Moonbeeps: Gizmo
© 2015 Moonbot Studios
This interesting app turns your iPad or iPhone into a prop for pretend play; in this case the dashboard for a rocket ship, of the variety you might make out of a large cardboard box, or an overturned chair and a blanket. No technology can or will replace the magic of a cardboard box and a set of markers, where you can draw your own pretend controls. But you might be able to enhance or augment this type of play, which is how this app breaks new ground. By tinkering with the switches, your screen might become a view of outer space, for example. The app is easy to start and use, starting with a control panel consisting of switches, panels and a combination lights. Sometimes one bank of switches will unlock another feature. There are no instructions, reading or language. There are six types of controls. You can spin a dial to see some aliens, push some buttons to turn on/off thrusters, swap control panels using the oscillating crystal switcher, sound an alarm (the screen flashes red with a “defcon” sound); and have a look into deep space, as the motion activated stars blur by your window.
$1.99, iPad, iPhone
Teaches: logic, pretend play, representation play, outer space, astronomy
CTR Rating: 92.5%