Australian NAPLAN (National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy) testing is happening next week, from the May 10 to 12. In the lead up to the national tests, Apple have put together a handy collection of apps and resources that can help students strengthen their literacy and numeracy skills.
School test image via Shutterstock
Apps For Primary Students
Personalising Learning for the Primary Classroom for free
iBook by Jaylene Fritchley, WA
Perth-based educator Jaylene Fritchley uses iPad to help students develop recognition of sight words to assist them with their reading.
English Collection
App Store Collection
This collection brings together a hand-curated selection of books and apps to help primary students advance their literacy skills, including sections on Phonics, Words & Spelling; Reading & Viewing; Writing & Creative Texts; and Interactive Texts.
Maths Collection
App Store Collection
This collection brings together a selection of handpicked apps to help primary students build their numeracy skills, including sections on Numbers & Algebra; Measurement & Spatial Reasoning; Drill & Practice; and Problem Solving.
Area & Perimeter for Upper Primary Students
iTunes U course by St Hilda’s School, QLD
Designed for students in the later stages of primary school, this course helps students learn to calculate the area and perimeter of a range of shapes using video tutorials and apps like Minecraft.
Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy for $7.99
App by Penguin New Zealand
The immensely popular Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy is now available as an interactive app, with wonderful narration by David Tennant (Doctor Who). Kids can read at their own pace, touch a word to hear it spoken or spelled, and even add their own artwork with paint mode. This valuable tool for early learning and literacy development also includes video narration in three sign languages; NZSL, AUSLAN & ASL.
Apps For Secondary Tertiary & Lifelong Learners
Maximising Volume
iTunes U course by Terry Jacka
Investigate “which box has the maximum volume” with Apple Distinguished Educator Terry Jacka, then take the quiz at the end to check that you’re ready to pump up the volume on your own.
English Essentials: Writing
iTunes U course by Harrisburg Area Community College
Develop essential writing skills including clear, coherent paragraphs and longer, thesis-driven essays, including focus on grammar and sentence-level skills. Investigate topics including storytelling, conflict, personal narrative, cause & effect, citation and argument.
English Language Learning
iTunes U course
This rich collection of resources provides English Language teachers around the world with levelled texts to help pupils become experienced and confident readers, as well as apps to develop speaking and writing skills. It also includes teacher resources including lesson ideas and best practices from other teachers.