As an educational writer, former teacher, and current homeschool mom, I’m always on the lookout for great educational products for my kids. Recently, I’ve been curious about educational apps, which seems like the popular buzz word in writing circles and with teachers. So I purchased Julie Hedlund’s template for submitting app proposals which came with great info about this new and exciting market.
But the more I got to thinking, I was stumped. I really didn’t know anything about “playing apps.” My kids play app games, but I NEVER get on the iphone unless to Tango or Skype with my family. So how can a writer develop an app story unless he/she experiences many of them?
This led me to do some app research. Just as I read about publishers’ current books and the current market, I also need to know the app market if I want to submit anything. So I spent all of Saturday afternoon reading educational blogs about the best apps for the classroom, watching video clips of apps, and reading an app publisher’s blog. I made a list of what’s out there, and some “holes” or topics that don’t have any apps. Perhaps I can get my brain to think of something brilliant!
What have you discovered about this market? What are your favorite educational apps?
5 comments
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August 27, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Tracy Campbell
Hi Tina:
I haven’t looked into apps. But thank you for offering the information.
August 27, 2012 at 10:04 pm
tinamcho
Thanks, Tracy. I find this area interesting.
September 10, 2012 at 2:25 am
Heather Newman (@HeatherNewman12)
This post caught my eye after reading your interview with Mirka Breen. My sons use iPad apps and I have found many of them to be excellent. DK Human Body, Bobo & Light, iWrite Words for kids just becoming interested in letters and how words are put together, The Three Little Pigs and the Secret of the Pop Up Book, and there are Magic School Bus books available as apps. Then there are the “games” that are actually fantastic physics lessons/puzzle challenges; Cut the Rope, Where’s My Water, Collision Effect and, of course, Angry Birds. My boys don’t process information in a traditional “schooly” way and I’ve found hands on games such as these to be a wonderful way to introduce concepts. We homeschool here, too. Cheers!
September 10, 2012 at 3:45 am
tinamcho
I didn’t know u homeschooled, too! I’ll have to check out those apps, especially the DK Human Body cuz my daughter is studying that in science. Thanks so much!
September 10, 2012 at 4:14 am
Heather Newman (@HeatherNewman12)
My youngest son is fascinated by the human body at the moment and the DK app has been a great resource. Have fun!