This post is a part of a series. You can read part 1 here.

When trying to look at how schools could use the iPad within the classroom the first thing I asked myself was; “what classes do all kids take?”  Math, Science, Social Studies, Language.  Using that group as a starting point I thought about what every student needs in school, in class.  What will they need to complete their homework/classwork?  I remembered my thoughts of the ancient calculator I mentioned in “Part 1″ and thought…that’s exactly something students will need and will use!

On to….

iPad Apps for the Classroom – Part 2

When the iPad was introduced and it was noted that a few of the iPhone staple apps would be missing, many wondered why they were left off, specifically the calculator app.  Let’s face it, from the beginning many believed the iPad would become the classroom tool of the future…one would think students may have use for a calculator.  Now that Calc XT exists, I am sure glad they did leave the calculator app off, I most certainly wouldn’t have gone looking for one on my own otherwise.  At its roots Calc XT is a simple calculator, we all know what that is, we all use one from time to time; for bills, homework, tips, etc.  When you open the app in portrait orientation you have a nicely rendered presentation of a calculator in full screen view.  Users can switch between different modes (NOR, SCI, FIX, ENG), set the default decimal places, turn the comma on or off, and even toggle the sound (it’s just a simple clicking noise).

Essentially Calc XT is everything any calculator app should be.  However, it’s when you rotate to landscape that this app provides it’s uniqueness and quality. In landscape you have two sides to the screen essentially, on the one side is the calculator and on the other side, a memo notepad.  The notepad addition is the amazing part.  Jot down figures and answers, type in numbers with the virtual keyboard, copy and paste numbers to and from the calculator, or use two different inks for differentiating between equations…the possibilities are endless.  Instead of having that scrap of paper with math work on it, use the notepad and calculator in the app for figuring it out and then write the answer on the actual paper.  The app provides multiple pages in the notepad section and users can view a thumbnail grid of them all as well.  Even better, users can export the notepad pages via email to preserve their work elsewhere or for proof of “work”, and the app has the ability to change the side in which the memo notepad appears, left or right…so all you lefties are in good hands as well.

At the end of the day users will probably not be blown away by Calc XT, no matter how you slice it this IS a calculator app.  But not all apps, no matter how standard the task they perform, are created equal…and in this instance Calc XT is not just a step ahead of the rest, it’s leading by a whole staircase.  Priced at $.99 users should not hesitate to pick it up!

If you’re looking for an app that will do wonders for kids in the Math field, improving addition,  subtraction,  multiplication,  division…then like magic, Math Magic ($.99) will impress.   This isn’t an app for high-school or college, it’s geared towards elementary students.  Using bright colors and rewards kids learn and improve arithmetic skills.  Parents or teachers can set time limits, change the difficulty level, and even mix up the theme of the app.  It’s simple to use and students will find it a blast!  Besides, it allows them to use the iPad (or iPod Touch) which is always something they’ll be interested in.

If you like Math Magic but find a student needs more help, checking out Math Series, a sort of companion app.  Using Match Series students are given a series of numbers and must find/fill the missing number.  Parents can set preferences that they can match to the ability of the child or student.  Again this application is geared towards kids between 5 and 8.

If words and spelling help is needed, students may find Word Magic more fulfilling.  Word Magic puts a picture of an item on the screen along with the word.  The word is missing a letter or letters and it’s up to the student to fill it in.  There are two different levels to choose from, and it’s obvious based on my 5 year-old’s love and understanding of the game, the development team really put effort into learning how kids would benefit from this app.

Another great application is Match Magic, where young students are given two columns of items.  For very young kids each column can contain pictures, of animals for example.  The child then draws a line from one column to the other, matching the same animal.  As students improve or get older, parents can increase the difficulty level and tailor the app for the needs of the learner.  While Match Magic hasn’t been given the “iPad treatment” yet, it is one of the few apps that I can tolerate the pixel doubling when used on the iPad instead of iPhone.

Be sure to check out the games by Anusen for the iPad or the iPhone.  If you’ve got kids or are an elementary school looking for great apps to use with students, these are some very good examples and I highly recommend them all.  They might not be the most gorgeous apps around, but for young students they are very helpful and rewarding.