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…

Review Overview

A. Instruction - 4.7
B. Design - 7.8
C. Engagement - 5.3

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Teachers can assign students biographical research papers, and students can use this app as a source.
A1. Rigor
A2. 21st Century Skills
A3. Conn. to Future Learning
A4. Value of Errors
A5. Feedback to Teacher
A6. Level of Material
A7. Cooperative Learning
A8. Accom. of Individual Diff.
B1. Ability to Save Progress
B2. Platform Integration
B3. Screen Design
B4. Ease of Use
B5. Navigation
B6. Goal Orientation
B7. Information Presentation
B8. Media Integration
B9. Cultural Sensitivity
C1. Learner Control
C2. Interactivity
C3. Pace
C4. Flexibility
C5. Interest
C6. Aesthetics
C7. Utility

Screenshots

The app was not found in the store. 🙁