Posted by:
Katie Stansberry
* See Also: A Guide for New iPad Owners: Must-Have Apps for Education, Productivity and Entertainment
The Apple iPad hit the stores only a little over a week ago, but
there are already over 1,000 different applications created specifically
for the handheld computing device. Apple’s new device also runs nearly
all of the 150,000 iPhone and iPod Touch apps available. For all you
technology junkies that have managed to snag an iPad already, we’ve
created a list of the best new iPad apps for education.
Geography:
Want to show your students the world? Try Beautiful Planet HD, which features more than 570 images from celebrated travel photographer Peter Guttman.
Spanning seven continents and 160 countries, this app makes full use of
the iPad’s HD capabilities. This breathtaking collection of images,
arranged across a simple map format, provides a beautiful visual
encyclopedia of the world.
Mathematics:
Packed with tools to teach students about how the world markets function, the Bloomberg
app could be a great asset for middle and high school students
interested in learning basic investment practices. The program interface
is clear and intuitive, making a sometimes intimidating process much
more fun. And best of all – it’s completely free.
Art:
Budding Monets and Picassos can paint their masterpieces using the new iPad app Brushes. Think a digital pain application can never compare to paint and ink? Check out the June 1, 2009 issues of The New Yorker, which artist Jorge Colombo created using the Brushes app. for the iPhone.
Astronomy:
Google Earth may have mapped the world, but to track the movements of the heavens you can’t beat GoSkyWatch Planetarium.
Locate celestial bodies with a quick touch, or by simply pointing the
iPad screen at the sky. One of the coolest features of this program is
the ability of the user to direct the night sky image backward and
forward through time, allowing students to check out the arrangement of
the stars on the date of their birth.
Music Appreciation:
Magic Piano
turns an iPad into a handheld keyboard. Like other music apps for Apple
products, users can play songs both independently and through
application-guided selections. However, the unique aspect of the app is
the “piano roulette” function, which makes it possible for players to
join in duets with performers from across the world. What a way to build
interest in music among reluctant young students.
Science:
You’ve never seen the periodic table like this before. The Elements: A Visual Exploration
is one of the first ebooks developed from the ground up for the iPad.
The opening image in The Elements shows every element as a rotating
sample. To learn more, users can zoom in on the element and see
razor-sharp images and up-to-the-minute facts about the chosen sample.
The awe-inspiring features of this app must be seen to be truly
appreciated. Check out the video below to see more.
Early Reading:
While not an entirely new app, I include Dr. Seuss’s ABC
on this list because the iPad version shows Suess’s whimsical
illustrations to much greater advantage than the iPhone or iPod Touch
versions. A perennial favorite of children and adults alike, Dr. Seuss’s
ABC is sure to delight.
What’s your favorite iPad app for education?