Thing #16

For the audio app, I decided to let my daughters play around with it and see what they could do with the different audio equipment that was available on the thing list. 

Audioboo: Audioboo was very simple to use and allowed the user to record up to three minutes of audio. For my children this was not enough time because they like to sing and they could sing for hours. It was fun to use never the less but I don't see much use for it myself. I don't find myself needing to record anything that would only be three minutes long. If the app allowed for more recording time, I could see students using it to record a lecture or something of that manner. 

iPatio: This app is an absolute keeper. You are able to record up to 60 minutes of audio which really makes it worth the download. This app has provided endless hours of non-stop entertainment for my kids as they keep singing songs and will re-playing them over and over again. If I was more technology smart I would download one on here but I'm not that good. 

Thing #23 The last thing.....

• Go back to your thoughts/ideas about  mobile devices and apps. Has anything changed as a result of this experience?

I think I have opened my mind to a wide variety of different apps that I would not have otherwise tried. I now realize why people are all about having a smart phone with lots of GBs to use. I had found out while working on this project that my phone is out of date and does not have the necessary room on it to be able to hold and play a wide variety of different apps/games.

• What were your favorite Things and discoveries?

My favorite things involved discovering what I could do with the different photo type apps that are available. I like to take lots of pictures and really enjoyed learning how to crop, edit and even shade some of my photos to give them more appeal. This is something that I will continue to use in the future. 

• How did you connect with others doing the 23 Mobile Things?

I did not really connect with others while doing this project. I did have discussions with my boss on the different apps and what she was working on. I found it interesting to look at different people's blogs to see what they had discovered compared to what I discovered on the different things. It is always nice to know that you aren't the only one out there that doesn't know about some of the apps that are available. 

• Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?

I was surprised that this program had so many different apps that you could try out. You could really tell that someone did their homework when it came to putting this project together. I was also surprised by the amount of time that I had to put into it but was glad to learn alot of different things about a wide variety of apps. 

• What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or content?

I think the format and content was very good. Everything was easy to understand and any information was easy to find. 

• If we offered a another 23 Things program like this in the future would you participate?

If another program like this was offered, I would definitely do it again. It gives my brain something to think about 

• How would you describe your learning experience in one word or in one sentence, so we could use your words to promote 23 Things learning activities to others?

 Interesting

Thing #22 Discovering Apps

When it comes to discovering different apps, I have never been one to cruise through the app store and see what is available, my daughters do that way too much as it is. If I go to the app store, I go there with a purpose. This thing is all about discovering apps that are out there so here we go......

Apps Gone Free: So on my free issue today we have Fairway Solitaire, Game of War, Worm Run, aremaC, Spendee, Toca Mini, Neon Thrust, Photo Transfer Pro, DOOO, StillShot and TopNotes Pro. Decisions, decisions. I think I'm going to try Worm Run as my four year old loves worms. They are her "friends" as she puts it. Here goes nothing...

Worm Run: This game is all about staying away from the worm. You have to collect different items as you pass through the game and complete each mission. Sounds easy enough. That worm is fast and before you know it.... it attacks!!! This is a fun game to play if you are looking to waste time. It is very easy to play and just requires a swipe of a finder to keep the game going. 

I think I have had all the fun on this app for the day............

Thing #19 Hobbies

When looking at the apps listed on this particular thing, I have to admit that none of them really stick out to me but I'll give one of them a chance before I try to find my own hobby app in which I will actually use. 

Sibley eGuide to Birds of North America LITE: I decided to try this particular app because we have recently noticed a bunch of different birds coming to our bird feeder that stands in our backyard. My daughters are very interested in what kind of birds they are and why they come to our feeder. 

The first bird that we were able to identify was the "American Goldfinch". This bird is absolutely gorgeous with it's range of bright yellow coloring. 

Another very common bird that we see pecking around our feeding is the "American Robin". I think most people are familiar with this type of bird in Northern Minnesota because when they start appearing it usually means spring is on it's way. ( Three more snows as I have heard. ) 

 This was the extent of what we see in our feeder that is listed in this LITE version of Sibley's Bird eGuide. We do see a lot of pretty Blue Jays but unfortunately they are not listed on this guide. We will have to do research another way to find out about these magnificent creatures. 

Since this thing is all about hobbies, I decided to go ahead and try out a hobby app that I would enjoy. I downloaded Daily Knitting. This app is a great place to look at different people's blogs and videos and acquire new patterns to work on. I think this app is a great way to find new and creative ideas when you are stuck in a rut. As a beginning knitter, I enjoy the videos more than anything. I am a visual learner and learn better from watching than just reading. 

Thing #21

Thing #21 is all about an app that you love. For starters I am not a big game player and don't like to waste my time with these apps so if I had to pick a favorite app I would have to chose........ Netflix. 

 
The reason I really like this app is because it is easy to use and convenient when I'm looking for something to watch while I knit. I'm been working very hard on infant hats and an currently working on a child's hat so I find it entertaining to listen/watch some tv shows from my mobile device.

Another app that I use on a frequent basis is Google Calendar. This app is a great way for my to check my work schedule or even schedule appointments. It is very convenient when you are on the go and want to make plans with people because you can check at the click of a button. 

 

Thing #18

 For thing #18, I have never chose to use any of these apps previously so I decided to go with a few that sounded fun for my whole family to enjoy and learn from.

Eat this not that: This game is all about picking the food that you think is the healthier choice. The more you guess correctly, the more points that you score. You can play in a casual mode where you go through the pictures slowly or the speed mode where you are playing against the clock. This game is pretty fun if you are looking to waste time. I don't think you are going to learn a whole lot while doing the speed mode because you are just picking fast so you can get a high score. Great options and lots of choices for a free game. 

MyScript Calculator: This is an app that I was able to use on an iPad. It is really neat how it enables you to write your own math problems and then solves them for you as like a calculator. The only problem that I had with this app is it's inability to read some of the stuff that I had written. It can't always distinguish what I have written so it guesses what it could be. Other than that a great app if you are looking to use a calculator do complex problems. 

Little Learner's Play n' Learn: This looked like a very fun app for my kids to play with but unfortunately I was unable to get this to download the two times that I tried it. :(

 

Thing #17

For thing #17 I decided to give the app NNC Now a chance because the news is always good to know and with the weather we have had lately it's not a bad idea to know what is going on there either. I found this app extremely user friendly. It was easy to download and very easy to navigate. I was able to view everything from the top news to sports and everything in-between. I think this app is a great one to have on your phone because it is like having a newscaster at the palm of your hands. I think this app also is a great way to have a conversation starter. Many of the people that go into the library are of the older generation and the news and weather is a great topic to bring up when you don't know what else to say ( besides talking about books that is ). I'm glad that I gave this app a good try and will definitely be keeping it on my phone.

I looked at a wide variety of the other apps and have decided to for-go those apps as most of them have to do with stuff down in the southern part of the state. I am way up in Northern Minnesota and have no use for a lot of the information. I'm sure they are great apps for people that live in that area or who plan on visiting that area frequently.