Archive for May, 2011

Should Kindergarteners Use iPads in School? Hear What Some of Our Friends Had to Say

Posted by ruckusholly on May 27th, 2011

aubrun ipadby Holly Rosen Fink

5/26/2011

The Auburn, Maine school department announced this week that every kindergarten student in the district will receive an iPad 2 tablet for the upcoming fall semester.  There are 285 students and teachers, and the endeavor will cost around $200,000.

As a test program, 20 or so students will get their iPads in May.

Curious about this endeavor and conscious of the rapid changes that are going on in our schools and beyond, we posed this question to some of our friends on Twitter:

Do you think kindergarteners should get an iPad as part of their curriculum?

Reactions were mixed, mostly positive but the odd not-so-sure. Remember, each response was posted in 140 characters or less, in typical Twitter style.  Here are some of the responses:

 

Sarah Hayden @SarahHaydenToo

Let us know the results. Very curious. My research says they bring them to primary grades anyway.

 

Kim Daboo @ClumberKim

Yes. I grew up in Auburn, where the iPad in K controversy started. Those kids need all the support they can get.

 

Emily Tickle Thomas @eticklethomas

My Kindergartener (whole public elem. school) uses iPod touches occasionally. A “community” cart shared within K-5 school.

 

Donia Fahem  @DoniaF

Yes, absolutely but only if used in a developmentally appropriate way. The iPads are intuitive and children learn by seeing and doing.

 

KC@desertdealsdiva

Definitely. My 3yo loves it and has learned a lot. It has also improved his hand-eye coordination!

 

Jacquie @After_Words

I would spend my money on staff before tech, but if staff were in place & trained to use the iPad, then sure.

 

Michelle Kay @thedomesticexec

An iPad would be ideal for inclusion in any curriculum, esp. for K students who thrive with hands on learning,& its a fab intro to tech.

 

Catherine Revzon @WestonCTMoms

Yes, backpacks should just carry a snack & a tablet, like iPad. We would be saving so many trees! Worksheets can be completed w/ a stylus…

…Kindergarteners would be able to learn to read with the apps that allow voice recordings. They could hear themselves read, too….

They can create a digital archive of paper artwork. Other subjects, like math, music, & Spanish, can be reviewed with educational games.

The possibilities are endless and all good!

 

Shoshanna Raff @KosherShopaholic

No, I do not. Maybe 1 for the classroom to use learning apps or show videos but not each child.

 

Dawn Stott  @TheDawnStott

 

“Do you think kindergarteners should get an iPad as part of their curriculum?” Not only that, I think they should get their own start-up!

 

What do you think?  Please leave your comments here or on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/RuckusMediaGroup.

 

Note: Photo source:  http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2011/04/11/auburn_maine_kindergarten_students_to_get_ipad_2s

A Conversation with David A. Carter, Creator of Spot the Dot

Posted by ruckusholly on May 26th, 2011

by Holly Rosen Fink

05/26/2011

David A. CarterDavid A. Carter is one of the modern masters of the pop-up book, whose work has surprised and delighted children around the world.  He’s best-known for the Bugs in a Box series, which has sold more than 6.5 million copies in 12 countries.  One Red Dot, the first of his innovative books featuring abstract, Calder-like paper sculptures, pushed the boundaries of what a pop-up book can be.  The sequels, 600 Black Spots and White Noise, were both named New York Times Best Illustrated Books.  Originally from Utah,  he lives in northern (Auburn) California with his family.  When he’s not cutting, scoring, bending, or gluing paper or designing apps, he loves to ski.

As the creator and master behind our new app along with Unicorn Labs, Spot the Dot, David has more than just one story to tell.  We sat down with him to talk to him about his work, his inspirations and, of course, Spot the Dot.

Ruckus Media: Of all the things in this app, creative, technological, etc., what excited you the most?

David:  First I am very happy with the richness of colors that we see on the iPad, and I am very excited about the addition of interactive sound and animation in my work. In the app, there are two places where the child can experiment with sound, I find myself “playing” the black dot playspace over and over.

Ruckus Media: Could you compare the pop-up creative process with the app-making creative process?

David: The creative process was very similar yet completely different. It is similar because we started theSpot the Dot app with a concept, as I do with a pop-up book, but the medium is very different and a medium that is quite new to me. With pop-ups I do the entire project myself, I solve the design problems using my own personal experience and knowledge of art and paper engineering. With the app I have absolutely no experience programming software so we went into the project blind and with the help of the programmer learned what is possible, what is not possible and what might be possible in the future.

Ruckus Media: Clearly Spot the Dot is an ideal app to help toddlers and preschoolers learn colors.  Did you design it specifically for that audience or did it just come to be that way?

David: We designed this app for young children and learning colors by reading, seeing and touching the colors is the concept that we started with. The age old game of hide & seek, or Freud’s concept of fort da, is the method we employed to make learning colors pleasurable and fun.

Spot the DotRuckus Media: What do you want kids to get out of Spot the Dot?

David: First I hope the app is entertaining and fun. In addition to color identification, the child will use visual tracking and eye hand coordination. There are also a couple of surprises for the child and parent to discover.

Ruckus Media: So, more apps from David Carter?  More Spot the Dot type apps from David Carter?

David: Yes, I have new ideas for apps jotted down in my Moleskine note books. Some of the ideas are similar to Spot the Dot and others are very different, we’ll see where it all goes. I am certain that I will always make pop-up books but I am also intrigued with new mediums such as the app.

Ruckus Media: Anything else you care to share?

David: I always like to say that I hope my art tickles your mind and please touch the art!

Please pick up your copy of Spot the Dot on iTunes today.  Also, join our dedicated Spot the Dot Facebook page, and while you’re at it, please join us over on Twitter for conversation, giveaways and the latest information on all our apps.

 

 

Can YOU Spot the Dot? Our newest iPad app is now available on iTunes!

Posted by allyson on May 25th, 2011

by Allyson Kane, Ruckus Media Group Staff Marketing Specialist

05/25/2011

We are proud to announce the release of our 17th and 18th app, Spot the Dot and Spot the Dot Lite, the first apps from pop-up master and New York Times best-selling children’s book author David A. Carter (One Red Dot and the Bugs in a Box series). Spot the Dot combines the iPad’s touchscreen abilities with sound, artistry, and animation techniques to create an amazing aesthetic experience that will delight toddlers, preschoolers, and the young at heart.

Teach colors, improve small motor skills and dexterity, marvel at the use of these incredible graphics and smile as you and your kids Spot the Dot over and over again.

Check out the video below for a chat with author David A. Carter and watch as he takes us through a preview of Spot the Dot.

 

Head on over to iTunes and get yours today.

 

Check us out on Facebook.

Follow us on Twitter.

In Conversation: Kim Kuta, Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Posted by ruckusholly on May 23rd, 2011

5/23/2011

by Holly Fink, Ruckus Media Staff Marketing Consultant

One of the best parts of developing our new Rainforest Survival Challenge App is getting to know our partners at Stepping Stones Museum for Children (located in Norwalk, CT) and Rainforest Alliance. We are thrilled to be involved with these two important educators and advocates.

Stepping Stones MuseumWe’ve decided to feature information about each organization in the upcoming week.  First we sat down with Kim Kuta from Stepping Stones.  Kim is the museum’s Director of Evaluation and Grant Research.  Kim was integral in the development of our new app and has a lot of knowledge about the Rainforest Adventure exhibit, which leaves the museum to tour the country next week.  She was able to utilize this knowledge in the creation of the app which we’re all very proud of.

Ruckus: Can you give us a brief overview of Stepping Stones?

Kim: At Stepping Stones,  play is serious business!  Our mission is to broaden and enrich the educational opportunities for children ages ten and under and to enhance their understanding of the world.  We thrive on building strong community collaborations and creating experiences that inspire life long learning.

Ruckus: Tell us a little bit more about Rainforest Adventure.  How is it interactive?  How do the kids learn (without even knowing they’re learning?)

Kim: Rainforest Adventure is a multi-sensory exhibit that introduces children to tropical rainforestsStepping Stones Museum around the world.  Through creative, imaginative and graphically clever design elements, children can experience the challenges facing these unique ecological wonders and learn that people of all ages can make a difference.  Children can role-play as researcher assistants, put on research vests, use binoculars, climb a kapok tree, crawl through a fallen log and explore four different rainforest regions around the world.  They can search for animals, colors and familiar objects from rainforest cultures; study a gorilla nest, explore plant life in the layers of the rainforest; weave on a traditional weaving loom and discover products that come from the rainforest—all just by playing and having fun.  The exhibit also introduces visitors to children who live in rainforests around the world and shows them how rainforest children and their families help protect the rainforests

Ruckus: What if our readers are outside of CT and the greater NYC area – how can they enjoy the exhibit?

Kim: Rainforest Adventure will be leaving Stepping Stones Museum for Children in May 2011 to embark on a national tour.  The first stop will be at the Crown Center in Kansas City, MO until September 2011 where it will then travel to the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul until December 2011.

Stepping Stones MuseumRuckus: What kinds of resources do you have for families and teachers?  Are there additional materials that would help a teacher round out their curriculum?

Kim: The Family and Teacher Resource Center contains books, periodicals, online resources, games and apps.  It’s open any time the museum is open and is a great way for families and teachers to explore a variety of topics and activities.  Visit in person at the museum or check out the resources online.  Our staff members will help teachers locate materials and activities to fit their curriculum needs.  The museum also offers plant and animal workshops for schools.

Ruckus: If fans of our app are looking for more materials and ways to learn about/engage in rainforest activities, do you have online resources to give them extra information/activities?

Kim: We created this exhibit with the Rainforest Alliance—they are an excellent resource for all things related to rainforests.  Fans can also visit the Stepping Stones Family and Teacher Resource Center page (online) or call/visit to speak with a staff member.

 

Rainforest Survival Challenge is currently available on Apple’s iTunes app store for only $0.99 until Sunday.  A portion of the proceeds from app sales will go to support education initiatives at Rainforest Alliance and Stepping Stones Museum for Children.

Bloggy Boot Camp Boston

Posted by ruckusholly on May 19th, 2011

5/19/2011

by Holly Fink, Ruckus Media Staff Marketing Consultant

Last week I attended Bloggy Boot Camp in Boston.  Run by the SITS Girls, it was an amazing conference full of useful information presented by some very knowledgeable women in the bloggosphere.  There were sessions about branding, content, pitches, legalities, photos, monetization and social good.

Here are a few of our key takeaways (there were many!):

1. Branding is everything: understand your guiding principles, the purpose of your site, and what makes you unique – and then stick to it.

2. Content is key to getting noticed.

3. SEO is no joke – if you’re not using it, start.

4. The more pictures you take, the better your photography is, and always ask for permission to use a photo.

5. Every single action you take should build your brand.

We were also excited to connect with some of our fans and future reviewers, like Cindy Meltzer at www.thesocialcraft.com, Theresa Gordon at www.accidentallyhomeschooling.com, Drew Bennett at www.benspark.com,Annmarie Seldon at www.trendymommies.com.  We also hooked up with Renee Iseson of www.sensiblecents.com who just posted a great review of our new Rainforest Survival Challenge and Varda from www.squashedmom.com.  She was one of our Autism Twitter Party moderators a few months ago.

Finally, our friend Mommy Niri from www.mommyniricares.com gave powerful advice on how to use social media to make a difference.  She reminded us that our voices are powerful and we can make the world we live in a better place to live in via social media and outreach.

Music to our ears.  As app developers, all of us here at Ruckus want to bring literacy and learning into a child’s life.  It’s always good to hear that social media and social good go hand in hand.

It was an amazing, inspiring day, and the ladies behind SITS, Tiffany Romero and Francesca Banducci, sure know how to throw a good blogging conference.

Are Apps Good for Kids? Hear What Some of Our Friends Had to Say.

Posted by ruckusholly on May 13th, 2011

5/13/2011

by Holly Fink, Ruckus Media Staff Marketing Consultant

Chilld playing iPad

We had a lot of buzz on our Twitter stream yesterday after we posted a reaction to the article “Why Every Child in America Needs an iPad” on CultofMac.com.  You should definitely read this article as it outlines the dangerous impact TV has as compared to the iPad. The stats featured in the article are mind-bloggling, and the pros of the iPad clearly outweigh the cons.

When we posed the question to our Twitter followers and blogger friends Are Apps Good for Kids?, we got some interesting responses. They all stress education and moderation as two key factors in their evaluation of what’s good for their children, but everyone only has positive things to say about the iPad.   It’s clear to all of us that iPads are here to stay and are obviously going to help, not hurt, our children in the long run.

 

 

 

Here are a few of them which definitely gave us food for thought:

 

Megan Montgomery from Megan’s Spice (who’s son, Alex is pictured, above playing our very own John Henry)

They can be great for kids!  We’ve seen them help introduce new concepts & reinforce older ones. Either way, it’s fun learning!

 

Michelle Kay from Domestic Executive Online 

Apps 4 kids like anything else r great in moderation. Choose high quality and use as a tool to enhance learning.

 

Alyssa Kingbury from A Motherhood Experience Johnny Appleseed

Apps r great educational tools for kids especially ones like Ruckus who engage the audience. In moderation learning games do help.

 

Susan Mann from Susankmann 

Yes depending on how they are monitor they can be educational.

 

Tahnie Woodward from Monster Meter 

I think apps can be good for kids if they solve a problem, like kids afraid of monsters.

 

Kim McNeil from Fairfield County Kids Out and About

I say yes! I have apps that teach phonics, math facts, vocabulary, anatomy, geometry, track homework. Angry Birds has physics.

 

Velveteen RabbitShari Simpson-Cabelin fromDusty Earth Mom

Listen, kids are going to be nabbing your iPhone anyway, so let’s take advantage and give them something worthwhile to look at, engage in, and possibly, dare I say, learn from. Though I am still waiting for those apps called “Obey Your Parents Odyssey” and “The Angry Birds Want You To Clean Your Room.

 

Suzanne Chan from Mom Confessional 

I love apps for kids when I need to keep them busy.  I utilize them most when we’re at a restaurant, grocery shopping and even when I need a few minutes to myself at home.  In moderation, it’s a wonderful thing if you can provide an educational component that is of course, controlled.

 

Renee Iseson from www.sensiblecents.com

I love letting my children use apps on my phone.  They serve several purposes- not only do they keep them busy for a few minutes when I need them to be (waiting in lines or at the Dr.’s office), they are great teaching tools too. I can certainly see improved eye-hand coordination, focus and attention and for my pre-reader it’s great for teaching him letter recognition and sounds. He can follow stories that are read to him and he can play interactive games. I am sure he’ll be teaching me about other apps in the near future!

 

Charlene DeLoach from Charlene Chronicles

I think so, depending on the app.  One app my 18m old likes, helps with learning cause and effect.

 

Nathalie Van Ee from Fun Educational Apps

Yes, I do think apps are good for kids as long as you give them the right ones.  I think some apps give kids a chance to practice some activities that they would not do otherwise.  Take a math game for example.  I know my kids will happily play with it on their own (as long as it looks like a game!) but not take a piece of paper and start doing some math games on their own!

My oldest kids has dyslexia and struggles with spelling.  For years although he worked hard at his spelling over the week he could never get the Friday spelling test correct.  For the last 3 months, we have been using the spelling app on the iPad and since then every week now managed to get his spelling correct for the test!

As with everything, I think apps can be good for children as long as you can manage which ones and how long they can play.  But one thing for sure, it looks like apps are bringing a new dimension to learning. The quality of apps is changing….and some new apps are coming out.

 

Linda Grant from NYC Single Mom

I love apps my daughter for three reasons: 1) low-cost alternative to video games, you can’t be free or 99 cents versus $35 game 2) book apps are great for traveling on both short and long trips and 3) it keeps this firmer game up to date with hottest games on the market.   If not for my daughter,  I would never have heard about Angry Birds. 

 

Our newest app was built specifically for the iPad.  It’s called Rainforest Survival Challenge and is available on iTunes today.

Also, please join us on Twitter at @ruckusmedia where you can get our latest and greatest updates, giveaways and conversation.

Disclosure: The opinions expressed are the opinions of each person mentioned; nothing has been modified.

Join The Conversation: The iPad as a Learning Tool

Posted by allyson on May 12th, 2011

by Allyson Kane, Ruckus Media Staff Marketing Specialist

05/12/2011

To avoid the glares of fellow passengers, I always try to book flights during nap times. On our return flight to New York from Miami last month, I wasn’t so lucky as to get the time I wanted. Both my kids were wide awake.

Enter my iPad and the twelve children’s apps I have downloaded for my Toddler. She sat in my lap and listened to Pecos Bill and flipped the pages working the touch animations in A Present for Milo for a good part of the flight. After about 30-minutes of screen time, she asked for her crayons, climbed back into her car seat and colored to the best of her two-year-old ability in her My Little Pony coloring book.

IMG_2109

A woman seated behind us tapped my shoulder and asked me how old the children were. She happened to have a granddaughter the same age as my toddler and a school-age grandson. She told me that she had read such wonderful things about the iPad as an educational tool that she had purchased the just-then-released iPad2 two weeks ago. She admitted that her purchase was largely to help her grandchildren practice the alphabet and learn math facts.

We talked about this young generation and how they’re easily able to manipulate the device when it proves difficult for older people learn. This is natural for them. This is their normal. She inquired about the apps my daughter was playing with. Naturally after I told her I explained that I was slightly biased in my app purchases seeing that I’m employed by a new media company specializing in app development for children.

I read an article this week on a blog called Cult of Mac that has drawn quite a bit of controversy. I do believe that the use of iPads as a tool verses the use of them as a babysitter is vastly different and I think it’s this fact about which parents (and the many people that commented on the post) find themselves conflicted. I think the writer’s points in relation to television watching were dead on. As a parent, I’m much more content to sit with my child and play educational games, read classic stories, and work on her small-motor skills through the use of touch-point apps, then I am plopping her down in front of the TV.

What do you think? Is there a fine line this new technology is walking? What are your parenting rules when it comes to letting your children interact with the iPad?

In Conversation: Maria Ghiso, Rainforest Alliance

Posted by ruckusholly on May 10th, 2011

5/10/11

by Holly Fink, Ruckus Media Staff Marketing Consultant

Rainforest AllianceWe’re still celebrating the launch of our recent app, Rainforest Survival Challenge, with our partners at Stepping Stones Museum for Children andRainforest Alliance.  Last week we sat down with Kim Kuta, Director of Evaluation and Grant Research at Stepping Stones.

This week we sat down with Maria Ghiso, Education Outreach Coordinator at the Rainforest Alliance.   Maria was integral in the development of Rainforest Survival Challenge.  She served as the content expert for the Rainforest Survival Challenge, and helping to research all the unique Amazon species included in the app.

As Education Outreach Coordinator for the Rainforest Alliance, Maria is involed in developing the educational materials available on the Learning Site and works with teachers and students in the US, Guatemala and Ghana to help connect kids to conservation.

Ruckus: Tell us a bit about the mission of the Rainforest Alliance.

Maria: The Rainforest Alliance’s mission is to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. We believe that the best way to keep forests standing is to ensure that it is profitable for businesses and communities to do so. That means helping farmers, forest managers and tourism businesses realize greater economic benefits by ensuring that ecosystems within and around their operations are protected, and that their workers are well-trained and enjoy safe conditions, proper sanitation, health care and housing. Once businesses meet certain environmental and social standards, we link them up to the global marketplace where demand for sustainable goods and services is on the rise.

Ruckus: How does the Rainforest Alliance’s education program work? How do you decide where to focus your efforts?

Maria: Not all populations are equally represented in the environmental movement. The Rainforest Alliance has focused our targeted school outreach on communities often underserved by the environmental movement. We help students connect with their local environment and understand how our choices as consumers impact the way resources are used across the globe.

Ruckus: Are there areas of your website where kids can go for further information? What can kids do to make a difference?

Maria: Yes! They should check out our Kid’s Corner for games, species profiles, activities, coloring pages and stories about students whose families depend on the rainforests for survival.

After using our resources, many students are inspired to do more. One way that many have contributed: hosting events and raising funds to support our Adopt-A-Rainforest program. We also encourage kids to talk to their friends and family about conservation, and to spread the word about sustainability!

Ruckus: In addition to the new iPad app, does the Rainforest Alliance have other resources for teachers?

Maria: We have loads of free resources for teachers, all available on our Learning Site. We’ve created multidisciplinary curricula with lesson plans, stories and presentations — everything teachers need to connect their students to forests and communities around the world.

Ruckus: What can parents do to make a difference?

Maria: Parents can look for theRainforest Alliance Certified seal on food and beverages (like coffee, tea, chocolate and bananas) and wood and paper products (like napkins, copy paper, and timber) whenever they shop. The little green frog seal is a guarantee that a product was grown and harvested with respect for people, wildlife and the environment. They can also prioritize responsible travel, and book their trips using the Rainforest Alliance’s website, SustainableTrip.org. We also invite parents to become members of the Rainforest Alliance  – it’s a great way to make a difference and stay informed about key conservation issues.

Ruckus: Anything you’d like to add?

Maria: Don’t forget to download the Rainforest Survival Challenge app for a fun and educational way to learn about the unique species found in the Amazon rainforest.  A portion of the proceeds supports education initiatives at the Rainforest Alliance and the Stepping Stones Museum for Children.