15 Sites and Apps for Augmented Reality

"Augmented reality (AR) is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented (or supplemented) by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. (Wikipedia)"  AR has been around for awhile but is really starting to garner interest in the educational community/sector.  Using augmented reality is a great way to incorporate 21st century technology into the classroom using different types of apps, sites, and equipment.

15 Sites/Apps for Augmented Reality

1. AR Dinopark - A fantastic iOS app for bringing augmented reality dinosaurs to life.
2. AR Flashcards - One of the most popular sites/apps for using augmented reality.  An educator can choose from a wide selections of flashcards to print out w/ AR images built in to view on a mobile device.
3. ARSights - A fantastic site that incorporates AR w/ Google Earth and allows users to view landmarks in augmented reality.
4. Augment - A free iOS app for viewing 3D AR models.
5. Augmented Reality Brings New Reality to Learning - a fantastic article from Edutopia on how to integrated AR into the classroom.
6. Aurasma - Probably the most popular site/app for viewing augmented reality images.
7. colAR Mix - A great free iOS app that turns a AR enabled coloring book into a 3D augmented reality experience.
8. Daqri - A free iOS app that enables user to view 4D augmented reality enabled images.
9. Fetch! Lunch Rush - A free iOS app that is a fun multi-player game where players try to keep up w/ the sushi orders.
10. Junaio - A augmented reality browser that lets users view AR enabled images.
11. Our Discovery Island: Phonic Tricksters - A fun free iOS app that uses augmented reality to learn phonics by capturing Tricksters.
12. PopAR Viewer - A great free iOS app that allows users to view augmented reality objects as well as create books, cards, puzzles, and more.
13. Science AR - A fantastic iOS App for viewing educational AR enabled posters.
14. Wikitude - A very popular AR browser to view augmented reality objects.
15. Zoo-AR - A fun iOS app for viewing animals and insects in augmented reality.

Bonus - Drew Minock & Brad Waid are the famous educators of Two Guys and Some iPads and are leading the way into integrating augmented reality into the classrooms.

For my Pinterest board on Augmented Reality click here.

20 Sites/Apps for Learning how to Program or Code

There is no denying the popularity of computers and technology in schools.  More and more students are integrating technology into their everyday lives and learning new skills at a younger age.  Programs such as Project Lead the Way, Gen-Y, and now mobile devices help facilitate these skills w/ innovative technology tools.  Computer Programming is another one of these topics that is being covered more and more in school and a great way to integrate technology into the classroom.

*This list is in alphabetical order.

20 Sites/Apps for Learning how to Program or Code

1. ClassTools - A wonderful site for educators w/ lots of different resources.  A user can use a template or game generator to create customized educational games and then embed into their site/blog.
2. Code Avengers - A great site for teachers wanting their students to learn how to code games, websites (Javascript), or apps.
3. Code Monster - A fantastic very user friendly site that has students learn how to program Javascript by practicing in a side-by-side window and watching what happens as they type in commands.
4. Codecademy - A interactive site that helps students learn how to program in Javascript,  PHP, Ruby, or Python by step by step instructions.
5. CodePlayer - A nice site to learn HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript through video walkthroughs.
6. CodeSpells - A innovative app that teaches students how to code in Java by casting spells in a 3D virtual world.
7. Daisy the Dinosaur - A fun iPad app that teaches kids how to program and animate by dragging blocks together and watching Daisy preform the action.
8. GamePress - Is one of my son's favorite iPad apps that allows them to create games.  This app is ideal for learning the basics of programming by providing graphics, commands, logic and more.
9. Gamestar Mechanic - A nice site for teachers wanting to teach their students how to program games.  This is done by reinforcing skills such as, problem solving, writing, storytelling, and more.
10. Google Blockly - A visual programmer editor that reminds me of Scratch in where a user has to drag-n-drop blocks together to create an action.
11. Hopscotch - A wonderful iOS app that teaches kids how to program and create animations by dragging-n-dropping blocks together.
12. Kodable - A fun iPad app designed for younger kids that has them controlling fuzzballs to complete each level.  Each level deals w/ a simple concept of programming and gets more advanced as they get higher.
13. LearnStreet - a cool site for learning how to program Javascript, Python, or Ruby.
14. MIT App Inventor - A wonderful site filled w/ lots of educational resources for teaching students how to program mobile apps.
15. Programmr - A nice way to learn programming by solving coding exercises.
16. Quest - An innovative site/app for creating text based games that will show/hide the programming language while it is being worked on.
17. Scratch - Probably the most popular site on the list as 1000's of students have created online games through their very easy to use web interface.
18. Stencyl - A wonderful site for creating iOS or Flash based games by putting blocks together (i.e. Scratch).
19. Storytelling Alice - One of my favorite apps (Windows) on the list for learning how to program.  While this free app is no longer supported it is still available for download.
20. Tynker - A great site for students 4th-8th grade learning how to program.
    
    

10 Sites for Differentiated Instruction

"Differentiated instruction and assessment (also known as differentiated learning or, in education, simply, differentiation) is a framework or philosophy for effective teaching that involves providing students with different avenues to acquiring content; to processing, constructing, or making sense of ideas; and to developing teaching materials and assessment measures so that all students within a classroom can learn effectively, regardless of differences in ability." Wikipedia  Differentiation, the ability for teachers to meet the needs of a variety of learners, is a key component for successful teaching.  While there are lots of ways this can be done and lots of tools that educators can use to accomplish this, there are many sites that can help facilitate the process.

*This list is in alphabetical order

10 Sites for Differentiated Instruction

1. BrainNook - A wonderful site/apps for Math and Language Arts that generates detailed common-core aligned reports allowing educators to set assignments targeting students weak areas  or areas for improvement.
2. Clever Island - A fantastic site that covers a wide range of subjects: Math, Reading, Science, etc. Also, CI is geared for students to learn at their own pace as well adapt to children's different learning styles.
3. Gummii - An innovative site (private alpha)/app for different areas of Math (fractions, addition, subtraction).  Gummi immerses students into a educational 3D world (similar to Minecraft) where they solve mathematical equations tailored to differentiated instruction.
4. Infuse Learning - A terrific site/app that enables educators to create an educational environment tailored to meet the different needs of their students.  Also, IL has seamless integration w/ BYOD and mobile learning.
5. IXL - One of the most popular sites around for Math that allows for student tracking w/ detailed reporting.  Also, w/ the ability to track student "trouble" areas a teacher can adjust their teaching (differentiation) to help meet the needs of their students.
6. No Red Ink - One of my favorite sites for helping students w/ Grammar and Writing skills.  NRI uses differentiated instruction to help students w/ problem areas and adjust accordingly.  Also, teachers can track students and generate detailed reports.
7. Power My Learning - A great way for educators to differentiate instruction by customizing the learning experience for students using Power My Learning.
8. TenMarks - A common core aligned program for Math (grades 1st-10th) that uses differentiated instruction to help students learn.
9. ZooWhiz - A fantastic site aligned to educational curriculums in a wide variety of subjects (Math, Grammar, Vocab, etc.).  ZW offers details progress reports that helps assess students learning needs.
10. Zondle - A great site that interacts w/ Edmodo where educators can create educational games for individual or whole-class learning.

Top 10 Sites/Apps for a Flipped Classroom

A "Flipped Classroom" is a classroom that uses class time to do activities/lessons (guided by the teacher) and "homework" time (at home) for guided instruction (usually through video).  Basically, it turns a classroom upside down (or on it's head) where the learning of a topic is done at home and then they applied practice or "work" is done at school.  With Mobile Learning and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) becoming more mainstream, "Flipped Classroom" models are happening more and more, leading me to create my list of favorite tools for "flipping a classroom".

For an excellent info-graphic on what a "Flipped Classroom" is click here.

*This list is in alphabetical order.

** I will not be including Khan Academy in this list due to the assumption that a "Flipped Classroom" and Kahn Academy go hand-in-hand.

Top 10 Sites and Apps for a Flipped Classroom

1. 9Slides - A wonderful way for teachers to create an interactive/guided presentation for their students "flipped learning".
2. Answer Pad - The ultimate assessment tool for teachers to use w/ their mobile devices or browser to gauge student's learning.
3. Ask3 - A fantastic iPad app for turning your iPad into a recordable whiteboard.  This allows for a teacher to create guided lessons (by adding text/drawing/narration) that students can view at home.  Students can then use the app in class to answer each other questions before asking the teacher, while teachers can use it to assess student's learning.
4. BoomWriter - A excellent innovative site that allows students engage their creativity by completing chapters of a book/story and then having other students vote on which one should be included in the finished product.  Once a book/story is completed a trade paperback copy can be ordered turning students into published writers.
5. Educreations - A terrific iPad app that is very similar to Ask3 as it turns the iPad into a recordable whiteboard.  However, a teacher can not only create a bunch of guided lessons, they can also post them on the web for their students to view at home for "flipped learning".
6. GoClass - A wonderful iPad/web tool that allows educators to create lessons and then assess students learning in real-time.  Also, students can view the lessons at home on their mobile devices and learn at their own pace.
7. Knowmia - Is one of the most popular sites/apps for creating and searching for video lessons for students.  Simply put, Knowmia is one of the best and easiest ways to "flip a classroom".
8. Math File Folder Games - A great site/company for educational iOS Math games that can be used to create 21st Century "Math Centers".  This is a great way to use educational apps to reinforce "flipped learning".
9. MentorMob - A fantastic site for educators to create guided learning playlists that students can use at home for self learning.  One of the best sites around for creating a "Flipped Classroom".
10. Nearpod - A terrific all-in-one solution for mobile devices in education.  Teachers can use it to create engaging lessons that students can do from home.

Top 50 Math Sites and Apps

Throughout the last few years I've compiled quite a few lists of my favorite sites for a variety of subjects.  Over the last year and a half one might have noticed that my lists have started to change and instead of focusing on sites I've been focusing more on apps as "mobile learning" has really taken off.  It seems now a days a person can find an app for almost anything.  Specializing in Ed Tech I review sites/apps all the time and decided to start posting my favorites for different subjects.  Below are my favorites for Math.

*This list is in alphabetical order.

Top 50 Math Sites and Apps

1. 4 Dice: Fraction Games - A great iOS app for learning how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions.  This game meets Common Core Standards and has blue tooth capabilities to allow for two players across multiple devices.
2. 5 Dice: Order of Operations Game - A neat iOS app for practicing "order of operations" where the answer is giving and students need to figure out the equation.  Some nice features include the email feature for teachers to track students ability as well as a nice interactive whiteboard to help figure out the problem.
3. ABCYA - A wonderful site/apps for educational games.
4. AplusMath - A nice site for Math games, worksheets and flashcards.
5. Axiom - A fun iOS app where students tilt the mobile device to guide their ship to collection different numbers and operations to solve Math problems.
6. BrainNook - A great site for Math games/apps w/ "differentiated instruction".
7. Bubbabrain - A excellent site w/ 1000s of educational games where teachers can create their own games.
8. BuzzMath Middle School - A fantastic iPad app for Middle School students wanting to learn and practice their Math skills.  Some nice features is when a student gets an answer wrong BuzzMath shows them the correct answer and how to solve it.  Also, supports "differentiated instruction" as well as a website w/ a teacher portal for managing and tracking students.
9. Clever Island - A nice site w/ lots of educational Math games that cover areas such as: counting, classification, ordering, etc.
10. Cookie - A great site w/ lots of educational games for Elementary schools.
11. DimensionU - One of my favorite sites/program for K-12 for developing Math skills in all areas.  This site uses cutting edge technology to reinforce Math skills in 3D games in safe competitive environments.
12. Dinosaur Train Classic in the Jurassic, Jr - A fun iPad game based on the popular PBS tv show that has kids playing 3 Math based games on counting, sorting, and a balance, to help the dinosaurs complete their adventure.
13. DragonBox - A excellent multi-platform site for teaching students Algebra in a fun and unique way by starting out using pictures instead of numbers.
14. Funbrain - One of the most popular educational gaming sites on the web.
15. GazziliMath - A wonderful addicting iOS app that my 6 yr old son loves!!!  This is a great app for the younger kids learning to add, count, subtract, and more.  Also, has a high replay value as kids need to complete levels to unlock more and more features.
16. Game Classroom - A nice site w/ lots of Math games, worksheets, and homework help for students.
17. Grid Lines: Ordered Pair Game - Grid Lines is a very unique and challenging game which has students plot order pairs/points on a four quadrant grid.  This is great for upper El Ed and MS students and has blue tooth capability for multiplayer.
18. IXL - One of the most popular sites for Math for Grades K-8th as well as for learning Algebra and Geometry.  Not only does this site have an educational portal for student tracking and reporting but tons of lessons to choose from as well.
19. Kidz Page - A nice site w/ lots of fun educational Math games.
20. Learning Games for Kids - A great sites w/ lots of games for education.
21. Lure of the Labyrinth - A site designed for Pre-Algebra students to go on an amazing adventure to rescue their lost pet and avoid monsters.  Not only does this app have a wide variety of lessons for MS students it also is aligned to state standards.
22. Fuel the Brain - A nice site w/ lot of different educational Math games to choose from.
23. Funschool - A cool site w/ lots of Math games.
24. Gamequarium - One of the most robust sites around for Math games and resources.
25. Mangahigh - A wonderful site for anime styled Math games where students earn rewards/badges.
26. Marble Math - Is a great iOS app that has students playing the old fashioned marble tilt puzzle game solving basic math problems (addition, subtraction, etc.) plus decimals and fractions.  A user can either tilt their iOS device to move the marble or use their finger to guide their marble to the desired spot.  Not only is this game highly addictive it gets rather challenging in the upper levels.
27. Math A Tube - A great resource for Math students/teachers for all areas of Math.  A person can not only find videos and worksheets, but explanations of all sorts of Math concepts (ie, Geometry, decimals, fractions, etc.).
28. Math Champ - A very innovative iOS app that turns a student's iPad into a "buzzer" to answer questions before their classmate.  This does require a teacher to "host" the game as well as setup a class list.  Math Chimp supplies all the Common Core Standard questions from a wide variety of Math problems.
29. Math Chimp - A wonderful site for finding games, videos, and worksheets on a wide variety of Math concepts.
30. Math Dojo - A fun iOS app for addition in the style of a fighting game.  The paid version unlocks all the different operations/levels.
31. Math Game Time - A terrific site for grades K-7th w/ lots of educational games, worksheets, and videos.
32. Math Minute Madness - A wonderful iOS app that focuses on basic Math skills and has students trying to solve as many questions in a minute to earn stars so they can add animals to their virtual zoo.
33. Math Playground - A great site for finding Math resources such as: word problems, games, worksheets, flashcards, and more.
34. Mystery Math Town - This is one of my favorite and unique iOS apps for building Math skills.  Ideally this adventure is for kids 6-12 and focuses on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  Students enter a town and try unlock levels and characters by not only solving equations but finding the variables to solve the given equation as well.  This game is highly addictive and has very high replay value.
35. Numbers League - A fantastic iPad app for students 5 on up that uses basic Math skills to defeat a legion of evil super heroes.  This interactive comic style game focuses on Common Core Standards and can be used by students of all ages as it gets harder and harder.
36. Operation Math - This is a very fun iPad app that focuses on the basic skills of Math while trying to stop an evil villain from stealing numbers by solving equations and locking his escape route.  OM is a great game for kids 5-12 w/ high replay value that takes them to lots of geographical locations.
37. Ordered Fractions - A fun iOS game that uses dice to roll random numbers and then have students put them in boxes to create fractions.  Students then have to compare these fractions to put into ascending order.
38. Pipo Games - A nice site/program w/ lots of educational games for any curriculum, Math included.  A paid account unlocks all features and games.
39. Play Kid Games - A very nice site w/ lots of fun and engaging Math games.
40. RoomRecess - A nice site for elementary students to learn basic Math concept through educational games.
41. Sakura Quick Math - Is an ideal iOS app for grades 1st - 5th that focuses on all basic Math skills. Not only does Sakura track students progress it allows for users to write the answer directly on the iOS screen.
42. Sheppard Software - A nice site w/ lots of fun Math games in a wide variety of areas.
43. Skip Math: Skip Counting Games - A fun iOS app similar to Doodle Jump where students jump from platform to platform to count by numbers (i.e., 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.).  Another neat feature is the ability to take a picture of yourself and put it on the game character.
44. Sumdog - A great site w/ educational portal for student tracking, to reinforce Math skills while students play against others worldwide.
45. Sushi Monster - A nice iOS app for practicing addition and multiplication facts.
46. TenMarks - One of the most popular sites/programs for Math for Grades 1st thru HS.  This program helps students develop their Math skills in all areas while tracking student data and using "differentiated learning".
47. Tutpup - A great site educational Math games that focuses on areas such as: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and more.
48. What2Learn - A excellent site w/ lots of Math resources as well as the ability to create your own game.
49. YodelOh Math Mountain - A super-fun iOS app that focuses on the basic skills of Math such as: addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division.  This game is a hoot and reminds me a lot of the Price is Right game where the mountain climber tries to reach the top of the mountain before time runs out.
50. Zondle - A innovatie site w/ educational portal that allows teachers to track, monitor, and create games for students.

40 Sites and Apps for Creating Presentations

Creating a presentation or slideshow is one of the staples of any 21st Century Classroom.  This is a skill that almost every educator has and is a must known skill for any successful student.  It used to be that only programs such as PowerPoint could create presentations.  However, now there are lots of sites and apps that not only creating stunning presentations but also make it easier then ever.  Below is my list of some of my favorite tools for creating beautiful looking presentations/slideshows.

*This list is in alphabetical order.

40 Sites & Apps for Creating Presentations

1. 9Slides - A wonderful site and app for adding video/audio narration to a presentation.  Ideal for professional development or teaching a lesson.
2. Animoto - One of the most popular sites/apps for creating beautiful looking slideshows w/ an educational portal.
3. AuthorStream - A great way to upload PPT presentations and share them w/ others similar to Slideshare.
4. Aximedia Slideshow Creator - A wonderful Android app for creating stunning looking slideshows.
5. Biteslide - A fantastic site for creating interactive presentations that contain all types of media w/ educational portal, where teachers create student accounts.
6. Electric Slide - Is a nice iOS app that allows users to present all styles of presentations (PPT, Keynote, etc) wirelessly.
7. eMaze - A nice site that is a cross between Prezi and PP that allows users to zoom around their presentation.  Best of all, a finished presentation can be embedded into a site.
8. Flixtime - A cool site for mixing photos, videos, and music to create a stunning presentation.
9. Haiku Deck - A amazing iPad app for creating beautiful looking presentations w/ the ability to upload Creative Commons licensed photos as well as creating charts and graphs.
10. HelloSlide - A innovative site that allows a user to add narration to their presentations simply by typing in text.
11. Kizoa - A fun site for creating slideshows or collages w/ a built in photo editor.
12. Knovio - A nice site for adding video or audio to a powerpoint presentation.  Ideal for Pecha Kucha style presentations.
13. Magisto - A cool way to create a presentation w/ this video mash-up site/app.
14. Muvee Cloud - Another nice video mash-up site that creates fun looking movies/presentations by mixing and matching video and music.
15. Narrable - An innovative site for adding audio to photos to create an engaging slideshow.
16. Netclick - While Netclick is more of a "student response system" it is a great way to engage an audience through the use of an interactive slideshow.
17. One True Media - A fantastic video mash-up site for mixing video, audio, and images to creating stunning presentations.
18. PhotoPeach - One of my favorite sites/apps for creating an interactive slideshow w/ educational portal.  A user can also create a quiz embedded into a slideshow as well.
19. Photoshow (Roxio) - A nice site for creating slideshows w/ photos, videos, and music, and sharing publicly or privately.
20. PhotoSnack - A fun site for creating slideshows for blogs, FB, or Twitter.
21. Popcorn Maker - One of the easiest video mash-ups sites around to creating stunning presentations.
22. PowToon - Is a new (beta) and wonderful site for creating amazing animated slideshows/presentations.
23. Present.me - A great site for "flipping" your classroom by adding a video narration side by side to a slideshow.
24. Reel - A simple site for uploading presentations to garner feedback and self assessment.
25. Slide.ly - Create a beautiful looking presentation w/ images and music.
26. Slideful - A fun site for creating beautiful looking slideshows.
27. Sliderocket - A easy to use site for creating visually engaging slideshows, recently purchased by ClearSlide.
28. Slideroll - A nice site/app to create slideshows and publish them on the web.
29. Slideshare - One of the most popular sites around for uploading and sharing presentations in a secure environment.
30. SlideShark - A nice iOS app for view and editing PPT on the iPhone or iPad.
31. Slideshow Creator - SSC on Google+ is probably one of the most popular way to create slideshows in a safe environment for students.
32. Smilebox - A very popular site for creating beautiful looking slideshows, collages, presentations and more.
33. Soo Meta - A wonderful site for "flipping" a classroom and creating excellent looking presentations that can be embedded into a blog or site.  Also, there are nice features such as: the ability to embed a poll into a presentation, track usages statistics, and more.
34. Speaker Deck - A great site for uploading a PDF then turning them into a slideshow that can be embedded into a site or blog.
35. Swipe - A new (private beta) site for creating beautiful looking slideshows that can be used on any device.
36. TotSplash - An innovative presentation and brainstorming tool for creating engaging presentations that can be embedded into a site/blog.
37. Vivapitch - A nice plugin for PPT and Android to engage audiences on mobile devices.
38. Vizlingo - A cool site for making a slideshow out of text.
39. Vuvox - A great site for creating stunning presentations and slideshows.
40. WebSlides - A neat way to turn Diigo bookmarks into interactive slideshows.