Wednesday, 14 May 2014
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
7 dangerous Apps that parents need to know about
A look into the some of the scariest Apps for your kids
I work in public relations at Cook Children's. It’s my job to be on social networking sites, peruse the internet and keep up with the latest Apps offered on smartphones. It’s a great job and I love what I do, but over the last couple years, I have learned so much about the dangers of Smart Phone Apps. It’s downright scary.
Technology, especially if you’re a little behind the times, can be very deceptive. Your kids may be downloading Apps that you think are innocent and just a simple way for them to keep in contact with their buddies, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
To keep your children safe, it’s best that you monitor their phone. Look through their apps, texts and pictures. They may feel that you’re invading their privacy, but let’s be honest… You’re paying the phone bill, so you can do whatever you want! So, as you monitor your kid’s phone, keep an eye out for these 7 apps you may not be aware of, that in my opinion are very dangerous:
- Yik Yak – This App is one of the newest and one of the most dangerous. It allows users to post text-only Yaks of up to 200 characters. The messages can be viewed by the 500 Yakkers who are closest to the person who wrote the Yak, as determined by GPS tracking. Users are exposed to – and contributing -sexually explicit content, abusive language and personal attacks so severe that schools are starting to block the App on their Wi-Fi. Although the posts are anonymous, kids start revealing personal information as they get more comfortable with other users.
- SnapChat – This App allows users to send photos that will disappear after 10 seconds. Once the recipient opens the picture, the timer starts. Then it’s gone. From both the sender's phone and the recipient’s phone. However, the recipient can take a screen shot of the photo and have it to share with others. This App enables kids to feel more comfortable “sexting” with peers.
KiK Messenger – This is a private messenger app and is coveted by those under 18 for a number of reasons. The App allows kids to send private messages that their parents can’t see. There is very little you can do to verify the identity of someone on Kik, which obviously poses the risk of sexual predators chatting with your child. And again, this is an easy tool for sexting.
- Poof –The Poof App allows users to make Apps disappear on their phone with one touch. Kids can hide every app they don’t want you to see on their phone. All they have to do is open the App and select the ones they don’t want you to see. Very scary! The good news about this App is it is no longer available, which isn't uncommon for these types of Apps. But, if it was downloaded before it was deleted from the App store, your child may still have it. Keep in mind that Apps like this are created and then terminated pretty quickly by Android and Apple stores, but there are similar ones being created constantly. Some other names include: Hidden Apps, App Lock and Hide It Pro.
- Omegle – This App has been around since 2008, with video chat added in 2009. When you use Omegle you do not identify yourself through the service – chat participants are only identified as “You” and “Stranger”. You don't have to register for the App. However, you can connect Omegle to your Facebook account to find chat partners with similar interests. When choosing this feature, an Omegle Facebook App will receive your Facebook “likes” and try to match you with a stranger with similar likes. This is not okay for children. There is a high risk of sexual predators and you don’t want your kids giving out their personal information, much less even talking to strangers.
- Whisper – This is a meeting App that encourages users to post secrets. You post anonymously, but it displays the area you are posting from. You can search for users posting within a mile from you. A quick look at the App and you can see that online relationships are forming constantly on this App, but you never know the person behind the computer or phone. One man in Washington was convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl he met on this App just last year.
- Down – This application, which used to be called “Bang with Friends,” is connected to Facebook. Users can categorize their Facebook friends in one of two ways: they can indicate whether or not a friend is someone they'd like to hang with or someone they are "down" to hook up with. The slogan for the App: “The anonymous, simple, fun way to find friends who are down for the night.” If that alone doesn’t scare you, I don’t know what will!
I know it's overwhelming to keep up with your kids and their online habits. But just remember to check their phones often, and even more importantly have real life conversations with them. Discuss the dangers of the Apps and make sure they understand the need to keep personal information private.
About the author
Kristin Peaks is the Senior Digital & Social Media specialist at Cook Children’s. Kristin is a sports fanatic. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Kristin spends her extra time with friends and family, and loves volunteering. Her dream job is to be a Monday Night Football sideline reporter.
Monday, 7 April 2014
Education Apps – Apps for Coding on Tablets
With an increasing focus on programming and coding finding the way onto the curriculum in many different countries across the globe, developers are creating materials which can help educators skill themselves, and also to support pupils in this area.
Coding and programming allows for individuals to show their creative side, but also embodies key, logical skills which need to be understood and mastered to create a successful programme. With technology advances racing ahead within societies, the need for programmers is going to be a key concept which individuals need to understand to be able to relate the apps, programmes and any further developments. The skills are not difficult to learn, but the issue in education is likely to be the confidence, understanding and skills of the teachers who will suddenly find coding or programming within their remit.
There are plenty of web/PC applications which can support coding skill development, with one of the most popular being CodeAcademy, where individuals can learn to code interactively for free. But with more and more schools using tablets, iPad developers are starting to create some really good apps to support the skill developments required to become proficient programmers. Below, we feature some of the latest and most notable apps which are ideal for educational settings:
AndroidScript (Android) Free
Suggested by Dave Smart in the comments below, AndroidScript is a really great, free Android App suitable for kids around 12 years old and above. It teaches ‘real’ coding skills using JavaScript and allows coding directly on a tablet or phone, so students can code anywhere… even on the bus to school! Easily write Apps for your phone or tablet using JavaScript. No need for a PC, just edit code directly on your device. Now you can write Apps anywhere! For serious coding sessions, it is highly recommend using the built-in browser based IDE. It connects via WiFi to your device allowing wire free coding on Windows, Linux or Mac PCs and it makes coding a breeze!
Tynker (iPad) Free with in-app Purchases to Advance.
This is a charming cartoon procedural puzzler, which encourages pupils to create a game by playing one. Tynker consists of a scene that must be correctly programmed using coding skills with jigsaw-style pieces. As you progress, the situations become more difficult although their are guides within the app to introduce more efficient ways of completing the programming task. The first stage is free, but Lost in Space and Sketch Racers cost £1.49 or £1.99 for the bundle*.
Kodu (Windows) Free
Suggested by Stuart Ball, Kodu lets you create games through a simple visual programming language. Kodu can be used to teach creativity, problem solving, storytelling, as well as programming. Anyone can use Kodu to make a game with no design or programming skills.
TouchDevelop (Windows) Free
Another Windows app suggested by Stuart Ball, Create apps on your phone, share them with other people! Create fun games and automate recurring tasks. You compose programs by tapping on the screen. Query the phone sensors, send web requests, and manage your data in the cloud.- A.L.E.X. (Free with in-app purchase available for more features) iPad
Thanks to Shaun Wilson for suggesting this iPad App, which is provides a basic, and useful, concept of programming as it introduces sub routines and debugging nicely, ideal forprimary/elementary aged pupils. The app also is a fun puzzle game and a great way to train your brain. A.L.E.X. helps you think and plan logically as you program your robot A.L.E.X. with a sequence of commands to get through each level from start to finish. The app is free, providing 25 levels plus the ability to create your own puzzle. An in-app purchase (£0.69*) provides 35 additional levels; More block types to create your own puzzles; and 3 additional looks for A.L.E.X.- Light-Bot (£1.99) iPad / iPhone / iPod Touch / Android
Light-Bot App
Light-bot is a programming puzzle game: a puzzle game that uses game mechanics that are firmly rooted in programming concepts. Free versions of the app are available (click here and here to view in the App Store), with limited progression permitted, but the full app lets players gain a practical understanding of basic control-flow concepts like procedures, loops, and conditionals, just by guiding a robot with commands to light up tiles and solve levels. The app contains 40 levels and 20 challenge stars to complete as you progress through. For users of Android devices, the app is also available at the Google Play store, for the same £1.99 price – Click here to view in the Play Store. This app is great for learning about the fundamentals of coding, with the interface encouraging the user to gain a practical understanding of basic control-flow concepts like procedures, loops, and conditionals, just by guiding a robot with commands to light up tiles and solve levels. Click here to view the app in the Apple App Store.
- Codeacademy – Free iPhone/iPod Touch & iPad
CodeAcademy App
The training coding web application now has ventured into an Apple App, with this iPhone app which helps users to learn how to build amazing things online by programming – all for free. The app requires iOS 7.0 or later, and is optimised for iPhone 5. The app gets you started by introducing you to the basic concepts behind the apps on your phone and the websites you visit. It helps you learn to understand the basic structure of code when you see it. This app is a great support, and extension, to the web-based site mentioned earlier. This is certainly an app to keep an eye on, and we hope that they design one specifically for tablets. The app is free on the Apple App Store – Click here to view. Updated 22 January 2014 – Now available on iPad; Make a webpage from the app with your own photo, bio and more. Start learning HTML on the go.
Bee-Bot
The popular Bee-Bot, which can be found in many schools across the country, has a couple of iPad apps which can be used to support the basics of coding. The free Bee-Bot app makes use of Bee-Bot’s keypad functionality and enables children to improve their skills in directional language and programming through sequences of forwards, backwards, left and right 90 degree turns. This version of the app supports young learners, whereas the Pyramid version is designed for pupils aged 7+, allowing you to control the Bee-Bot through a series of 12 levels of an ancient Egyptian pyramid, unlocking doors, collecting treasure and out-smarting Mummies as you go. The Pyramid version of the app also supports mathematical strands of geometry: position; direction; and motion.
Cargo-Bot (Free) iPad
Cargo-Bot
Cargo-Bot is a puzzle game where you teach a robot how to move crates. This app is for the more advanced programmer, encouraging a logical mindset. That said, the learning curve is surprisingly steep, but the difficult level should not put you off. This app was the first game programmed entirely on iPad using Codea™ (see below), so you can see the potential of programming on a tablet. Educationally, this app is aimed at pupils with more advanced skills, but the challenges within encourage logical thinking, and is worthy of exploration. The app is free on the Apple App Store – Click here to view.
Codea (£6.99) iPad
Codea
Codea has been described as, ”…kind of like the Garage Band of coding”, and was the programme behind Cargo-Bot mentioned above. The app is built on the Lua programming language. A simple, elegant language that doesn’t rely too much on symbols — a perfect match for iPad. The app lets you create games and simulations — or just about any visual idea you have. Turn thoughts into interactive creations that make use of iPad features like Multi-Touch and the accelerometer. A great, premium app that supports the creativity of programming. This versatile app is certainly aimed at the more advanced coder/programmer and certainly could be used with the more confident pupils, encouraging their programming creativity.
The app is priced £6.99 on the Apple App Store – Click here to view.
Hopscotch: Coding for kids, iPad – A visual programming language
Hopscotch teaches children to code using simple, intuitive building blocks. Pupils can create games, animations and other programs in this colourful, interactive environment.
The app is free on the Apple App Store – Click here to view.
Daisy the Dinosaur, iPad
Created by Hopscotch (see above) this fun app helps children learn the basics of computer programming with Daisy the Dinosaur! This free, fun app has an easy drag and drop interface that children of all ages can use to animate Daisy to dance across the screen. The app encourages children to intuitively grasp the basics of objects, sequencing, loops and events by solving this app’s challenges.
The app is free on the Apple App Store – Click here to view.
The following three apps were suggested by Bryn Shelley in the comments box below. Thank you.
DynamicArtLite, iPad
Dynamic ART is a graphical programming environment on iPad. It’s easy to create amazing artwork and animations with Dynamic ARTLite.
You don’t need to study complex syntax of computer languages. You just drag and drop a set of blocks and connect them together. It will be a fun way to build your own programs.
It can be used for beginners to learn and practice mathematical, computational ideas and creative thinking.
The app is £1.99 on the Apple App Store – Click here to view.
Kodable, iPad
Kodable is an educational iPad game offering a child-friendly introduction to programming concepts and problem solving. For kids ages 5 and up, and tools for grown-ups too! Kodable Pro comes with 3 worlds and 90 levels of programmable fun. A free version (with in-app purchases) is also available by clicking here.
The app is £4.99* on the Apple App Store - Click here to view.
Cato’s Hike, iPad
Cato is a little boy who just like every little boy likes to go out and play. One fine day Cato was playing outside when a portal to another world opened up in front of him; a portal to another world!
Cato stepped through and discovered that this world unlike his own didn’t follow the same rules. Every time he tried to take a step or an action he’d find himself stuck in place. Stuck that is until he finally discovered the rules in this universe: by writing a program for himself he would be able to overcome all obstacles and learn something new along the way! A free, lite version of the game is also available, with limited progression allowed. Click here to view lite version in app store.
The app is £2.99* on the Apple App Store – Click here to view.
Suggested by Ms. Dutton below, ‘Hakitzu Elite: Robot Hackers!’ is an epic multiplayer robot combat game, where you learn the basics of coding while battling robots in both single and multiplayer missions. Victory is in the code! Although the app contains in-app purchases, Ms Dutton uses this app without those additional enhancements, “I just run 2 x 1 hour lessons using this app this week!”. For those teachers who are unsure how to use the app to support the teaching of coding, the developers have devised a Teachers Pack. This 29 page PDF pack is available to view by clicking here.
The app is free and available on the App Store – Click here to View.
The app is free and available on the Google Play Store – Click here to View.
Pythonista – iPad
Suggested by Ian Harcombe in the Disqus comments below, this clever app allows you to create interactive experiments and prototypes using multi-touch, animations, and sound – or just use the interactive prompt as a powerful calculator.
Pythonista is also a great tool for learning Python – The interactive prompt helps you explore the language with code completion, the entire documentation is accessible right within the app and you can get started with lots of ready-to-run examples.
Ian comments, “ I’ve connected from iPad to RaspberryPi and interacted with MinecraftPi using it”, so the potential of this app is clear to see.
The app is priced £4.99* and available from the Apple App Store by clicking here.
Music Droid – Android
Thanks to the suggestion in the Disqus comments below by Kieron Middleton, we now introduce Music Droid for Android to this growing list of apps to support confidence in developing coding skills. MusicDroid is a very challenging puzzle game designed especially for children to develop programming skills and those who enjoys coding & maths games. This is a free game that promotes educational programming skills, with the goal of the game is to power on the golden music plates and proceed to the next level (12 levels in total).
The app is free* and available from the Google Play Store by clicking here.
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
Thursday, 13 March 2014
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Monday, 3 February 2014
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