My students love using their iPads for everything. Sometimes it’s hard to determine how to create activities that are meaningful and fun. Students who are encouraged to be an active participant in their learning, retain more information and are more engaged in their learning process.

Listed below are 5 of my favorite app-tivities to use in my class. They all are free and very easy to create. For printables and directions, visit me at: www.funintegratingtechnology.blogspot.com.

Wordsalad

This app creates word clouds in a quick, fast, fun way! Help students review vocabulary and combine this with Fotobabble and have them explain their word salad! What a great way to engage students in learning vocabulary, concepts, formulas, and more! So easy, no directions required!

Corkulous

This app is a sticky note app that allows the creater to create sticky notes on a cork style board. You can input sticky notes, labels, etc. The greatest feature is that it is free! Students can use this app to write notes and or study notes. Notes can be shared via mail, exported as a PDF file, Image or Board, saved as a photo or template, or it can be printed! For more information check out: http://www.appigo.com/corkulous

BingoBaker

Create free printable Bingo Cards with Bingo Baker (www.bingobaker.com). This is not an app, but you can create a bingo card and students can use their iPads to play the Bingo game. Directions: Directions for BingoBaker can be found on my website.

Think – Pair – Share

Students can use an app such as Corkulous or Notes to create their thoughts of a passage, problem, etc. Then pair students together and have them discuss their thoughts. Have student share their thoughts and/or discussions with their partners with the entire class.

JigSaw

Many apps (Notes, KeyNotes, SonicPics, StoryKit, Sock Puppet etc.) will allow you use the JigSaw method in your class. Assign students to a base group of 4 to 5 students. Have students to number off within their group. Assign topics to the base group members. Students move to their expert groups. Students work with members of their expert group to research/read/learn the topic. Expert groups create a short presentation to present to their base group. Students return to their base groups and take turns teaching their group members the material.