Showing posts with label Apps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apps. Show all posts

Tuesday 25 April 2017

Daily Bible Jigsaw {Planet 316 Review}

I have a new daily source of inspiration thanks to Planet 316. They have a fabulous FREE app called Daily Bible Jigsaw which Nathaniel and I have been using on my Android smart phone.  Today's review will be slightly different to my normal review.  This one will be more of a show and tell with pictures.



How does it work?

The app is available to download through:
When you open the app you will have the option of signing up with your email or using Facebook.  Each time you open the app you will click Log in and it will generate a new puzzle. I loved the name for each day (Motivational Monday, Renewing Saturday, etc)  During the first few times you play the app it will prompt you with a hint on how to use the app.

 Once the puzzle is loaded the timer will begin in the top right hand corner and it will continue counting until you place the final piece.



Once the final piece of the puzzle is placed the puzzle fades into a beautiful photograph and a scripture verse appears.  There are also streamers and confetti to celebrate the completion of the puzzle. IF your account is linked to Facebook you will be asked if you would like to share it to Facebook.



 After you have finished the puzzle morphs into a puzzle piece which is added into a month long puzzle.  The puzzle pieces fill in every day you do the new puzzle.  If you miss a day you will have a missing piece in your monthly puzzle.  The missing puzzle piece/puzzles can be purchased using in game puzzle coin currency. During each puzzle there is a boost piece which lights up.  If you are able to connect this piece to it's mate you earn a puzzle coin!


 You can earn FREE coins through sharing on Facebook or purchasing. Planet 316 gifted members of the Homeschool Review Crew with 500 coins (worth $39.99) to expand our experience and enable us to complete a month of puzzles. 


It was very rewarding watching the puzzle pieces fill in each day and watching the picture appear.

 Each day as we built the beautiful puzzles I began to really anticipate a new scripture to meditate upon.



 There is an Awards center in the App in which you can earn awards and special tokens as well as a leader board if you sign up via Facebook.  A few of our Crew joined up together and there has been some fabulous challenges to see who could get to the top of the leader board!

 I was quite thrilled to see the puzzle completed by the end of the month!

In the Future
Planet 316 has some fabulous ideas in the pipeline for the future.  Here are couple of the ideas they are working on:
  • They are very excited about connecting the Bible verses to the Fusion Bible. The Fusion Bible is an all new digital bible app they are releasing later this year. For example after completing a puzzle players would have the opportunity to read the passage of scripture by simply clicking on the a button that opens directly to the that passage in the Fusion Bible. 
  • Considering adding a Scripture of the month to the monthly puzzle upon completion
  • Being able to share the inspirational scripture / picture to Instagram.
Daily Bible Jigsaw has been loads of fun and has lived up to it's aim of providing inspirational bible verses to meditate upon along with beautiful photographs. I hope that you and your family will be as blessed as we have been with this app.

Blessings
Chareen



Daily Bible Jigsaw {Planet 316 Reviews}

Wednesday 20 July 2016

MWorld {Review}

Over the last few years I've been pursuing a new direction in our home school, one that is built upon Charlotte Mason's ideals and sprinkled with delight directed opportunities.   In today's digital filled era I have found it difficult finding information that is enriching, twaddle free and reliable.  

Monash University have set out to meet this need and created an app to meet the criteria and today it is my pleasure to introduce you to MWorld.


Last week I had the privilege of a teleconference with Justin who shared with me his passion to grow and create an app that would use curiosity to unleash learning in our children.  Justin and his team have been working alongside the leading academics at Monash University to produce each unit on MWorld so you can trust the information you are accessing is up to date and correct. (You can watch a one minute overview on YouTube here.)


Did you know...
  • Curiosity increases your brain function and leads to more engaged learning and better memory retention?
  • Pre-school children ask an average of 26 questions an hour.

MWorld is constantly growing and being developed.  They are currently developing mini missions which will be available later this year.   These missions are there to equip parents to support their children's learning and encourage enquiring minds to learn more.


How Does MWorld Work?
There are a few different options available to use MWorld. (PC, Android app and Apple app).
We have been given MWorld to use for a full year and have access to the complete platform.

IF you sign up via the Home Education option the team at MWorld set up your account and send you an access code (MCode) and password.  You use this to log in and set up your account.

Once you log in, you have the option of either customizing your avatar or exploring the world we live in. As you explore the world through one of the apps you will collect points which allow you to purchase clothing for your Avatar.


You also collect experience points. These points show you where you are on the leader board.

The leader board is private unless you add your friends to it. Experience points also build your badge level.  You can see how many points are needed in order to graduate to the next level.

Points are awarded for: each screen you read, each game played (these reinforce learning) and each quiz which is answered.


By clicking on Explore the World you are taken to the app home screen. Here you will find the main ten learning areas. Each of these areas are divided into five apps each. After selecting the subject you are then taken to the app area.


 For example in the Natural World you will find: Deep Blue Sea, Volcanoes, Deserts, Extreme Weather and Protected Areas. Next you select your area of interest.  The app then downloads to the device and loads.  Each app is fairly large due to the beautiful rich graphics, text to speech,  videos and interactive pages.



Each module has an introductory video  (See all available module introductory clips on YouTube).

The center of the page is a list of questions to whet your appetite on the topic.   On the left and right margins you will find graphics which are links to learning areas.

Along the bottom of the page there are five buttons: back, home (takes you to the first screen), map, points page and text to speech. The text to speech function is a handy tool for younger students or students who are auditory learners.

 The map shows you where you are in the module and the total number of learning areas for the module.  As you can see each module is fairly extensive.

MWorld can be used off line. To access offline studies each of the 50+ apps can be found on the app store. You use your MCode to unlock the app which is then downloaded independently onto your device.


On the home screen you will find a credits button beneath the sign out button.  In this area you will find a complete list of the titles on MWorld linked to an information card.  Here you can meet the scientist who contributed to the production of the topic, a full list of the production team, a list of reference materials used in the unit and the names of the production team responsible for the unit app production.

Titles Available on MWorld
At present there are over 50 areas of learning on MWorld and it will be growing so be sure to check back to see what is new.
MWorld have supplied a summary, YouTube introduction and a free downloadable teacher guide for each title on the MWorld Title finder page.
  1. Animals
    • Adapting to new Worlds
    • Fangs - How do animals eat ?
    • How do animals behave?
    • Long-distance Travellers
    • Sharks and Rays
  2. Art&Music
    • Art Today
    • How to write a Song
    • Jammin'
    • Secrets of art: Drawing
    • World Beats
  3. Early Civilizations
    • Ancient Greece
    • Angkor
    • Early Australians
    • Early China
    • Rome: The Early Days
  4. The Human Body
    • Build Your Own Skeleton
    • Germs
    • The making of me
    • Peak performance
    • Sleep and Dreams
  5. Language and Culture
    • Dragon boat festival
    • Fairy Tales - The untold story
    • Lost languages
    • Manga
    • Spain: Food, Football & Fiesta?
  6. The Modern World
    • Challenges of our time
    • The digital age
    • Money
    • Super-fast Trains
    • Mega-cities
  7. The Natural World
    • Deep Blue Sea
    • Deserts
    • Extreme Weather
    • Protected Areas
    • Volcanoes
  8. People and Places
    • Asia Today
    • Changing Places
    • Designing Places
    • Europe Today
    • The Rises of Cities
  9. Space
    • Black Holes
    • Comets, Asteroids and Meteors
    • Galaxies
    • Mission to Mars
    • Planets
  10. The Wonders of Science
    • Chemistry:Let's Get Started
    • How does Life Work?
    • How to become a Scientist
    • Invisible World - Inside the Atom
    • Light
What platform is MWorld available on
  • iPad (iPad 3 and later, All iPad Air and Mini models)
  • Android (Android 4.4 and later)
  • PC (Windows 7 and later)
Due to the size of each of the individual topics covered, (the beautiful photographs and interactive content of MWorld) you will need access to quality internet connectivity in order to download and use your chosen area of learning. The main MWorld app needs connectivity to run.

MWorld can be used off line on your chosen device. You will need to download your chosen topic as an independent app via the app store.
The Cost*
  • Single topic apps for MWorld are available to purchase at $5.99 each.
  • Home Education bundle is currently available for $59 for 54 apps (That is a saving of $317.47!). To access this special please email your request to team@discovermworld.com and they will do the rest.
  • MWorld is available for school class use in student bundles. 
  • FREE trial is available.  You will receive two credits to unlock two titles of your choice along with three units: Jammin, Planets and Volcanoes.
*Prices quoted are current as of July 2016 and subject to change at any time.  Please check the MWorld website for up to date pricing information.  
Connect with MWorld on Social Media


I am very impressed with this app. The graphics are beautiful, the information is twaddle free and presented using excellent multimedia platforms.  The variety of topics covered is both broad and deep, we have  over a year of learning at our finger tips.

We are looking forward to learning more about the world around us using MWorld. Nathaniel enjoys following whatever path of curiosity he chooses, personally I like being able to use a professionally presented supplement to reinforce our current learning areas. 

Blessings
Chareen

Tuesday 4 June 2013

My Favourite Apps and Websites for Learning

This week's Homeschool Help topic is Your Favorite Apps (iPad or Droid) or Learning Websites.   I'm on the fence with on line learning. At heart I am a pencil, pen and paper girl.  I love the look and feel of a new or old book.

One of the things I have noticed with all the all new approach to schooling using Internet and app learning is that the new generation of learners have no understanding of information storage or how to learn. Using real books and the library is a natural way for students to learn how to find information accurately. This in turn empowers students to use Google more efficiently.

Saying this however I do love using the Internet and am here far more than I aught to be.  I love to discover new helps. I have also been using YouTube clips to enhance our learning and best of all I enjoy finding anything FREE to enrich our home education experience.

I do have a Galaxy Tab which I really delight in using for Pinterest.  I have used it for a few school apps. Here is a list of a few apps I've enjoyed and places I go to find apps if I'm looking.


Math
The first school Apps we used and totally love are The Squeebles from Key Stage Fun. I love these apps because there are no in-game purchasing or web links making them safe for Sir N to use.   They also have a good balance between work/play and a good stats area for me to monitor his progress. These apps are available for your iPhone, iPad, Android and Kindle Fire. Click on a button to find out more

Spelling


I was looking for a spelling app to use with Sir N when my blog friend Princess Warrior Jo told us about Squeebles Spelling.  I ♥ this app because I have total control.  I created the lists and record the words verbally which means that it's my accent he is learning to hear.



I really like the look of Word Wizard for the iPad.  This is a phonics based app that helps children with their spelling.





Handwriting
For Handwriting support I really liked using the Wet-Dry-Try app from Handwriting Without Tears. This app is available for your android and apple device.

HWOT Wet/Dry App Title pageHWOT Wet/Dry App Winning OrderHWOT Wet/Dry Pick and Practice

Art Appreciation
I really love these apps and have five volumes on my phone. I hope this company makes these apps available for the Galaxy Tab and I really love the look of the updated app that's available for the apple market.
ART vol 1 Early artists - up to 1600s (
Android Samsung Phones
ART vol 2
Baroque and Renaissance
(1600-1700)
Android Samsung phones





Art by ADS Software Group Inc
iTunes App Store iPhone App
ART HD Great Artists Gallery and Quiz FREE iTunes
ART HD Great Artists Gallery and Quiz Full Purchase Version on iTunes
App Schooling Central
I love going over to Ben and Me where Marcy shares her apple app discoveries.

Confessions of a Homeschooler Confessions of a Homeschooler
Over the years Erica has shared some of the iPad Apps she has used with her children 

Apps for Homeschooling

This site has apps organized by
  • Grade/Age
  • Subject (19 areas of learning)
  • Cost (Free, Lite and Paid)
  • Device (Android, HP, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Mac, Nook, Windows)
  • Rating (1-5, App of the Month/week/year, Golden App, guest review)
  • Giveaway
  • News
  • Top 10

 Pinterest



Where do you find your apps and which are your favourite?  I'm on the hunt for my one day maybe list.

Blessings
Chareen



This week

 ---ooOoo---

Linking with
Teach Me Tuesdays Hip Homeschool Hop Button The Homeschool Village

Friday 8 February 2013

Win Squeeble Fun for your iPad

Two weeks ago I shared my latest app discovery with you: The Squeeble gang from Key Stage Fun.

I have 5 sets of these three apps to giveaway.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Meet the Squeeble Family

Squeebles Maths


Squeebles Spelling



Giveaway Terms and Conditions:
  • This giveaway is offered worldwide, to anyone with Internet access.
  • The give away will commence at 12:01 AM EST / 2PM Australia NSW time on Friday 8 February and be open until midnight EST /  Tuesday 12 February, 2013. Winner will be announced by Wednesday 13 February, 2013
  • There are  FIVE prize packs consisting of 3 Apps each (Spelling, Times Tables and Maths Bingo).
  • A gift card will be emailed to you upon your acceptance of this gift.
  • These apps are for apple devices only. 
  • Prize can not be exchanged for money
  • No purchase necessary to win.
  • Giveaways are held with Rafflecopter; commenting will not enter you.
  • Winners are chosen by Random.org through Rafflecopter
  • Must be 18 years of age or older at time of entry.
  • If prize winner forfeits or does not claim the prize, prize will be re-awarded at my sole discretion. Void where prohibited by law. 
  • Please leave a way for me to contact you in your entry otherwise another winner will be chosen
  • This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Facebook. 
  • Odds of winning based on number of entries.
  • By entering this contest, you agree to release Every Bed of Roses and all associated parties/sponsors of any liability.
  • Winners will be announced in a Giveaway Post 
  • It is your responsibility to check the current price of any items before purchasing. 
  • Non of the links in this post are affiliate links.