Posts on “ apps ”

Last year, Dr. Kari Stubbs was recognized as one of Daily Edventures’ global heroes in education and they’ve recently caught up with her again for an update on BrainPOP’s work, her thoughts on the intersection of education and technology, and future trends. Daily Edventures is an education-centered blog that has a focus of identifying inspiring advocates for education, 365 days a year.  The site’s editor, Anthony Salcito, is Vice President of Education for Microsoft Corp.’s Worldwide Public Sector organization and works with education institutions around the world to facilitate optimal use for technology in learning environments. Head on over to read about Kari’s thoughts on mobile learning and BYOD environments, and catch a short screencast of BrainPOP’s Windows 8 app in action. She also goes on to discuss the growing popularity of game-based learning and BrainPOP’s ability to meet these new demands for educational games with GameUp. Kari’s interview further includes news on BrainPOP’s future plans for more individualized instruction, as well as an audio clip of her discussing BrainPOP’s recent work around education and technology. We have a lot of exciting plans on the horizon, so be sure to check back often for updates!

Thanks to all of you, our newly launched Featured Movie app for Windows 8 just reached a big milestone! The Windows 8 app – for devices like the Microsoft Surface – has now been downloaded more than 10,000 times. Remember, your BrainPOP username lets you log in directly from the app at no additional cost. A second milestone? The app earned front-and-center placement last week, when the Windows Store featured it in the Education category.

It’s with pride and excitement that BrainPOP has released a new app for Windows 8 and its sidekick Windows RT for use on mobile devices such as the Microsoft Surface.  Our Windows app highlights the “tiled” beauty of the operating systems, incorporating an elegant look into the topic search and quiz features, while providing a gorgeous two toned blue sunburst background. It’s simply pretty to look at! The Windows app is available free of charge and provides access to the featured movie of the day. Featured movie topics tie in to current events, historical milestones and figures, holidays, and more! Additionally, current site subscribers can log in directly from the app to access all of BrainPOP’s award-winning content at no additional cost. This is a great benefit for school subscribers who want to provide access to BrainPOP content on Windows device that students may have at home! So, if you’re using Windows 8, download the app from the Windows 8 store and let us know what you think! After all, “the more you know, the more you know!” (and the more we want to know!)  

Wednesday, January 30th at 3:30 PM ET- Get It: iOS Accessibility We welcome Leslie Schecht, Director of Technology for Special Education District 75 in New York City, for a look at the iOS platform’s accessibility features. See how Leslie uses technology to provide educational, vocational, and behavior support for students who are on the autism spectrum; have significant cognitive delays; are severely emotionally challenged or sensory impaired; or are disabled in other ways. You can follow Leslie, an Apple Distinguished Educator, on Twitter: @techdiva. Her district’s innovative use of technology was recently profiled in Fast Company magazine!

Angela Nixon Kiser is a National Board Certified Teacher who works tirelessly to provide interactive and meaningful learning in a technology enriched classroom. She provides technology tips, fun, and advice through a collaborative blog called www.techieteachertales.blogspot.com  If you missed her post on BrainPOP Educators last week, be sure to check it out here! I have one iPad in my classroom. How do you use one iPad with 26 greedy little fingers dying to get their hands on the technology? I think that is one of the biggest mountains to climb in our world of learning. I have researched numerous websites and blogs looking for helpful tips just to keep the growl of “my turn” to a patient whisper. So I endeavored to explore what many sources suggest. Adding the iPad into your center (or stations if the students are older) rotation. Easy enough, right? I would have hoped so, but it had its kinks. I encountered a kink with the length of time each child, in the group of four, would spend with an app. The first few center rotations became problematic primarily due to the game I featured for the week. Not every student played and not every student even touched… Read the Rest»

If you’ve downloaded our BrainPOP Jr. iOS app, you may have noticed an update last week. We’re excited to announce that the new version includes in-app purchasing and updated accessibility features for iOS 6. You will now have the option to purchase the “Explorer” subscription (Movie of the Week plus three additional related movies and quizzes) for $1.99 per month, or Full Access (all topics) $5.99 per month. Of course, you’ll still be able to download the app to access the Movie of the Week plus all free BrainPOP Jr. content at no charge.  Enjoy the update.

BrainPOP is once again a proud sponsor of the Global Education Conference (GlobalEduCon), a free week-long online event bringing together educators and innovators from around the world. This year’s conference is scheduled to run from Monday, November 12 through Friday, November 16, 2012 (Saturday, November 17th in some time zones). The entire conference will be held online using the Blackboard Collaborate platform. If you’ve ever attended a BrainPOP webinar, then you’ll be familiar with the format of each conference session. BrainPOP is supporting the conference strand dedicated to game based learning and game design. From Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) to Serious Games, the popularity and excitement about Game Based Learning is grounded in solid progressive educational philosophy. Studies upon studies have shown how game structures provide safe spaces for students to take risks, think strategically, and work hard. Online games are also a unique medium for communication, collaboration and teamwork. Have you used games to help your students better understand global issues? If so, there is a unique opportunity to submit a proposal to present at this year’s conference. We encourage you to submit and present, your session doesn’t have to be about BrainPOP’s GameUp, just about your effective use of… Read the Rest»

Wednesday, October 24th at 3:00 PM ET- The App-solute Best Advice with Mike Amante Overwhelmed by lists describing “the best” educational apps for iOS? Need advice and guidance for what to use . . . tomorrow? Have no fear, BrainPOP is here! This week we are thrilled to welcome Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified teacher, and New York based technology integrationist mastermind Mike Amante for a inspiring hour exploring educational trends in mobility, the best apps for iOS, and useful advice about best pedagogical practice.

The Mobiles for Education Alliance has made it their goal to provide low-resource and developing countries access to appropriate, scalable, and low-cost mobile technologies.  Committed to improving learning outcomes in all levels of formal and nonformal education, the Alliance supports the identification and application of mobile technologies that can be used to address pressing educational issues such as literacy, professional development for educators, and accessibility for learners with special needs. The 2012 mEducation Alliance International Symposium is happening right now in Washington, DC!  This year, the mEducation Alliance is highlighting how successful partnerships can be leveraged to improve learning outcomes through the use of mobile technologies.  BrainPOP is proud to provide a mobile friendly service and our very own Dr. Kari Stubbs, Vice President of 21st Century Learning, was given the honor of co-presenting a session titled: In Focus- Partnering for Basic Education Quality Improvement.  If you’re interested in learning more about the symposium, visit their site or check out #mEd2012 to see what the Twitterverse is saying.  

We were thrilled to see actor, author and parenting expert Soleil Moon Frye praise the BrainPOP featured movie App on the TODAY show this morning. Check out the “Best back to school gadgets, websites and apps” clip below with today’s featured movie selection: Frankenstein! Thanks for the shout out TODAY show! Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy