What it is: This week Apple is all set to make a BIG announcement about education. I always tune in when Apple has something to say, but this week I am particularly interested in what they are going to do with education. The announcement has been connected to some of the big 6 (publishers). This worries me a little bit because I find that the 6 are pretty traditional and in-the-box kind of thinkers. It will be interesting to see how (or if) Apple has managed to convince some of them to break free a little bit. What I am not excited for: a re-invention of the old way. Been there, seen that. We need something that will let students be creative and innovative, NOT rearrange their textbooks! I digress.
In honor of Apple’s announcement, I thought I would do an early release of a catalog of apps I have been working on organized by Bloom’s Taxonomy. I’ve been putting off publishing it because frankly, there are ALWAYS more to add. I just keep chipping away at it as I find it. To be honest, I have a large collection on my iPad that are ready to be added but haven’t yet. So…bear in mind this is incomplete and will continue to grow! For those of you who have iDevices in your classroom or at home, I hope it is helpful!
How to integrate Bloom’s Taxonomy of apps into the classroom: Bloom’s Taxonomy is by no means the best or only way to categorize websites, apps or other educational tools. However, I often find that for my purposes, it is a really nice way to organize tools so that I can find them later. It also keeps me (and my students) thinking about the learning process and keeps us all from getting stuck in a one-type-of-learning rut. Bloom’s is also extraordinarily handy for categorizing apps that don’t fit neatly into a subject matter or that fall into several different subject categories.
In the apps, I have given you a little guide. If an app cost money, I’ve added a $$ on the app. The others are free. The free apps are just as wonderful as some of the paid!
Keep the guide of apps handy for those parents who ask for your best app recommendations!
Please leave a comment and share how you are using Bloom’s Taxonomy of Apps in your classroom!