Pines to Vines - The Forest Biome

$9.99, iPad (378 MB)

Teaches: ecology, forests, ecosystems, maps, geography

CTR Rating: 87.5%

CTR Review

This poster-child example of what a tablet-delivered textbook can look like, Pines to Vines is a large (378 MB) stand-alone app, that mixes traditional text with interactive illustrations and dynamic maps. Despite some clunky navigation features and less than in-depth content, the app demonstrates how linear text can be enhanced and in some cases amplified by interactive features. Especially noteworthy: the ability to change the reading level on the fly. Content includes six chapters that introduce the concept of forests, and then examine different types of forests (e.g., tropical vs. boreal) as well as special types of forests, different types of wildlife, and threats to forests. The app was developed in collaboration with Oregon State University�s Department of Forestry. Each chapter has a test, that can be automatically linked to a teacher's dropbox or email account. Note that both require a live Internet connection. It is not possible to take a quiz or see the answers unless the tablet is online; a rather disappointing discovery. This is part of the "Crack the Books" series of interactive digital books. Targeting 3rd to 5th grade science and social studies core curriculum concepts, the digital textbooks allow for reading level adjustment from 1st grade to 8th grade, making it possible for all students in a classroom to access the same curriculum content regardless of their reading ability.