App Smackdown, is that an elephant in the room?

     This week was one of the best we had so much fun in class discovering the wonders of 4d and augmented applications. I can't forget being able to experience virtual reality that was beyond amazing!!! We had our app smackdown this week and there were a lot of apps I ended up downloading. Camscanner is one I've already had it is great especially for anyone who doesn't have access to a scanner. You just take a picture of whatever document you need, take a picture and it adjusts itself, and once your satisfied with the picture you can email it and of course you can add more files to it. Where to go? is a great app for traveling it helps locate grocery stores to doctors, gas stations, malls and so on and it gives you turn by turn directions. One of the most efficient apps we learned about was glass door it is the best app so far to finding jobs. You can search by company see their salaries, see reviews on companies, you can apply , view requirements, and see the benefits (if posted). Medical handbook is one that is useful especially with having little ones. You can see all the drug from ibuprofen to any prescribed medicine, you can look up treatments and dosage intakes.

     Zookazam had to be on of my classmates favorite app we got to see. You get either a little square or a big sheet and you can put whatever animal you like and bam it appears on your phone screen. Zookazam article goes over that there are 40 animals to choose from and there is even dinosaurs you can pick. You can take a picture and even a video this is ideal for a teacher going over animals and habitats. There is extra add ons such as weather and lighting effects that can make it appear more realistic. You can have it were it looks like the person is holding it in their hand without the paper. Just check out the video below it will make you want to download the app ASAP!

       Aurasma which we learned about in class as well is an app that brings to life the periodic table of elements. The article is about an 8th grade teacher showing his students this new app and decided to have them do an assignment. The students had to prepare a video presentation and they had to use the auras, ipads were stationed for them. The use of the app turned out to be a big benefit to the students when learning about the periodic table elements in depth. The only set back the students found was having to hold it over the aura while watching the video but all in all it was a big help for science.  Below is the guidelines for the assignment:

The Periodic Table

Objective:  To learn about the Periodic Table and share that information with the rest of the class, creating a more complete understanding of the elements that make up our universe.

Each person will pick a number (1 through 7) and all the 1’s will get together and research properties found in Group 1, all 2’s will get together and research properties found in Group 2, all 3’s….well you get the picture

Each number corresponds to a section in the Periodic Table as outlined below:

1- Alkali Metals (include hydrogen)

2 – Alkali Earth Metals

3 – Transition Metals

4 – Metalloids

5 – Non Metals

6 – Halogens

7 – Noble Gases

Each group will be responsible for researching the properties of the elements within their group, creating a storyboard outline in your journals, then preparing a short video synopsis^*1 of your findings, and finally creating an Aurasma Aura/Overlay so other groups in your class can see your video. 

The following information will be included in your video:

1.       The elements that make up your group.  If you have the transition metals, pick 7 examples within that group.

2.      Physical properties that are common within your group.  Physical properties to consider are state of matter, melting point, boiling point, density, conductivity, number of outer shell electrons, and anything else that seems important.

3.      How does atomic mass change going down the group.  Offer an explanation for why the trend seems reasonable?

4.      End the video with a question about your section in the Periodic Table that another group will have to research. 

synopsis – a brief but comprehensive outline from the Late Latin, from Greek, literally, comprehensive view, from synopsesthai to be going to see together, from syn (together)- + opsesthai to be going to see — more at optic

First Known Use: 1603

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synopsis

    My personal favorite and I was close to taking one of my prof's cardboard virtual reality box. It was one of the coolest things i have seen in such a long time. I was able to look at a beautiful view of Arizona seeing a beautiful lake turning into a snowy mountain it was unbelievable. In the article Real life application for VR is about google cardboard and it is quite affordable starting around 17$. Presentation hero will help students or anyone who has to present anything from a paper to product. It is still in testing, but this will be amazing it tells you when to speak up, slower, faster, or louder. It also tells you how to keep eye contact, this app sounds great I wish I could use this for my presentation next week. Of course it gives you a timer at the bottom o the screen but nothing drives someone crazier than speaking and not knowing for how long. I will be investing in this app as soon as it is officially released, which I am hoping is sooner rather than later.