nhteachtech-blog

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PHOTON WEB BROWSER

Photon 

Have you always wanted to play something flash in your Apple devices or android? Have you wondered if there is an app for opening sites which can open flash player websites.  Look no further because this is the app you are looking for!

Introducing: Photon

(For Android, iPad, iPhone and iPod.)

Apple:Download here!

Android:Download here!

Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Download This:

It can open flash player websites without downloading the flash plugin which is curruntly unavailabe  in the iPad, IPhone and Android.

Free for the android and it is very cheap in the iPad and iPhone, only $5. (That is so expensive! If you say so, then buy Android)

You can customise the colour of the background and make it colourful.

By: Eben Jahja (P6E)

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Word Twist

  If you're looking for a fast and fun game to build your vocabulary and spelling skills, look no further!  This is the app you're searching for… introducing: WORD TWIST!

Just for Windows Users!  

Download HERE!

(If you use Android, don't worry, we have an app for you, too.)

Top Three Reasons to Download this App:

  3. It's fun and colourful! I think interface (how it looks) is very important.  For Apps, the saying that one should not judge a book by its cover does not apply.  It must look good so we play the game.

2. It makes me think of words and this is good.

Who would have thought that out of 6 letters, I can think up 20 words (or more!) of varying lengths.  Word Twist thought about it and developed this game.

1. It gives the definitions of the words I don't know (but which I spelt out correctly!  Go figure…)  If I try a word out (for points!) and I manage to make one up… I can click the word and find out what it means.  This is how that click looks:

I really enjoy this game and a lot of my students enjoy it, too.  Go ahead and download it and have fun!  (Android users, wait for the next review and we will get back to you.)

[nhteachtech-blog]

Dictionary.com

Dictionary.com is a nifty app to install in your phone.  It helps you define, find synonyms and antonyms and pronounce words you want to explore.  

The UI or User Interface, a fancy way of saying "How it looks and works," is simple and easy to understand (user-friendly).  I haven't found any other app with this much goodness in it!

Top 3 Reasons to Download Dictionary.com

3. Dictionary.  Definitions are apt, complete and simple to understand - just what we need from a dictionary!

2. Thesaurus option.  It's two books in one!

1. Pronunciation Button.  It pronounces the word for you!

How to Use Dictionary.com:

1. Download and Install Dictionary.com. Here’s the link in Google Play: http://bit.ly/GMC7Rb

2. Open Dictionary.com. This is how the Home Page looks.  

Daily - Clicking on this will lead you to a "Word for the Day" page.

  Thesaurus - Clicking on this will lead you to the Thesaurus and provide you with synonyms and antonyms of the word you are exploring.

Favorites - Clicking on this will bring you to a list of words you have "Favorite"-d or Starred.

Recent, Trends and More will not be covered here as they aren't really needed to study the word.

3. Type the word you want to look up in the rectangle on top of the screen.  I used the word "Wimpy" for this exercise as I just finished re-reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

4. Click the Magnifying Glass button to search for the word.  This is what came up for 'Wimpy:'

5. Click the Share Button (which looks like a square with an arrow) to share the entry via Facebook, Twitter, Email or SMS.  This is pretty handy if you discovered an interesting word and want to share the information with your friends.

This is how share via SMS looks:

6. Going back to the word entry, you can click the "T" button on the left to shift to the Thesaurus function.  It will quickly bring you to the Thesaurus entry of the word you are exploring.

7. Clicking the "D" button which replaced the "T" button will bring you back to the Dictionary entry.

8. If you'd like to hear how the word is pronounced, click the gray 'Speaker' button on the lower right side.

9. If you really like the word, you can "Favorite" it or "Star" it for easy reference.  Just click the gray "Star" button below the "Speaker" button.

There are a few more buttons for you to explore on your own but the functions I've enumerated and walked you through should be enough for everyday use. 

All in all. it's a beautiful app that is a definite MUST for everyone's SmartPhone!

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Spelling Apps: Ace Your Spelling Test!

Ace Your Spelling Test

This app is one of the reasons I fell in love with my Samsung Note and the Android system. :)  It's one of the first apps I installed in my Note 1 and I kept it in my Note 2.  It's so good, I highly recommend it to all and require my students to download it for practice.

This app allows you to write in your spelling list, it says the words for you (you don't need to record your voice!) and tells you whether you spelt the word correctly or not!  It's perfect for practice!

Top 3 Reasons to Download Ace Your Spelling Test

3. Your own spelling lists.  Not some pre-loaded spelling list from some group of people somewhere.  This app actually helps you with the words you need to work with. 2. Google Translate.  It helps your device say the words you typed in.  You don't need to work on perfect pronunciation nor look for someone to read for you.  It automatically reads the words for you through the Google Translate software. 1. Corrections.  It tells you if you correctly spelt a word - or not.  All you need to do is try again (and again and again - as many times as you want, or need) until you ace all the words in your list!

How to Use Ace Your Spelling Test:

1. Download and Install Ace Your Spelling Test. Here’s the link in Google Play: http://bit.ly/Rly9bl

2. Open Ace Your Spelling Test

3. Press the Menu button on your Gadget.  It should look like this:

4. Click the "+" on the lower left of the screen. It should lead you here:

5. Rename the Spelling Test xx/xx/xx x:xx xx to Spelling Test (List #).

6. Press Enter and start encoding the words in your list.  

7. Press Enter after each word.

8. After encoding the last word in your list, press the save button.

9. Repeat Steps 4 to 8 until you have encoded all your spelling lists.

10. On the Homescreen, click the Spelling List you want to practice with.

11. Listen to the first word.

12. Write the word with the correct spelling in the box on top of the screen.

13.  If you'd like to listen to the word again, click the 'speaker' button so the the device can play the word again.

14. If you are satisfied with your answer, click the 'tick' button.  The app will let you know if you spelt it correctly, 'Correct,' or incorrectly, 'Incorrect.'  Then it will move on to the next word.

15. At the end of the test, it will tell you how many of the words you spelt correctly and ask you if you want to exit or retake the quiz.

16. Repeat Steps 10 to 15 with all your Spelling Lists until you've aced each test. :)

I really think this app is very helpful for students who want to practice for their spelling tests.  If you're one of my students, you are required to download the app and use it for practice.  

Looking forward to aced spelling tests from my remarkable students this coming term!

[nhteachtech-blog]

Spelling Apps: Speak and Spell

I just finished modifying Primary 4's spelling list this coming semester and thought it would be a good time to share two of my favorite spelling apps: 'Speak and Spell' and 'Ace Your Spelling Test.'

Speak and Spell

I was thrilled to find this on the Android PlayStore!  I had one of these when I was very young and lugged it around with me everywhere!  

It introduced me to new words, helped me hone my pronunciation and encouraged me to practice spelling words which were not even in my spelling list!  I think I played my red box until it was hoarse. :)

It is a bit analogue but its nostalgic look lends an authentic feel to the experience.  I recommend it to my Primary 4 students!

Top 3 Reasons to Download Speak and Spell

3. The Say It Mode - It helped me with my pronunciation of words in English when I was very young.  It is one of my personal building blocks in language. 2. The Spell Mode - Fantastic for spelling practice! 1. The Mystery Word Mode - Aided in building my vocabulary!  I loved guessing the words it threw at me.

How to Use Speak and Spell:

1. Download and Install Speak and Spell. Here’s the link in Google Play: http://bit.ly/W5wyDq

2. Open Speak and Spell.

3. Type 'HELP' for instructions on How to Play.

4. Play

5. Enjoy.

(Will share my thoughts on 'Ace Your Spelling Test' tomorrow.  For now, enjoy the red box!)

[nhteachtech-blog]

Goodreads is a fun informative app and highly recommended for Primary students. Top 3 Reasons to Download Goodreads 3. Reviews. You can read what other people thought about the book, and use their input as a pre-reading primer. 2. Reading Log - just got easier and more fun! 1. Sense of Accomplishment. You see all the books you've read and your thoughts on each one ssyou read them and after. How to Use Goodreads: 1. Download Goodreads. Here's the link to Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodreads&hl=en 2. Set-up an account. It's pretty simple, click "Sign up" and follow instructions. For those who need to watch someone make an account, here's a video for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6xBc9w8oF0&sns=em 3. Click in My Books and scan the barcode to register your book onto your Goodread Shelf. 4. Place it on your "Currently Reading" shelf. 5. Write in a status before you read: Go to your Goodreads app. a. Click on My Books. b. Click on Currently Reading. c. Long click on the book you're reading. d. Scroll down and click on Progress. e. Fill in the blanks: On page 0 of XXX; then write in your comment. f. Click Save. 6. Do Step 5 everytime you read your book.

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The Galaxy Note 10.1 :)

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This is what we want our students to experience. What we want them to capture. To learn through play. To learn because they want to. To know that the universe is one "uninterrupted learning experience."

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What better way to start this journey than a series of illustrations which show how entrances to magical worlds can be magical places, too.

Gracia Lam