Some of the best use I’ve seen of apps on the iPad is where teachers have engaged students using apps in conjunction with others. Filming activities, recording audio, adding the media to Keynote and annotating, demonstrating learning – that said, there are some great subject specific apps out there and in this post I’ll cover some of the apps available for the Humanities subject Geography.
Quakes
This free app allows you to see the latest earthquakes and get a push notification every time an earthquake is recorded. It enables you to browse the seismograph chart, map or list to show when and where an earthquake has occurred. You can also sort earthquakes alphabetically, by time, by magnitude or by distance at any location.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/quakes-earthquake-notifications/id327046574?mt=8
National Geographic HD
Designed specifically for the iPad, National Geographic’s new and improved World Atlas HD puts their best maps in the palm of your hand. £1.49 from iTunes
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/world-atlas-hd/id364733950?mt=8
World Customs & Cultures
This app is essential for any traveller. It includes customs, cultural information, and facts on over 165 different countries. Easily browsable by flag, by index, or just by scrolling, you’ll be able to find the exact country you’re looking to travel to or are currently in quickly and easily.
Each country is broken down into these separate cultural fact groups:
– Greetings
– Communication Style
– Personal Space & Touching
– Eye Contact
– Views of Time
– Gender Issues
– Gestures
– Taboos
– Law & Order
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/world-customs-cultures/id337842349?mt=8
205 National Anthems, Maps, Flags, Facts
This app, costing £1.49 is a comprehensive Collection of all the 205 national anthems, maps, flags, facts and lots of fun games on the anthems and flags.
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/205-national-anthems-maps/id317586957?mt=8
Google Earth
This app doesn’t need much of an introduction, but needless to say, this amazing free app needs to be used. Tying in with the browser based Google Earth, this amazing repository of knowledge enables you to Hold the world in the palm of your hand. With Google Earth for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, you can fly to far corners of the planet with just the swipe of a finger. Explore the same global satellite and aerial imagery available in the desktop version of Google Earth, including high-resolution imagery for over half of the world’s population and a third of the world’s land mass.
Globe for iPad
This free app is really good – lightweight, responsive, linking all countries to Wikipedia for instant access to Geography related information about all countries, it’s fab – highly recommended.
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/globe-for-ipad/id387435363?mt=8
Hello Mark, Thanks for this post.
I am thinking of buying an iPad to use in the classroom. Cannot afford a class set or anything. Do you know where i can get information about what if any advantages it would give me over my standard laptop as a teaching tool?
Thanks
Hi Mark,
Your World is the best I have seen. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/your-world/id412566625?mt=8 It is awesome indeed.
Cheers,
Andrew
Great article. Please add on another one we have just released. “Geo Challenge! World Map and Flag Master” would be a great additional to your child’s educational/geography apps. Not only does it include flash cards to aid memorization, but our Spinning Globe feature also allows kids to freely explore countries around the world and their various cultures.
iTunes (trial)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/geo-challenge-free-world-map/id576297649?mt=8
(paid)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/geo-challenge-world-map-flag/id575809396?mt=8
Try “Where is that” or “Geo Arena” for iOS and Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jaysquared.games.whereishd.relea sefree
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/where-is-that/id492240967?l=de&ls=1&mt=8