IPod Touches and Reading Apps

     The reading task analysis presentations were all very interesting.  It was neat to see each group's approach to breaking down the process.  The final example that Barb shared with us was very impressive, it made me feel as though I had definitely neglected some of the steps involved in the reading process.  I really enjoyed using the IPod touches, shopping for apps., and searching for reading apps.  There are so many wonderful options available! 

     In a world of ever-changing technology, it is important for educators to incorporate available resources in the classrooms.  Although many students own or have access to an IPod or IPhone, they are not accessible for all - so I am not sure how a teacher could implement the use of them in their everyday curriculum.  I do believe that they are wonderful as a form of assistive technology.  The wide selection of apps offer many alternate means of accessing information, presenting information, tools to share knowledge, the list goes on and on.  The apps are designed to support all ages, all abilities, and all interest groups.  I am very impressed to see that many of the apps are reasonably priced so that people are able to afford them.

     Here are our top apps for high school students (with a focus on reading):

10 Favourite Apps!

	Top Ten!	App	Cost	Uses
1		Shmoop	Free	This app is similar to Coles Notes; it provides users with notes on many classics used in high school English classes.  It provides a wide range of text overviews, summaries, plot& character analysis, study questions and quizzes to help students review their knowledge.
2		Prizmo	$9.99	This app allows you to scan text and have it read to you.  It can translate into fifteen different languages.  It recognizes printed text, whiteboards, etc… It includes image processing and text-to-speech is available in 10 languages with 35 voices to choose from.
3		QuickVoice	Free	This app allows you to record for seconds to hours students can save their recorded files as an MP3, and then be able to email their work to the teacher.  It is available for use in 6 different languages.  It offers students another method of sharing their knowledge.
4		vBookz	$3.99	This app comes with over 30,000 copyrighted books, it reads it chapter to chapter while highlighting the text, and it comes with a magnifying glass interface.  You can scan a text into Kurzweil (save as ePub format - Pages) and put this into vBookz.  You can also adjust the speed of reading and the voice.
5		Body Talk	$1.99	This app is a body language guide to help you to read other people and situations.  It includes text, photos and videos to help the user.  You can search by body part, motivation or significance of movements.  This app is great for anyone, especially those who struggle in social situations.
6		No Fear Shakespeare	Free ($0.99 for each play or $4.99 for all 18 plays)	With modern-English language translation of each play, side-by-side of the original version, students can read the play and understand it too!
7		Canada Driver’s Ed	$1.99	Students can read the manual, study topic-by-topic, take a mock test, and get detailed results that indicate areas for further study.  The ‘Progress Meter’ is a great motivator!
8		Conversation English	$4.99	Common idioms and expressions are worked into 20 English conversation lessons.  Each lesson incorporates listening, reading, comprehension, vocabulary, and sentence completion skills through matching, fill-in-the blanks, and other activities.
9		English at Work	$4.99	The sister app to ‘Conversation English,’ this app provides 14 lessons for English in the workplace.  Common idioms, phrases, and expressions are worked into lessons on listening skills, telephone skills, email skills, conversation skills, and more!
10		English Grammar In Use Activities	$9.99	This app is full of grammar activities that are designed to be fun for students.  With imagery, audio, recording, and instant feedback, students will be engaged in the 16 areas of grammar.  There is also a sister app with tests!