Android Applications & Tablets For Education

Using Tablets In The Classroom

If you thought Tablets were expensive toys out of the reach of educational institutions, think again. Compared to desktop computers and laptops, tablets are easier to maintain and less expensive. Full-featured tablets are available for less than $100 ( 5000 INR) and can handle most of the common tasks we use desktops and laptops for. Right from browsing webpages to creating documents to watching videos to accessing interactive applications, everything can be done right on the 10 inch device. Rather than carry bulk books around, students can access hundreds of interactive books on the same tablet.

Tablets take mobile learning to a new level. You are no longer restricted to text only formats or small screens. The main advantage of the tablets is of course the portability. Instead of taking your students to the computer lab, you can take the technology to your classroom. This gives you the freedom to incorporate multimedia presentations into your existing lesson plan rather than creating a separate exercise for students to complete at home or in the computer lab.

Here are some tips for using tablets effectively in the classroom:

1. Download applications after carefully evaluating whether they are suitable for the group of children or students you are working with.

2. Ensure using the tablet adds real value to the teaching-learning process and fits in with  the curriculum of the class.

3. Use the application yourself to get first hand experience of what the children will need to do to complete tasks.

4. Divide the children into groups and work with one group at a time, if you have just one tablet per class. Plan activities for the other groups that are related to what you want to do using the tablet. Let the groups take turns to work with the tablet.

5. When using with preschool classes, teach the children how to handle the tablet and how to take turns without getting into fights.

6. Think of follow up activities that you can do in class keeping in mind the concepts that are focused on the applications.

At an advanced level, you can consider creating your own applications to suit your requirements. If you have an Android tablet, check out App Inventor (http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/about/) for a quick and easy way to create your own apps.

While tablets are already very affordable, the upcoming launch of the $35 tablet Sakshat will make it easier for students to get access to the same technology outside of the classroom too.

Stay tuned for more articles on this topic. If you are interested in learning more about how I use tablets in the classroom or would like to discuss ideas on incorporating tablets in your lesson plans, post a message or follow me on http://plus.askrangoo.com

If you are planning to buy an android tablet read further by going to:

• Buying An Android Tablet

Download the files in your android phone or tablet

Download these from the android market

Latest Addition

Phonics Read O Words

Download Phonics Read O Words

This apps covers the words with the different o sounds and has the spelling combinations of o, oa, oo, ou, etc. with appropriate pictures. Children get  a score out of 20 and then decide whether they want to read some more words or quit the game.

Color Away! - Dip your finger in the color and color away. Listen to music as you color.

Download Color Away! - coloraway.apk

Maths Chart - Children are shown a maths chart with numbers upto 50. They practice add on (+) and take away (-). they get immediate feedback and appreciation. The numbers are highlighted to help the children. 1 to 10 numbers are used in the questions as numbers and as number names, so that children can practise both. Numbers 11 to 20, in the questions, are given in the form of numbers only.

Download Maths Chart - mathschart.apk

Kids Maths - Elementary level addition with pictures, sounds and virtual gifts to motivate children.

Download kids maths - mathsplus.apk

Maths Minus - Elementary level subtractions with pictures, sounds and virtual gifts.

Download maths minus - mathsminus.apk

These are prepared keeping in mind children who have just learned addition and subtraction.

Tiger In The Tub- A story focussing on the 't' sound. Children can tap on the pictures and listen to the story or read the story.

Download Tiger In The Tub - tigerinthetub.apk

Phonics - Sounds - Children look at the pictures and type the first sound of the word.

Download Phonics - phonics.apk

Phonics Read Words & Match - Children read a simple words such as 'a cat' and choose one of the three pictures given.

Download Read Words & Match - readwordsmatch.apk

Download Read Words & Match For Tablets - readwordsmatchtablet.apk

Phonics Read Words - Children look at the pictures, listen to the word, read three words for each picture and choose the correct one. They get immediate feedback and learn to read the words.

Download Read Words - readwords.apk

Phonics  Read & Type Words - Children look at the pictures, choose the correct words and type them. The same pictures are used as in the previous apps.

Download Words - typewords.apk

Ball Mash - Children look at a ball randomly appearing at different places on the screen with the word 'a ball' written on it. They should tap on the ball and note the score.

They are exposed to the word 'a ball' and to tap on the ball they keep waiting for it and carefully look at it. This initial exposure to a written word with the picture representing the word will help them to get ready to read.

Download Ball Mash - ballmash.apk

Paint Pot - Children can paint or write the letters of the alphabet on the white screen. They have three colour options and a button to erase and begin again. If they tap on the screen they get dots and if they drag they get a line. By dragging they can practise writing letters of the alphabet or numbers. Or they can just scribble :-)

Download Paint Pot - paintpot.apk

Boy Girl Man Woman - Just a simple apps to practise beginner words. Children tap and listen to the words and revise them.

Download Boy Girl Man Woman - boygirlmanwoman.apk

Pen Pencil Box Bag - Similar to the previous app to practise basic vocabulary.

Download Pen Pencil Box Bag - penpencilboxbag.apk