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Favorite iPad tools:Osmo

There are so many tools for iPads out there that to begin to name my favorites is a daunting task.  But I will try to name a few.  The first I want to discuss is Osmo, which impresses me for multiple reasons.

  1. It inspires creativity

  2. It encourages activity

  3. It is hands on

  4. It is adaptable  to many ages and abilities

For those that don't know, Osmo consists of an increasing number of apps for the iPad, a tray that positions your iPad vertically and an attachment that fits over the screen side camera.  It is a very simple setup that I am sure many others wish they would have thought of before the creative geniuses behind Osmo.  But that isn't where the magic is found.  The real magic is in the apps and the pieces that go along with Osmo. Currently there are eight apps available and it always seems like they are developing more.  The first few they released were enough to get me hooked on the product.

The first Osmo app I used was the Tangram app.  The unit came with a set of tangram pieces and when in the app you are given an ever increasingly assortment of shapes to create using your tangram pieces.  The great thing about it is if you assembly the pieces in front of your iPad in the Osmo tray it will give you visual feedback on the screen.  A great way to check your work as you go.  It also inspires some problem solving skills for you or your child/student.

I tried is the Words app.  This is a great hangman style game you can play with a competitor.  Each of you are give different colored letters and race to spell the word from the hints on the screen.  The person that gets the most letters wins.

Newton is a great physics engine that requires you to draw on a paper in front of your iPad.  As you draw the lines and curves appear on the screen.  Your goal is to move the dropping balls to the desired targets.  You don't just have to draw.  You can also place objects in front of the iPad to create barriers for the balls.

The app that I am most impressed with is Masterpiece.  This app takes a stock photo or a photo of your choice and converts it to an outline drawing on the screen.  When you place your hand on the paper in front of the iPad, it appears on the screen.  Your goal is to watch your hand on the screen to trace the image on the screen.  As you do so you are drawing/replicating the image on the screen.  This is a great way create a self portrait or masterpiece of your own.  This one is one of my daughters favorites.

I have yet to find anything to compare to this tools and compared to others, it is very affordable.  If you want to know more, go to the Osmo website.

If you are interested in the lessons they have developed for the classroom, checkout the Osmo Schools page.
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