Journey Into the Cell

School is back in session!  For teachers and students this looks to be an exciting year filled with technological adventures.  Classrooms are transforming as we discover the need to keep up with the changing landscape of our society.  The team at Emantras recently launched an amazing app for the iPad: Cell and Cell Structure.  This app brings technology to the head of the class and allows for many exciting explorations on the cellular level.

Aimed at middle school students, the Cell and Cell Structure app takes students on a journey into the cell as they explore the basic building block of life.  Upon launching the app, you have three options from which to choose: All About Cells, Videos, or Interactive Activities.  The All About Cells section provides the "notes" for the journey.  Students explore a sideshow of three-dimensional images and can read information about topics such as "What is a cell?" or "Benefits of a Multicellular Organism." The videos provide an in-depth exploration of specific topics such as an explanation of mitosis in both plant and animal cells.  Currently there are only four videos, but more are planned to be included in future updates.  The material presented in these sections complement any middle-school life science course by providing visually stunning 2-D and 3-D imagery, using accurate vocabulary and presenting information beyond the standard course of study.  Finally, the interactive activities provide students a chance to practice and apply the material through word searches, flashcards and quizzes.  Scores are recorded on the quizzes allowing teachers to measure student progress. 

Cell and Cell Structure should greatly enhance any biology course by providing students a fun and exciting way to learn about cells.  The interface is extremely user-friendly and kids should have zero trouble navigating through the various sections.  The images are absolutely amazing!  Our 9 year old was captivated and found himself lost in the cellular world for quite a while.   Our 11 year old really enjoyed the interactive flashcards and the slide showcasing the Venn diagram of the plants versus animals cells.  She told me she was "excited to use this in school this year."  That is every homeschoolers dream!  

As a homeschool mom and educator, this is by far one of my favorite educational apps.  It goes beyond the need of meaningfully integrating technology by showing a glimpse into the future as we shift to a more global, internet-based classroom.  Webinars, online textbooks, digital learning, and social media are reshaping the landscape of education.  The team at Emantras recognizes this trend.  Appropriate for middle through high school, this app provides not only an exciting journey into the cell, but an exciting journey into the future of education.

Head to the Lab with Virtual Rat Dissection!

Last year, our kids were totally grossed out by Frog Dissection!  To quote our second-grader, "Mom, it's totally gross, but so cool!"  Our kids were enthralled by this app and were able to successfully complete a frog dissection flying solo.  Not too bad considering they ranged in age from 4-10!  Thanks to the creators at Punflay, they have another opportunity to be "grossed out" with their new app, Rat Dissection.  Aimed at middle-schoolers, this app allows students to dissect a rat in school or on the go using virtual tools and without all of the mess. Using beautiful, 3-D imagery and voice-over instruction, students are guided through a sequence of steps to complete the dissection process.  Along the way, you can tap on an organ to learn more details about its function. 

As an educator and homeschooling mom, I love that this app provides our children with quality educational materials at a fraction of the cost of a real lab.  In addition, the creators did not "dumb down" the material in order to reach a wider audience.  Real science is taught using real vocabulary.  The scientific minds at our home greatly appreciate this and I am not talking about mom and dad!  Rat Dissection provides a wonderful introduction to organs, organ systems and their functions.  Teachers and parents can feel confident that children are learning and engaged.  The smell of formaldehyde does have its place in the Biology classroom, however, for those seeking an alternative experience or a supplement to their existing curriculum, this app is the way to go!  Rat Dissection is available for download at iTunes for $3.99.  

Check out other amazing apps by the genius minds at Punflay!

• Frog Dissection
• My Word Wall
• Number Sense HD