7 May

iPad Learning Applications

The iPad really is a fantastic device and one that opens up a great number of opportunities. Many of us use them to game, to gamble or to browse aimlessly and kill time, but they can also be great tools of learning. The iPad not only unlocks the internet and all of the available knowledge therein, but there are also a multitude of apps available for it that make the learning process easy and fun. In this article we will take a look at some of those apps, with ways for kids and adults to increase their knowledge and maybe even to learn a new skill.

 

 

Google Maps

 

The power of Google Maps should never be underestimated or taken for granted. They have created something amazing, something that would have seemed impossible a decade or two ago, and yet something that we barely even acknowledge to this day. Using Google Maps and Google Street View you can literally travel the world. You can take a virtual stroll around Times Square, see the luxury skyscrapers in Dubai, take a trip to Buckingham Palace or the Houses of Parliament. This is an amazing tool and one that all kids and adults should have access to and should use at least once. The days of looking at maps, seeing pictures and reading stories about far-off places are behind us, now we can visit them ourselves from the comfort of our own home.

 

Google maps is also getting more and more advanced, constantly updating and adding new features. You can even go inside some buildings now, taking the virtual tour experience to a whole new level.

 

Adobe Inspire

 

This free magazine is packed full of a range of information, all of which is geared towards igniting the creativity in all of us. If you want to develop a talent, do something with your hands or test your mind and your imagination, then this could be a great place to start. Adobe also create some of the best software suites around, with everything from website developers, to game creators and much more.

 

Kindle

 

Another thing that we seem to take for granted these days is the fact that with devices and apps like Kindle, we have a world of fiction and non-fiction at our fingertips, most of which is available for free. You don’t need a Kindle to download the Kindle app and the many books that are available for it, and the beauty of Kindle is that as well as thousands of new titles being free for a short period of time, there are thousands more public domain titles (mainly classics) that are always free. The Kindle app is perfect for people of all ages, from those looking to enjoy a few free or cheap fiction titles, to those looking to brush up on a huge variety of non-fiction subjects.

 

TED Talks

 

Strictly for adults and inquisitive teenagers, TED Talks discuss the things that matter and can be a great source of information and understanding. As well as being enjoyed by students throughout the Western world, these talks are ask referenced extensively by educators who appreciate their insightfulness and their approach.

 

Cliffs Notes Study Guides

 

Many of us have used these notes in the past, and for a time they were seen as a great way to effectively “cheat” on literature assignments that required extensive book reviews. These notes basically discuss the key points of certain books, and they can provide a great way for literature students to brush up on the classics. The app is not free, but it only costs a couple of dollars and there are many books to choose from.

 

Babbel

 

Babbel create language apps that can help you to learn a new language. Whether you’re seeking to brush up on the local lingo before taking a long holiday, or you want to be fluent in a new language, then Babbel can help. They have many apps available, with languages such as Spanish and French covered. The apps don’t just work in the English language either, and those seeking to learn Spanish, for instance, can do so whether they speak Turkish, Swedish, Indonesian or a variety of other languages.

 

Driving Test Apps

 

If you are trying to pass your driving test then you can find plenty of apps to help you in the App Store. There are apps that cater for specific countries, with theory tests and more to help you prepare for the real thing.

 

How to Draw

 

This app does exactly what it promises, helping people learn to draw. It makes use of the multi-touch screen on the iPad to teach the basics of art in a step by step manner. It promises to help you like a professional art teacher would, and it delivers on that promise with lessons that all ages can follow.