Mrs. Harsh's Favorite Apps
If you have made it to this page, you are probably one of the people who have asked my opinion about which educational Apps I would recommend for iPads. I believe that sometimes "less is more". This page is meant as a quick reference for parents and educators, but before you read, keep the following points in mind.
1. I am not saying that these are the "Best Apps". They are the ones that work best for me. Use what works for you and your student.
2. I am a die-hard Google Drive fan. This is the storage system our district uses. Students already have an account that is managed by the school, so teachers and students can create and share files with each other. The Apps in my list can be used with Google Drive without having to copy text, or send emails.
If an app doesn't play nice with Drive, it does not make the top of my list.
3. There are thousands of Apps available and their features are constantly being updated, so my answer tomorrow may be different than my answer today. :-)
Mrs. Harsh
1. I am not saying that these are the "Best Apps". They are the ones that work best for me. Use what works for you and your student.
2. I am a die-hard Google Drive fan. This is the storage system our district uses. Students already have an account that is managed by the school, so teachers and students can create and share files with each other. The Apps in my list can be used with Google Drive without having to copy text, or send emails.
If an app doesn't play nice with Drive, it does not make the top of my list.
3. There are thousands of Apps available and their features are constantly being updated, so my answer tomorrow may be different than my answer today. :-)
Mrs. Harsh
Prizmo (scanner-reader)
(9.99)
Prizmo is a scanner app that has some great features. You can create editable text documents, searchable PDFs, and JPEG or PNG images. You can easily send the document to just about any app you like by saving it as the appropriate file type. For those who need to quickly scan and listen to a file, this app allows you to listen to the text without sending it to another app. You can also translate your text into 40 different languages.
FAQ link
(9.99)
Prizmo is a scanner app that has some great features. You can create editable text documents, searchable PDFs, and JPEG or PNG images. You can easily send the document to just about any app you like by saving it as the appropriate file type. For those who need to quickly scan and listen to a file, this app allows you to listen to the text without sending it to another app. You can also translate your text into 40 different languages.
FAQ link
Claropdfpro (Read and Write on pdf text files)
($.99)
Claro PDF Pro is a pdf reader and annotator that also reads out loud. It is a good choice for students who want to save, annotate and listen to pdfs that have pictures. It is also a good way for students to fill in pdf forms and worksheets as it allows the user to "flatten" annotations and send the document to Google Drive. _At only $.99 this app combines the features of Adobe Reader and vBooks into one app.
AppWriter (Word Prediction and Reading)
($29.99)
This one keeps going up in price, probably because it is so good at what it does. This is a simple word processor with word prediction. Used with the split keyboard, kids with weak spelling skills can actually type fairly quickly. This works as a stand alone, if there is no internet access. When connected to the internet, the user can send the finished document to Google Docs/Drive, Dropbox or email as a TXT-attachment. The text can also be copied and pasted into other Apps. This is a great way to move kids from dictation to typing.
This App reads text including pdf files with pictures with a voice that you can actually listen to. It also has OCR so the user can take a picture of text and convert it into text. (Not the most accurate app for this feature)
Appwriter Cloud is available free to all Saline Students to use on their laptop or desk top. See the "How to Videos" page for more info. on how to access the extension.
($29.99)
This one keeps going up in price, probably because it is so good at what it does. This is a simple word processor with word prediction. Used with the split keyboard, kids with weak spelling skills can actually type fairly quickly. This works as a stand alone, if there is no internet access. When connected to the internet, the user can send the finished document to Google Docs/Drive, Dropbox or email as a TXT-attachment. The text can also be copied and pasted into other Apps. This is a great way to move kids from dictation to typing.
This App reads text including pdf files with pictures with a voice that you can actually listen to. It also has OCR so the user can take a picture of text and convert it into text. (Not the most accurate app for this feature)
Appwriter Cloud is available free to all Saline Students to use on their laptop or desk top. See the "How to Videos" page for more info. on how to access the extension.
Google Drive (Storage and document creation)
(Free)
Drive is my favorite writing and storage app. because it is so widely used and accessible. Students, teachers, consultants, and parents can create and share files. File created or sent to drive save automatically into the student's account and are available on any device at home or at school. As students already have a school sponsored Drive account, they don't have to create a new one, and school staff have access to the account and its associated information. When used with newer versions of iPod, iPhone and iPad voice dictation is built in. One feature Drive lacks is word prediction.
(Free)
Drive is my favorite writing and storage app. because it is so widely used and accessible. Students, teachers, consultants, and parents can create and share files. File created or sent to drive save automatically into the student's account and are available on any device at home or at school. As students already have a school sponsored Drive account, they don't have to create a new one, and school staff have access to the account and its associated information. When used with newer versions of iPod, iPhone and iPad voice dictation is built in. One feature Drive lacks is word prediction.
Voice Dream Reader (iPod, iPhone, iPad)
This App is first on my list for students who meet the requirements to qualify for Bookshare. It is simply amazing. It reads almost everything and seamlessly connects with Bookshare. The last time I checked this App was around $10.00. There is a free lite version that contains the features of the full version but pauses after every couple sentences. I recommend purchasing the full version to help support the great work Voice Dream is doing. The only negative about this app is that it is text or audio only, no pictures.
This App is first on my list for students who meet the requirements to qualify for Bookshare. It is simply amazing. It reads almost everything and seamlessly connects with Bookshare. The last time I checked this App was around $10.00. There is a free lite version that contains the features of the full version but pauses after every couple sentences. I recommend purchasing the full version to help support the great work Voice Dream is doing. The only negative about this app is that it is text or audio only, no pictures.