Teaching Science with the iPad App "The Elements: A Visual Exploration"

A featured app for the iPad called "The Elements: A Visual Exploration" revolutionizes how teachers, parents, and students can interact with the periodic table of elements. No longer do teachers need to rely upon a boring chart with symbols and numbers. Instead, the elements come to life visually, capturing students' attention.

How does this iPad app make a difference? This app allows students to connect with the elements of matter using different learning styles. Visually, students can see the shape of the atomic structure. Kinesthetic learners can physically rotate objects on the screen that are made out of the elements. In addition, students can view over 500 objects as stereo 3D photos, wearing 3D glasses to bring each element to life.

Several comments on the Apple iTunes store feedback page indicate the success that teachers and parents have found with this iPad app. A user named Tapdawg2004 states, "I teach Physical Science and we start learning about the Periodic Table when we return from Easter Vacation. I was using the chart from this guy to teach it, but this app will really improve the quality of information I divulge to my students." Of course, a majority of learning takes place outside the classroom. As such, parents are using this iPad app to teach their kids about the elements. Another comment left by Hdhandy on April 3, 2010, states, "We've already spent more than 2 hours actively engaged with this app as a family. Beautiful 3D examples, an abundance of relevant information, and witty contextual dialogue that makes learning fun." Even college professors are on board with this technological marvel. The iTunes store commenter spqrdx wrote, "I'll use this in the college chemistry class that I teach... state of the art." Essentially, this iPad app is a winner and a great resource for teachers at all levels.

The iPad app "The Elements: A Visual Exploration" may be a glimpse into the future of what textbooks may become. If so, textbooks would be colorful, interactive, and able to be kept up-to-date with a simple download. The best part, though, is that students may actually enjoy reading and interacting with them!

Have you experienced this iPad app first hand? If you are a teacher, how would you use this app in your classroom? As a parent how would you use this app? Please comment below!

In future articles, Kristen will be critiquing more iPad apps and discussing how they relate to teaching. To receive an e-mail notification of Kristen's future publications, please click "Follow" at the top of the screen.