Apps

The mobile app Science Journal, ideal for ages 10 and up, is a tool that uses the different sensors on your Android phone to conduct experiments and record findings. Parents and teachers can check out the Making & Science website for activity ideas that go along with the app, such as building musical instruments that respond to light.

If you are not familiar with the site Tech with Kids, you may find it to be a great source of balanced reviews of media for children from experts in the field. Recently the site updated some of their recommendation lists with a focus on diversity, including Apps That Celebrate Our Differences, Kid Apps Showing Diversity, and Girl Power in Apps. Also new on the site is a list of Book Apps for Older Readers. This list contains 10 great book apps for kids ages 7-14. 



If your New Year resolution has anything to do with getting organized, you may be interested in a way to digitize old pictures. If you are curious about scanning and restoring old photos, give Photomyne a try. It is especially good for scanning old albums since it lets you scan multiple pictures at once. Once images have been scanned, Photomyne gives you a few retouching and restoring options, as well as sharing features. Photomyme comes in several variants: you can either install a free version that lets you pay per session via in-app purchase, or a paid version for $5 that gives you a range of basic features. On top of that there is a $12 per year premium plan that includes unlimited saves, backup and access to your scans from desktop computers. Interested in more free and inexpensive photo apps? See Photojojo's updated list.

If your New Year resolution has anything to do with getting organized, you may be interested in a way to digitize old pictures. If you are curious about scanning and restoring old photos, give Photomyne a try. It is especially good for scanning old albums since it lets you scan multiple pictures at once. Once images have been scanned, Photomyne gives you a few retouching and restoring options, as well as sharing features. Photomyme comes in several variants: you can either install a free version that lets you pay per session via in-app purchase, or a paid version for $5 that gives you a range of basic features. On top of that there is a $12 per year premium plan that includes unlimited saves, backup and access to your scans from desktop computers. Interested in more free and inexpensive photo apps? See Photojojo's updated list.

Although it may not seem necessary, helping kids learn how to use those all those apps available on digital devices is important for parents to do. One recent study showed that 2-to 3- year olds who watched a demo by an adult on how to assemble a puzzle did much better later on in putting the puzzle together on their own as opposed to when they watched a machine generated, digital “ghost” demo. While it may not be all that surprising that this “social scaffolding” helped the learning process, it is a good reminder for all parents that these devices are not digital babysitters. Parents see how quickly their kids pick up on using technology and may forget that digital devices are just like any other tool…and just like any other tool, children are going to need to learn from their parents.

Although it may not seem necessary, helping kids learn how to use those all those apps available on digital devices is important for parents to do. One recent study showed that 2-to 3- year olds who watched a demo by an adult on how to assemble a puzzle did much better later on in putting the puzzle together on their own as opposed to when they watched a machine generated, digital “ghost” demo. While it may not be all that surprising that this “social scaffolding” helped the learning process, it is a good reminder for all parents that these devices are not digital babysitters. Parents see how quickly their kids pick up on using technology and may forget that digital devices are just like any other tool…and just like any other tool, children are going to need to learn from their parents.

There are thousands of apps created for kids these days, so how do you filter through them all when deciding what to download for your children? Common Sense Media takes that on with seven questions that can help you figure out how to separate the wheat from the chaff. The article 6 Ways to Download Kids' Apps Smarter (and Cheaper) can help you find apps that your kids will enjoy but will also prove to be time and money well spent.

There are thousands of apps created for kids these days, so how do you filter through them all when deciding what to download for your children? Common Sense Media takes that on with seven questions that can help you figure out how to separate the wheat from the chaff. The article 6 Ways to Download Kids' Apps Smarter (and Cheaper) can help you find apps that your kids will enjoy but will also prove to be time and money well spent.

Generation Z students -- those born in or after 2001 -- view technology overall as beneficial to learning, according to a recent survey from Quizlet (an online self-quiz generating app). However, the findings show a difference of opinion on educational apps, with 80% of teachers saying apps make learning more fun, compared with 51% of students. Also in a time period where many districts are trying to make students “responsible” for their own learning, the one thing students and teachers of all ages agreed on is that interaction between students and teachers is the most important part of a classroom learning environment.

Generation Z students -- those born in or after 2001 -- view technology overall as beneficial to learning, according to a recent survey from Quizlet (an online self-quiz generating app). However, the findings show a difference of opinion on educational apps, with 80% of teachers saying apps make learning more fun, compared with 51% of students. Also in a time period where many districts are trying to make students “responsible” for their own learning, the one thing students and teachers of all ages agreed on is that interaction between students and teachers is the most important part of a classroom learning environment.