2EPUB

2EPUB is an free to use website that offers a simple way to convert text documents into ePub documents for viewing on all iDevices. 2EPUB supports the conversion of many file types including Doc, Docx, ODT, PDF, and HTML. You can provide 2EPUB with the URL of your documents or upload them directly from your computer. Once the file is uploaded, set the display parameters, and click convert. When the conversion is complete you can download your file and use it on any device that supports ePub display.


Classroom Integration Ideas:


Teachers or students can create documents that can be made available for viewing on the iPad or other iDevices. Such as:

• study guides
• student created short stories or poems
• essays

gText

gText is a new site that provides a great free service for group text messaging by creating groups in the gText account.  You can send text messages as well as share files, photos, and calendars as well.
Your texts can be sent from your phone or from your computer. By default gText keeps group members' phone numbers private.

Sock Puppets

Sock Puppets is a simple app that let's you create digital stories using virtual sock puppets.  Students or teachers can select up to four different sock puppet characters and up to five backgrounds. After they   select the props and scenery they want to use, they can move the puppets around and record voices for each puppet. Each recording can be up to thirty seconds.


Classroom Integration Ideas:

Students or the teacher can use this app for storytelling to help them create and publish digital stories.   Several students can record their voices to create a short play.
An advantage of using this for speaking practice is that it’s the sock puppet that’s actually speaking on the display, not the student.


Other ideas:

• Students could record short poems
• ESL students could practice dialogue 

Shelfster

Shelfster is a free site that allows you to bookmark and annotate websites while researching. You can create a document, edit it with a simple drag/drop of links, or type in your document as well.   Then save it online (as part of the free account you create) or download it as a PDF.
Shelfster also has an iPad and iPhone app.

Classroom Integration Ideas:
Shelster can help students organize their internet research.  Shelfster will soon integrate with Google Docs, which could allow students to share and peer edit their research.

Cite This For Me

Cite This For Me is a free website that helps students format reference lists or citation pages. Students fill out each box to create a reference list.  They can sort them alphabetically, and download the formatted reference page.

Classroom Integration Ideas:
Cite This For Me is a great resource for students doing research, especially if it is from online sources such as podcasts, websites, and online videos.

Alphabet Zoo

Alphabet Zoo is an iPad app great for practicing the recognition of the alphabet sounds. Each letter is associated with an animal and an a sound. The animal picture and sounds help kids recognize the sounds of the letters of the alphabet.  When a letter is touched the first time, the user hears the name of the letter.  The second and third time the letter is pressed the user hears the sound that the letter makes.  The fourth time the letter is touched the letter changes into a picture associated with that letter.

Classroom Integration Ideas:
This app would be a great for younger students make the connection between the name of each letter and the sound associated with that letter.

Word Dynamo

Word Dynamo is a free site from Dictionary.com that estimates how many words you know. By answering ten questions, the site will calculate a word score, which adjusts as you learn new words. Word Dynamo also includes a word challenge that has up to 20 levels customized for your skill level, a library section, and a vocabulary game that allows you to match terms and definitions.

Classroom Integration:

Word Dynamo is could be used by any grade level, especially as a vocabulary center, as students learn to add new words to their vocabulary.  Because it utilizes student feedback, it will continue to challenge students to increase their skill level.