Famous Biographies
Free! Famous Biographies contains 20 biographies of influential people that include Benjamin Franklin, Bill Gates, and Mother Teresa, among others. After launching the app, users must tap the name of the person that interests them, and they will be presented with an image and biography of that person. The lengths of the biographies range from a single paragraph to multiple paragraphs. Instructional Ideas Teachers can have students review this app and discuss the qualities of a strong and weak biography. Next, teachers can have students choose a historical figure, research his or her life, and compose his or her biography. Teachers can have students…
A. Instruction - 4.7
B. Design - 7.8
C. Engagement - 5.3
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5.9
Famous Biographies: An App for Social Studies
Summary : Biographies Just a Swipe Away
Famous Biographies contains 20 biographies of influential people that include Benjamin Franklin, Bill Gates, and Mother Teresa, among others. After launching the app, users must tap the name of the person that interests them, and they will be presented with an image and biography of that person. The lengths of the biographies range from a single paragraph to multiple paragraphs.
Instructional Ideas
- Teachers can have students review this app and discuss the qualities of a strong and weak biography. Next, teachers can have students choose a historical figure, research his or her life, and compose his or her biography.
- Teachers can have students play a game of “Guess Who” with this app. To do so, the teacher assigns each student or pairs of students a person listed in this app. Next, students would read the person’s biography and develop 5–10 hints that identify their person. The hints should be ranked from obvious to hidden. (“Obvious” hints make it blatantly clear who the individual is, and “hidden” hints provide more challenging information about the person.) When ready, the teacher can call each student or pair to present their hints to the class, from hidden to obvious. As they state their hints, the other students in the class must work to identify who the person is.
- Teachers can assign students biographical research papers, and students can use this app as a source.
A1. Rigor
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A2. 21st Century Skills
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A3. Conn. to Future Learning
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A4. Value of Errors
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A5. Feedback to Teacher
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A6. Level of Material
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A7. Cooperative Learning
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A8. Accom. of Individual Diff.
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B1. Ability to Save Progress
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B2. Platform Integration
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B3. Screen Design
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B4. Ease of Use
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B5. Navigation
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B6. Goal Orientation
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B7. Information Presentation
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B8. Media Integration
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B9. Cultural Sensitivity
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C1. Learner Control
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C2. Interactivity
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C3. Pace
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C4. Flexibility
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C5. Interest
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C6. Aesthetics
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C7. Utility
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Screenshots
The app was not found in the store. 🙁