important. One feature I wish all handwriting apps included is the phonics connections.  Say the letter/sound as the child is tracing please!

 

I found Ready to Print, $9.99- iPad only- off a4cwsn.com and was intrigued by the 'prewriting' activities to help develop fine motor skills, as well as the feature of tracing the letter and then writing it on your own.   I requested a code (my iTunes balance is down to pennies now!) and they sent me one to try it out. It has 8 activities plus a free draw option.  Within each activity there are settings to make it easy or challenging (large or small letters, wide or narrow tracing lines)  I would recommend this app for 2-6 year olds as it is great for beginning concepts of printing and good practive of actual writing.  The cost is pretty high for an app I would recommend (especially for the classroom).  However, in perspective, a workbook would cost the same- doesn't give support and is a throw away after used... so in my opinion, it's certainly worth considering.  I will make a few suggestions for their next updates to the developers but this is a really great app already.  In picture 1 and 2, the student uses two fingers to pinch the primary colors together to make a tertiary color (or put a spider in a web).  3 shows the touch/tap with index finger to 'crack' eggs (and other cute actions).  4 has students visually discriminate and match shapes.  5 demonstrates the ability to track student progress- there can be at least two users- (no personal information other than name is collected) and 6 shows setting options.  There is the option to 'lock' the settings so user information can't be erased.  Additionally, there is a 'disappearing back button option' so students have to progress through levels without quitting after one or two). 

One of the best features of the app in my opinion, is the trace/then write option.  First the child stars where an arrow points and goes to the black dot.  If you stay in the line you get a higher accuracy score.  Then, on the right the child is encouraged to draw the line/letter they just practiced with help.  I did find it difficult to know where to begin again after making a mistake.  The sensor seemed a little touchy and was occasionally frustrating,   The developer has made several versions so I imaging/hope they will keep tweaking the app.  My suggestion is to add support/hints when a student pauses, or they are not accurate on where to start and which direction to go.

Little Writer, FREE  is created by Innovative Apps (Grasshopper/AlligatorApps) and I always like their CUSTOMIZABLE apps.  This app is no exception and is a really good free writing app (hint: go get it!).  It works on iPad/iPod/iPhone.  It has a simple homepage and options to write uppercase or lowercase letters, numbers, shapes and words.  Best part- you can add your own pictures/words for your child/students to trace. As you trace it says the letter name, (love that as my students are still learning letter names).  The only other app I've found that allows you to add your own words and have feedback/instruction is Write My Name $1.99, which I wrote about in the other handwriting post.

Repeated from previous post for new readers...

Perhaps you worry about kids learning letters using finger tips rather than pencil grips- I say don't!  You can make your own conductive iPad pens using old markers, conductive wire, conductive sponges and duct tape.  See my instructions, below from an earlier post.   I hadn't seen or heard of a sturdy, inexpensive stylus last fall so I made my own!  My students use them for writing with the iPad.  

 Link to blog post about making your own home-made, cheap, durable stylus.
 

If you're not big on DIY projects, there is a better looking, sturdy, and inexpensive option available now- the AppCrayon might be for you.

The shape of the AppCrayon is a gentle triangle, perfect for training youngsters into using the correct pencil grip.

The material feels like a soft rubber, and unlike my homemade stylus, is conductive from almost any area. AppCrayon

iPads in K: Durability and Cost

Recently I was asked to speak on the podcast EduMatters about using technology (primarily we talked about iPads) in my classroom.  One of the questions by the producers asked about the cost of iPads and whether it was a good use of funds.  I wanted to share my two cents with you. 

The basic iPad + case cost our school about $530.  I assume we paid taxes, and didn't get a discount, so lets say about $600 when you factor tax and the few paid apps.  $600 is a lot of money of course.  However, since all iPads survived their 2nd year in kindergarten they will have at least a 3 year life span, the cost would end up being $200 per student.  If they make it another year, it would be less, but for now let's assume over 3 years that cost is $200 per student.  Still a lot of money right?

However...

I did not purchase math workbooks, handwriting or reading workbooks this year (although I did use some blackline masters for reading)... instead I used mostly free apps for skill practice; savings of $40 per student for workbooks/per year ($120 over three years).   That alone would pay for the majority of the cost of iPads over the three years.  Additionally, I did not need new whiteboards, markers or erasers (I usually have to get several new boards a year, a class set every couple of years- say $4 per student, $80-100 every few years).  Sketchio is a free whiteboard app I use instead.  I didn't need new markers at all this year and I would usually go through about 6-10 boxes at approximately $5 each; Savings $30-50 per year. 

Before the class set of iPads the primary classes battled for computer lab time with the older classes and we were talking buying a new mobile lab- problem averted as now k-2 has iPads for much less than a mobile lab would have cost.  We still use the library Mac lab as I want my kids familiar with computer skills too; so we go in when it's not used by another class.

My students have been using the iPads for two years and (knock on wood) none of them have been damaged.  Some that were hand me downs are slightly damaged by the high school students who had them first.  Not to say some iPads weren't dropped occasionally, but a good cover protected them when they did fall.  I never had screen covers and other than a few small scratches the screens have been fine too.  I scratched my personal iPad within my first month of ownership (I think my diamond ring was responsible).

So, if you factor in the cost savings of the workbooks (which I always hated using anyhow) the whiteboards, and not having to purchase a lab of computers (or maintain them), the iPads are a really good deal right?   Especially when I consider the value of engagement, ease of differentiation, and incredible learning I saw the children experience over the last two years,  Certainly they are worth the investment to me, at least.  I'm curious what you think! 

Toca Robot FREE right now! Toca Train now available!

Toca Boca creates wonderful, playful apps.  They are an immediate download for my personal iDevices and I love their free mini-apps (Toca Hair Christmas and Toca Kitchen Monsters) for my classroom iPads- the kids LOVE them too and right now, Toca Robot is FREE as they announce the  launch of Toca Train. So I encourage you to grab Toca Robot today while it's free and give Toca Train a try too- mine is downloading.  I told my 4 yr old about a new Toca game coming last week and she has been asking if it's ready yet every day since!

Privacy and protecting ourselves and our children

A colleague shared a disturbing article about the Teach Me Series, link here (picture is from iTunes store NOT my classroom! :) today at my school.  The Teach Me Kindergarten App is one of my favorite educational apps, they have made a series of apps designed for toddlers through second grade.

Apparently kids photos, and first and last name as well as device information have been sent to a third party site. Luckily it is optional in the program, my students only have their first name entered, and with the iPad1 you can't take photos so my kids info was protected.  I feel very let down by this company and it is a reminder to the consumer/teacher we need to be vigilant to ensure that the very apps that are 'helping' aren't also potentially harming our students or children. 

If you use the Teach Me Series, or plan on using it be sure to not use your last name or use your child's picture. I am disappointed to hear about this and I sincerely hope that the security lapse was unintentional. It is a great reminder though about protecting the children's privacy as well as our own.

 This week as well, LinkedIn, a service for adults, announced 6 million passwords were stolen, and as my husband, the techie says- "it is best to have different passwords for all your different school, home and online accounts.  I know it is a pain to remember them all but if you have a few you like to use and change each one a little bit you will be safer in the long run.  A reminder that you should use at least 8 characters with upper and lower case, numbers and symbols.   Here is more info on the LinkedIn leak:"

http://lifehacker.com/5916177/65-million-linkedin-accounts-may-be-compromised-change-your-password-now