apps/programs.
Welcome to theHIVE page on apps/programs. Here you can find information related to tablet apps and computer programs and sites. Use the links below to navigate this page. You can also use the anchor bar on the right side of the page. The following symbols indicate whether an app/program is available for purchase in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or on the web
web searches. a good place to start when looking for an app is by doing a search with a simple search engine. for example, if you are looking for a great drawing app for the iPad, try typing "best drawing app iPad" into a search engine. you can then look through the results and see what other people are recommending.
app reviews. it's also a good idea to check out the reviews in the App Store and see what other people are saying. how many stars does the app have? have a lot of people rated the app? do the app developers regularly update the app?
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app cost. how much does the app cost? are there hidden in-app purchase fees or monthly subscriptions? before deciding on an app, you should take this into consideration.
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trust your instinct. ultimately, it is up to you to make the final decision as to whether or not you should download a particular app.
finding apps.
literacy.
digital storytelling. involves making digital stories with apps or programs. this can be done with video, in book format, or even through audio.
ideas. retell a common fairytale, myth, or legend from the perspective of a different character. role-play a situation or story. create a story from the point of view of an animal or object. no matter the story you have to tell, have fun with it! you can find some ideas here or here.
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apps & programs. below are a few example apps and programs you can use to create digital video stories. click on the apple, google play, or chrome symbol in each section for more information.
Toontastic
With Toontastic 3D, you can draw, animate, and narrate swashbuckling adventures, breaking news stories, science reports, and all your other wacky ideas. This is a user friendly app with lots of options for customization.
Puppet Pals
Create your own unique shows with animation and audio in real time! Simply pick out your actors and backdrops, drag them on to the stage, and tap record. Your movements and audio will be recorded in real time for playback later.
Sock Puppet
Sock Puppets lets you create your own lip-synched videos and share them on Facebook and YouTube. Add Puppets, props, scenery, and backgrounds and start creating. Hit the record button and the puppets automatically lip-synch to your voice.
Puppet Pals II
Children unlock creativity with this easy to use (but hard to put down) interactive puppet show! Even young children can create high quality cartoons from their imaginations. Kids can even star in the show along side the built-in characters!
Chatterpix Kids
Chatterpix Kids can make anything talk -- pets, friends, doodles, and more. Simply take any photo, draw a line to make a mouth, and record your voice. Then share your Pix with friends and family as silly greetings, messages, creative tales.
video storytelling apps
movie making apps
Shadow Puppet EDU
Easily create videos in the classroom! Students as young as five can make videos to tell stories, explain ideas, or document their learning. Ideas in the app make it easy to get started!
iMovie
With a streamlined design and intuitive gestures, iMovie lets you enjoy your videos and tell stories like never before. Browse your video library, share favorite moments, create beautiful movies, and watch them on all your devices in iMovie Theater.
Video Editor
This app can be used to create, edit, and publish videos on Android. Get this powerful and easy-to-use video editor app for making and sharing videos. Add themes, filters, effects, transitions, emojis, voiceover narration, music, and more.
MovieMaker Movie Studio
MovieStudio is an extension to make movies, record videos, edit videos, modify them using another videos you can import. MovieStudio also allows to add audios, images, and texts into your movies and videos.
stop-motion apps
Zing StikBot Studio
Make a stop motion film is easy with this animation app. While this app features StikBot figures, they are not necessary to create a stop motion video. You can use different figures (such as Lego or Playmobil) or even drawings in your videos.
Stop Motion Studio
Make a stop motion film is easy with this animation app! While this app features StikBot figures, they are not necessary to create a stop motion video. You can use different figures (such as toy animals or Playmobil) or even drawings in your videos.
Stop Motion Studio
Make a stop motion film is easy with this animation app! While this app features StikBot figures, they are not necessary to create a stop motion video. You can use different figures (such as toy animals or Playmobil) or even drawings in your videos.
MineCraft Movie Maker
Make a stop motion film is easy with this animation app. While this app features MineCraft, it is not necessary to create a stop motion video. You can use different figures (such as Lego or Playmobil) or even drawings in your videos.
infographic apps
There are many websites (and some apps) that you can use to make infographics. Here are a few websites you can use to make infographics. Click on the title to go to the website.
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This site allows you to make infographics or edit photos. The basic plan is free, or you can pay a monthly fee to use more advanced features.
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This site allows make infographics. This free tool includes over 100 fonts, millions of free images and thousands of quality icons, and there are options to include video and audio in your work.
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Snappa is a graphic design tool that includes a free infographic maker. This one is aimed at non-designers. The free plan gives you five downloads per month and two social accounts, or you can upgrade for features such as unlimited downloads and custom font uploads.
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Canva is a powerful and easy-to-use online tool that can be used for lots of design tasks, from brochures to infographics and presentations. It also offers users a vast library of images, icons, fonts and features to choose from. It features a dedicated infographic maker that you can use for free, with hundreds of free design elements and fonts at your fingertips, and many more for $1.00. You can also download the iPad or Android apps to use Canva.he
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This is an infographic and presentation tool that allows you to easily turn data into infographics. You can modify colour schemes and fonts, insert pre-loaded graphics and upload basic shapes and images. Its grid-lined templates also make it easy to align graphical elements and resize images proportionally. There's a free version offering three basic themes, and paid options as well.
english language learners.
There are many apps and programs that you can use to help you learn another language or for translation. There are a few example apps below.
Duolingo.
Learning new languages with Duolingo can fun and addictive with its game-like format. Earn points for correct answers, race against the clock, and level up. The effectiveness of the app and lessons have a small research base.
iTranslate Voice.
iTranslate Voice offers voice translation in over 40 languages. With more than 250 predefined phrases, the Phrasebook is designed to help out in any situation. The transcripts feature allows you to export or share your conversation within seconds.
iTranslate Converse.
With iTranslate Converse, you can turn your iPhone into a translation device. Speak directly into your iPhone’s microphone - your words will automatically translate into the language of your choice. This app requires a monthly subscription.
Google Translate.
Google Translate is a translation site or app that allows you to translate words or phrases into other languages. You have the option of copying translated text into other windows or apps.
sandbox apps are like an open world digital sandbox. there are no rules, no right or wrong way to play. they offer a variety of play options and let children explore, play, and experiment.
sandbox.
Toca Boca Apps.
Toca Boca apps sparks kids’ imaginations and helps them learn about the world. Their open-ended products give kids the freedom to play their way. There are a huge number of apps from Toca Life to Toca Kitchen and Toca Nature. Each app offers an open-ended and unique play experience.
Tiny Bop Apps.
Tiny Bop apps come in two types: Explorers and Digital Toys. Each Explorer’s Library app is an interactive model that lets kids explore the invisible and awesome wonders of our world. Kids ages 4+ develop foundational science literacy. Each Digital Toys app is an open-ended construction kit that lets kids build, test, and play with anything they can imagine. Kids ages 4+ develop creative-thinking, problem-solving, and storytelling skills.
physical/digital play.
Some apps and devices blur the lines between physical and digital play. These apps often pair with devices, allowing children to interact with physical and real objects.
Coder MiP.
Coder MiP is a programmable balancing robot. Control your robot's actions and reactions with simple drag-and-drop commands, using the app on your tablet or smartphone. Play fun games and drive Coder MiP over his ramp while he balances multiple items on his tray. Coder MiP communicates through motion, sounds, and LED lights in his eyes and chest. His sensors allow him to navigate his surroundings and respond to hand gestures.
DropMix.
DropMix lets you play music in a new and unique way. This fast-paced music mixing game gives you a new way to collect, discover and combine favorite tracks. Keep the music pumping with 3 ways to play: freestyle, clash, and party. The DropMix Music Gaming System includes the DropMix board and 60 DropMix cards, and the free downloadable app controls the game.
Osmo Apps.
Osmo is an award-winning game system that will change the way your child interacts with the iPad and iPhone by opening them up to hands-on play. It connects an iPad or iPhone to different physical objects and devices. There are a variety of different apps related to coding, drawing/art, math/money skills, word study games, and more.
Coding apps and programs for children are becoming increasingly more popular. Here are some resources and app/program recommendations for coding apps and programs.
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7 Best Coding Apps for Kids
This blog post covers seven different coding apps/programs for children. The post contains apps for both Apple and Android platforms, in addition to web-based options. Check out the blog post here.
Hopscotch.
Hopscotch is a kids coding/programming app that can be used to create games. The app offers self-paced video tutorials to teach your child coding through making popular games, like Pokemon Go, Geometry Dash, drawing apps, and more.
coding.
Coder MiP.
Coder MiP is a programmable balancing robot. Control your robot's actions and reactions with simple drag-and-drop commands, using the app on your tablet or smartphone. Play fun games and drive Coder MiP over his ramp while he balances multiple items on his tray. Coder MiP communicates through motion, sounds, and LED lights in his eyes and chest. His sensors allow him to navigate his surroundings and respond to hand gestures.
math.
The following math related apps/programs can be used to help children work on math skills at home. I have also created a blog post featuring different math games and programs. Check it out here.
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XtraMath
XtraMath is a great website/app that helps children build mathematics fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This app should be used every day. XtraMath automatically graphs progress and keeps a ongoing record of student performance.