First, a little background: In Ohio, state assessments for Physical
Education, have now been implemented. After attending meeting on the
ins and outs of the state required assessments, it was obvious that
recording scores with pencil and paper was going to be nearly impossible.
It was going to be difficult enough to find time to gather the thousands of
scores, let alone handle them twice. My solution was to buy an IPad,
and be able to do the scores on the fly. Since acquiring the IPad (on
my own, I might add), I have found a few helpful apps and tips.
Following are what is working for me:
TEAMSHAKE:This app is a must have for PE teachers. I had
been wanting to build an app like this for a couple years, when this one
finally came out. This app will let you pick teams at the shake of
your IPad or the push of a button. You can even have it even out by
boy/girl, skill levels, etc. I use this app whenever I want teams done
quickly and or evenly! The only downside is that I wish it would let you
combine classes and then choose teams. I did recommend this to TeamShake,
and they said they would consider it. COST:
.99
(this app is a no brainer) DEVELOPER: Rhine-o
Enterprises LLC View a demonstration here:http://youtu.be/WeVtpKWuV9Y5
TIMER + :This is another one of my favorite Apps.
I use this app whenever I set up stations and I want the kids to rotate on
their own. This app will allow you to set up 1- unlimited count down
timers. You can also customize the type of alarm you receive at the
end, as well as a single or repeating alarm. If
I have 12 stations and I want 2 minutes at each station, I will set 12
alarms at 2 minute increments. If I want a little time to allow for
transition, I will figure that into my alarms. Personally, I run my IPad
through the sound system in my gym, that way the students can hear the
alarms and move on their own. I don't have to waste time monitoring
the alarms and I can focus on helping my students. If you do not have
a sound system, just get a portable stereo. COST:
Free DEVELOPER: Minima
Software
FILEMAKER GO :??
This
one may not work for everyone, but let me explain why I must have this.
This app lets you view and use data bases created on FileMaker Pro. In
Ohio, there is a developer who created a Filemaker Pro file that is designed
for the Ohio PE assessments. With the state forms (excel), you must
type in every number by hand (1,2,3 etc). With the file that was
designed by PSFE (Practical Solutions For Educators), I do not have to type
in every grade. I can set a default for a whole row, class, student,
etc. Furthermore, I only need to tap a cell, and the grade will change
from a 1 to a 2 or 2 to a 3. This file from PSFE is about 25.00 a
year, but for me, it was well worth it. It even figures all the totals
and gives you those in an excel format. The
other reason that I like this, is that using FileMaker Pro, I was able to
customize my own data base to figure everything that I wanted figured.
I set it up so it would figure BMI, and automatically grade my 4a (fitness
test) assessments. The down side is that FileMaker Pro is not free, so
I used a trial version. I have NO experience with creating these data
bases, but I built one that is functional, I just wish I had more time.
So, check out PSFE.com and if they have a file for your assessments, then
this app is for you. Or if you have any files from FileMaker Pro that
you need to use on the IPad, then this is for you. COST:Free DEVELOPER:
FileMaker, Inc
