Where to find apps
The internet is an invaluable resource when searching for applications (apps) to use in your classroom. Once you find an application I strongly suggest reading peer reviews to judge the quality of the application. While there are usually one or two negative reviews for every application try to get an overall feel by reading multiple reviews. The best single source for application review is the iTunes store which is available on your computer. While there are many ways of finding great applications I suggest using Google and searching for "best iPad apps for your subject" and following a few of the results. If you prefer not to search the internet http://appadvice.com/appnn or http://www.macworld.com/appguide/index.html are both good websites for finding and reviewing apps. Peer journals or reviews can also be helpful.
Buying Applicaions
There are literally thousands of applications available in the app store. Generally speaking you can "pay" for them in 3 ways.
Free or Lite Versions
This means truly free, there are no ads in the application and the developer makes little to no money off the application. Lite versions of applications are generally shortened versions of their full or pay for counterparts. For example if an application has 30 levels in the full version there may be only 3 levels in the lite version. If there is a lite versions of an application that you are interested in I would recommend trying it out first before purchasing the full version.
Ad Supported
Ad supported applications are similar to TV in the way they are funded. While the application is itself is free commercial ads will show (usually at the top or bottom of the screen.) Advertisers pay app developers very small amounts each time an ad is shown or clicked. While this isn't bad at all keep in mind that children may be tempted to click on the ads which will more than likely take them to a website and off topic.
Pay For
Pay for apps are exactly as they sound, you usually pay a small up front cost and that application is yours. Pay applications are generally high quality and well supported by the developer.
How to Purchase
We purchase apps in a different way than you would for your home. St. James Academy is enrolled in the App Volume purchase program which means that we are able to purchase apps in larger volume and receive a significant discount. If you are interested in an application for your classroom please follow the steps below to begin the process.
Check to see if there is a similar application already loaded on the iPads, if so will it suit your needs. There is a list of iPad apps that we already own or that have been requested.
If the application is a Pay for application evaluate the cost vs. the use you will get out of the application.
Check to see if there is a lite or free version of the application that can be loaded on the iPads to test.
Contact me with all the information you have and your plan of use, together we will evaluate the application.
If the application is selected to go on the iPads please allow one week for it to be purchased and loaded on all 23 iPads.