23 Mobile Things: Thing 17

I tried NNC Now as a "local" resource.  My first impression was influenced by spelling errors (Chisolm)! The radar was interesting.  The news was for the Iron Range, Duluth, and Wisconsin; not really "local" for us.

I then looked at upnorthexplorer.  I tried to search for events at the DECC, but wasn't successful.  Many of the links were for Wisconsin.  Because our location is on the edge between Regions, there isn't much coverage applicable to us.  These sites are interesting if one has time on his/her hands, but I don't see a lot of personal or professional use of them by me.  Most of the info I can get from other sources I already access.  The other apps didn't interest me as they weren't about topics or areas I NEED to know about on a frequent basis (I'm trying to prevent information overload).

I plan to keep the apps for awhile to see if I access them.  Maybe I'll find that the news is fun to read or the radar/weather is a fast, handy resource--who knows??!

23 Mobile Things: Thing 20

I tried several of the games.  Bubble Mania is fun and is good for color recognition for young students. I didn't know what the "lagoon" or "boosts" were for as I don't play many online games and I didn't want to get into any purchases accidentally.

I played Candy Crush a few times.  I know others who love it, but I don't seem to really get the point!

I found "Frogger Free" to be really frustrating!  I couldn't figure out if the tap or slide option works better.  I made it across the street, but always died in the river. :(

The ads were annoying in Word Collapse.  It took me a couple of tries to figure out the game as I thought it was a "word scramble" at first.

I couldn't find Word Warp in the app store, but loaded Word Warp Extreme (maybe the same thing?).  I didn't really care for it.  Some of the words aren't words in a typical dictionary.  I also didn't like the ads, and you have to pay to avoid them.

The game I play is Sudoku by Finger Arts.  It is addicting!  There are levels of easy to expert, and a few other options.  It's great for anyone who enjoys Sudoku and it's free.  I love it!

The games are fun.  I try to limit my time at electronic games though, as it takes time away from other things, especially READING!!

23 Mobile Things: Thing 19

We love to travel, so I tried the RoadNinja app.  The "Tour" button wouldn't work, so I had to try it without direction (no pun intended).  It took me several tries before it would give me any info.  Probably because we are in a rural area, it wasn't much help when not on the road!  The nearest exits were over 200 miles away (perhaps it only does Interstates?).  I will try it this summer if we travel.  We have a Garmin and it would be interesting to see which is more helpful.

I checked out the ESPN SportsCenter app and put in a couple of favorite teams.  I personally don't follow any closely these days, but I will show the app to a known sports lover and see what he thinks.  I'm anticipating that he will love it!

Finally, I loaded the Spotify app.  I had some difficulties at first getting back to previous screens and finding the + button, but loved the app once I could navigate it better.  I started a playlist.  I also asked students in study hall to write down their favorite songs (ones without swear words) in order to make up a playlist to play quietly in Media Center during study halls and non-elementary times, especially as we wind down toward the end of the school year.  Are there any copyright issues with using this app in a classroom (until I know that, I won't post the list or put links to it)?

23 Mobile Things: Thing 15

Although Infographics may be fun, I'm not sure I have a crucial need for them.  I already use PicCollage which can do similar, basic things.  I enjoyed looking at celebrity home stats and read about public wifi dangers under Infographics Hub.  The tutorial for I Visual Info Touch Lite wouldn't run and I couldn't find the photo option to add pics.  I didn't like the idea that graphics have to be completed " in one sitting" and can't be edited later.  

Visualize Free had some great options, but the directions were lengthy!  I also question copyright issues when copying pictures or text from the Internet into a graphic and then possibly sharing it online?

I don't plan on using these apps at this time, but it's nice to know they exist in case I discover a need for them "down the road."

I did like the link for the most famous books by state; I didn't know about that list.  I was happy to see that I have read a good share of the books on it!  😀

23 Mobile Things: Thing 14

I would first like to say that the camera function on my iPad includes video capability that is easy to use, including sound.  I have used it to record and it works well.

Whenever I try new apps, if I can't figure out basic steps easily, I don't like to take the time to dig when there are so many other options.  Technology for my use is to make things easier; I don't care to spend my free time on electronics.  So, that said, I thought I would try Socialcam as there were no limits on length and it included soundtracks.  It would not load, possibly due to worksite filters.  I tried at home later and there was someone else's password entered! I didn't really care for it's ability to "follow people" as that's not something I do.  I deleted the app.

I tried Vine, but the first thing I tapped started a fairly loud video clip filled with swear words.  Deleted that app, too.

I was hesitant to use Magisto because of the limits on "free" accounts.  I didn't want to get into an app that was constantly promoting sales.  However, I gave it a try and LOVED it!  I don't have enough interesting photos on my iPad to make a good video, but I loved the ease (user friendliness) of the app and think I will try some fun videos after I load some pics.  I did create 3 fun videos with the stuff I had. It is so easy to use and it's great fun to pick soundtracks, etc., and see what movie is created.

23 Mobile Things: Thing 13

I tried Haiku Deck, but got very frustrated when images seemed to load themselves into my deck and I couldn't find a way to delete individual images (just whole decks).  I ended just deleting the whole app. :(  I then played around with EduCreations, which I already had an app for on my iPad.  I find it easier to manipulate and recorded a "welcome" message with images of a few past Media Center displays (just for fun practice!). I was interested in Deck Slideshow, but ran into some difficulty loading it and gave up.  Maybe another time!  

I do hope to integrate EduCreations into my Media Skills lessons at some point, but haven't found a good fit yet.  It is much easier for students to see images projected straight from my computer than to see the smaller mirrored iPad image, so I try to use the iPad more for student projects vs teacher presentations (although I do know, and sometimes use, creations from my iPad sent to my computer!).

I could possibly use EduCreations for a slideshow for a child's graduation or to put together narrated stories of some of our trips.  That would be a great way to preserve memories!

23 Mobile Things: Thing 12

I did not try Wattpad as I don't have time to engage in social media.  Free Books has a fantastic selection ability for teaching genres and for English class book assignments.  I found it difficult to maneuver within books such as trying to get to a specific fable within Aesop's, but perhaps if I read the directions more in-depth, it would be easier.  The audio capacity appeared to require a purchase.

iStory was fun.  It was slow in downloading and the "what is your name?" beginnings were annoying, but there were some fantastic possibilities to use in teaching genres (folk tales, for example).  I attempted to use one with our Kindergarten class today, but the sound was bad (too quiet).  Could have been due to mirroring the iPad to screen and our Red Cat sound system doesn't pick up iPad sound well...not sure.  

Audiobooks would be nice for some, but I found it too difficult to find one story within a group, eg. within "American Fairy Tales" when looking for a specific one.  It was also cumbersome to avoid purchasing something.

YALSA Teen Book Finder will be helpful as I'm in the process of compiling book orders for next year.  Our policy requires 2 positive professional reviews for each title purchased and this app gives this type of info.  The book covers were slow in loading for some titles (some didn't load at all), and when I searched by Title, results said "book not found" even though I could find that title under "search by award."  It appeared that the app could use some upgrading, but offers a nice option to find promising books.