Mobile Nations - great resources for all mobile OS's and devices

If you own a smartphone or tablet, you should be using Mobile Nations. Mobile Nations is a group of web sites that each focus on a mobile operating systems. Each site has app reviews, hardware reviews, accessory reviews, tips, resources, forums, help topics, and much more.

These sites are great for anyone who uses a mobile system, including teachers, students, and others. Find out about new apps, resources, tips, problems, help and more. Share them with your friends, students, and colleagues. Education apps and uses for the systems are often featured on the sites. EdTech and IT personnel can find help information, reviews, and more to help them use these devices.

I use Android Central (and subscribe via RSS) for my Android Smartphone to find tips, app reviews, and more. I use webOS Nation for my HP TouchPad. I've learned about new apps, problems, help tips, and more from these sites and spent a lot of time on Android Central reading phone reviews before purchasing my Droid Incredible 2.

There are 5 sites/communities based on different mobile systems.

Android Central for all things Android.

Crackberry for Blackberry.

iMore for iOS (iPhone and iPad)

WP Central for Windows Phone/Mobile

webOS Nation for webOS (Palm/HP)

Android for Education Resources

Mobile Apps and Resources for Students and Teachers

Smart phones are an incredible educational tool for both educators and students. I have an Android Smart Phone and I can do pretty much everything with it that I can do on my computer or laptop or tablet. This means that I always have access to my data, files, information, and can do work anywhere. Students have the same ability with their smart phones. They have access to information, class resources, and so much more at any time. Instead of buying a $200 graphing calculator, they can buy a $0.99 app. There are tons of great apps out there for educators and students to use.

Here are some mobile / smart phone apps and resources for students and teachers:

100 Mobile Tools for Teachers - mobile sites and resources for teachers

Android for Education - resources, apps, links, and much more

10 Great, Free Apps for Students for Notetaking and Class Planning
My students used their cellphones in class - and I encouraged it!

Google Calendar and cell phones

Infographic on Mobile devices and Studying - and free apps to help

Mobile Learning Resources

Infographic - What do High School Students want from mobile tech

Google Mobile Apps - access your Google apps on mobile web browsers

QuickOffice - essential app for mobile devices

Essential Apps and Installs for Windows, Chrome, Android

5 Must-Have iPhone Apps for Students

Related:

10 Important Skills Students need for the Future

Infographic - What do High School Students want from mobile tech

    

ASCD (Association for Curriculum and Development) has taken statistics from a variety of sources and coalates it into a nice infographic about students, mobile learning, learning methods and what high school students want in mobile learning.

The research shows that banning mobile devices in school does not work and that schools should be embracing these devices and helping students use them for learning. Some of the stats:

63 percent of students attending schools carry their mobile devices despite the rules (probably conservative)
63 percent of students want online textbooks with communication facilities;
40 percent want online texts with collaboration tools.
43 percent stated social media is one of the main ways they communicate with friends online.
62 percent of student use the Internet as a new source; whereas 17 percent use it to gain knowledge concerning topics generally difficult to talk about — such as drug use.

I am one of those teachers who hastes the rule banning these devices. I've allowed my students to use them in class before and, along with some other faculty, is pushing to change the rules. 

Check out the infographic below for more data on this topic.

Source:  ZDNet - http://www.zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/what-do-high-school-students-want-from-mobile-tech-infographic/15843


Related:

My students used their cellphones in class - and I encouraged it!
Android Smartphone and Apps I use as an educator

Android for Education resources and apps

5 Great Smartphone Apps for the High School Science Classroom - Guest Post

5 Great Smartphone Apps for the High School Science Classroom
Technology is a crucial part of the modern classroom. Especially in science, teachers who embrace the use of new technologies provide their students with learning tools that are both fun and useful. Apps for smartphones are just the latest way to integrate learning and technology. Below are some of the best new apps for high school science classrooms.


Frog Dissection by Emantras Inc
Available for iPad and iOS for just $3.99, Frog Dissection is a great ethical alternative to the classic biology lab. For those students who conscientiously object to opening up an actual frog on their lab tables, the Frog Dissection app gives them the chance to explore anatomy in a new way. The realistic app mimics the actual procedure of dissecting using step by step instructions and virtual dissection tools. Clear 3D imaging allows students to see each organ in vivid detail. In addition to the dissection, the app contains information about classification, organ functions, and the lifecycle of frogs, as well as a comparison to human anatomy.


Atomium: Periodic Table by Henri Hansen
Chemistry students are constantly referring to the periodic table of the elements to find atomic masses, atomic numbers, and other important facts. With a periodic table app, students can have the information at their fingertips. Atomium, available on iOs and iPad for $0.99, is a great reference app that provides more information about each element than any student could hope for. It also allows users to regroup and recolor the elements according to properties. This is a great way to help students visualize the trends and patterns that are otherwise tough to see in a static table.


Science Friday BE by ScienceFriday Inc.
Most high school students are likely unaware of NPRs Friday talk show. The app for iPhone and Android is a great way to introduce students to the show that makes science relevant and fun. Teachers can use stories from the program as teachable moments and to further explore concepts taught in the classroom. A new aspect of the SciFri app is the show’s science and the arts section. It can help to engage students who are more interested in creative subjects. And best of all, the app is free.


Skeptical Science by Shine Technolgies
High school students are full of questions. One of the most contentious and political debates today is the one over global warming. Science teachers are often bombarded with questions regarding the ins and outs of the debate. With this free app, students can explore the whole range of doubts, questions, and skeptical arguments made regarding climate change. Skeptical Science keeps up to date with all new arguments made against climate change and offers counter arguments backed by hard science.


Vernier Video Physics by Vernier Software and Technology
Vernier has long provided teachers with technology for the physics classroom. Now, for just $2.99, students can visualize and analyze motion with this Vernier app. Students film the motion of an object  with their phones and the app displays the path of the object on a graph for analysis. This is a great tool for taking basic physics concepts into the real world.

Mary Ellen Ellis is a science teacher and writer for Teacher Certification Degrees, a career site for individuals interested in researching how to become a teacher in their state and featuring interviews with current teachers and leaders in the education field.






Related:


Android for Education resources and apps