Polaris Office

Free!

Polaris Office allows users to create, view, edit, and share documents, slides, and spreadsheet from their device. After launching the app, users can tap the “+” button on the top right of the app to create a new document, slide, or spreadsheet. Once selected, users can pick a template or start a blank one. Polaris Office will then load it, and users can modify it by adding text, images, shapes, and a variety of other content. When finished, users can save, email, and export their work as a PDF by tapping the icon on the top left of the screen. Users are able to save their work to their phone or an online storage area, such as Box.net, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Sugar Sync. Users are also able to view their work from Polaris’ main screen by tapping the “Phone” or “Cloud” icon and then navigating the folders. Additionally, users are able to add folders by tapping the “Folder” button on the top right. Users can also tap the checkbox on the document’s file in the folder and use the menu options on the top right to copy, move, delete, or email it.

Instructional Ideas

1. For an instructional unit, teachers can have students create a folder for it either stored in their device or via a cloud. That way, as students complete work for the unit, they can save all their documents into the folder, which will allow them easy access to their work in the future.
2. Teachers can have students complete different writing and presentation assignments using this app. When finished, students can email their work directly to the teacher from this app, or they can share it via email with classmates.
3. If students were saving their work throughout a class, teachers can have them complete a culminating Portfolio project. To do so, teachers can first have students review the work they completed during the class and choose10 assignments that demonstrate their learning or knowledge gained from this class. Next, students can create a “Portfolio” folder and copy the 10 works they selected to it. Finally, students can compose an essay or presentation that explains why they selected the works they did. To grade this work, students can have a one-on-one conference with their teacher who will assess the Portfolio and accompanying essay or presentation.
4. As part of a daily work routine (e.g., journal entries, current event articles, grammar exercises, or test prep activities), students can create a folder for these assignments. Then, each time students complete an assignment, they can save it as the day’s date to the folder. Teachers can then meet with students one-on-one every other week to review their daily work.
5. When students are completing a research project, they can create a folder for their research in this app and save all their materials, documents, and resources for their research to it, which can include the assignment description, annotated bibliographies, links to websites and articles, drafts of the writing, and a presentation. As students complete the different stages of the research project, teachers can meet with them to discuss their progress and view their work in the folder.

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