Below are four free educational iPad apps we want to bring to your attention. While they can be used across different content areas, these apps are particularly useful for social studies teachers. From reading about the world’s endangered species to exploring the nuances of world history through documents and photos, these apps are definitely a valued addition to the digital toolkit you have prepared for this new school year.
1- WWF Together
‘Experience the world’s most amazing and endangered animals in one app – together. This interactive experience brings you closer to the stories of elephants, whales, rhinos and other fascinating species. Discover their lives and the work of WWF in a way you’ve never seen before. Try out “tiger vision,” stay as still as the polar bear during a hunt, and chop the panda’s bamboo. Explore the animals’ stories, then fold them up and share them with the world.’
2- National Archives DocsTeach
‘Engage in activities that will help you make sense of stories, events, and ideas of the past using documents from the holdings of the US National Archives. Choose an historical topic and challenge yourself with an activity. Or, find activities in a classroom set up just for you, using the code provided to you from the DocsTeach.org web site.’
3- News-O-Matic
‘News-O-Matic covers relevant news of the day in an engaging way, exploring its many facets through images, maps, videos, and games. Whether your interest is sports, science, world news, or wacky events, News-O-Matic delivers what’s making the news! It offers a window to the world and beyond helping readers become global citizens! ’