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I have teachers ask me frequently about app recommendations for different subject areas. "What app could I use to teach subtraction?" "What app would you recommend for my students to practice writing?" "I want to use iPads in my Science class. What app is good for that?" I usually sigh to myself, when I receive questions like that. While I am not against in suggesting apps ( which I love doing), I am not comfortable with the level of disconnect between the teacher (who knows her/his students best) and the curriculum related skills and objectives and pedagogical relationship that needs to be in place for an app to be a match to use in a classroom or with an individual learner.

Wide ranging and thorough discussion around this subject. Pros and Cons. References to BYOD, 1:1 etc

Here are video on how certain apps work: How apps work Here is a review of apps that I have tried out 1-I J-P Q-Z. Here is a table that breaks down apps by subject; type; grade level; and other.

The site has an educational games site designed to help students learn about subjects in the areas of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economics. In all there are twenty-nine interactive games for students to play. Each of the science-related games and the economics game is based upon the research of Nobel Prize winners. The literature and peace games are based upon concepts central to the work of Nobel Prize winners in those fields.

Bookboon is a free service offering free full-length textbooks, travel guides, and business books in digital form. The textbook section of Bookboon offers more than 500 digital textbooks. On Bookboon there are etextbooks available for twenty-five subjects, but the bulk of the etextbooks are focused on Economics, Engineering, and IT.

This site, designed by Fuel Industries, includes three main components that are meant to be explored together. Videos: Each location -- Home, School, Mall -- includes several video shorts about a modern family's experience online. You determine which path the family members take at the critical decision point. Do you text that to your boyfriend? Do you purchase that ukulele? These shorts are just snapshots of more complicated issues. But, they all attempt to address a fundamental message of taking a moment to think before acting. Interactive Objects: As you view each video, you can collect interactive objects! An object opens up a quick game about the subject of the video. Once you collect the object, you can access it at anytime during your session. Messages: When you scroll down the site, you will find complementary messages targeted for each audience -- Students, Parents, Educators. These messages intend to strike a quick educational point. If you want to find out more about the subject, just click the link below the message. This will open up a pop-up with tips, advice, and links to partner resources. Make sure to check out the resources as linked in the educators' and parents' sections of the site! These resources point to curriculum and advice provided by Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely, and National Consumers League.

games by age & subject! Awesome site!

New report released August 2012 "Business and political leaders are increasingly asking schools to integrate development of skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration into the teaching and learning of academic subjects. Collectively these skills are often referred to as "21st century skills" or "deeper learning." Education for Life and Work: Developing Transferable Knowledge and Skills in the 21st Century, a new report from the National Research Council, more clearly defines these terms and lays the groundwork for policy and further research in the field."

"The Budd:e Cybersecurity Education package consists of two activity-based learning modules, one for primary school students, and one for secondary school students. Both modules contain engaging, media-rich activities and resources, developed in consultation with teachers and subject matter experts."

via @edgalaxy

"Students at Het 4e Gymnasium Amsterdam have had their history class infused into their digital lives...The students have built Facebook Timelines for four history subjects:..Historical events were represented by uploading a variety of media including audio, video, photos, maps, and historic documents."

"Mystery Skype is an educational game, invented by teachers, played by two classrooms on Skype. The aim of the game is to guess the location of the other classroom by asking each other questions. It's suitable for all age groups and can be used to teach subjects like geography, history, languages, mathematics and science."

"For people who want to make things themselves, Autodesk 123D is free software integrated with content and fabrication services. Free products and services are subject to the Autodesk, Inc, terms of use that accompany them."

Lots of podcast interviews with new book authors on all kinds of subjects. iTunes. Useful for lesson source material.

"Australia finally has its first digital technology curriculum which is mandatory for all Australian children from Foundation, the name replacing kindergarten, to Year 8. The Technologies area now has two individual but connected compulsory subjects: Design and Technologies, where students use critical thinking to create innovative solutions for authentic problems Digital Technologies, where students using computational thinking and information systems to implement digital solutions."

"There's been lots of discussion in blogs and on Twitter about Getty's offer to make images available supposedly for 'free'. The only problem is that they're not free, as Karen Blakeman points out in her blog post on the subject. While on the surface of it, it seems to be a lovely kind gesture, I would caution anyone who is thinking of using the service to consider it very carefully."

An invaluable guide for Australian Teachers on twitter. Very comprehensive and organised by subject area on google spreadsheet. I will put in my favourites:

"A Guide to the iPad in Primary Education is breakdown of how the iPad can be used successfully as both a learning tool for pupils and a teaching aid. With so many Primary Schools now equipping their teachers and students with iPads, more and more apps and resources are becoming available. This guide presents apps and techniques that have been used successfully in the Primary classroom. The book is divided into subject areas for quick reference, including Literacy, Numeracy, Science and Early Years Foundation Stage. Includes over 100 apps and techniques that will enhance lessons. "

"The role of technology in learning isn't entirely clear-or rather, is subjective. While it clearly is able to provide access to peers, audiences, resources, and data, it also can be awkward, problematic, distracting, performing more strongly as a barrier to understand than anything else. Why this happens also isn't clear, but there are some common patterns and missteps to look for while designing or evaluating a learning process."

I'm not sure we need these skills to be taught as a separate subject. Technology has been changing the way people learn and interact for thousands of years. Many researchers argue that major innovations adopted by society have an effect on the structure of the human brain. There is little doubt that the Internet has changed the way people find information and the way they communicate. Changes to the way that students learn, and probably what they learn, need to follow.