A Principal’s Guide to Android Apps: 25 Apps to Get You Started

I am probably one of the few principals in this country who purchased an Android Tablet rather than an iPad. I already had access to a first generation iPad, and I wanted a 7 inch device instead of the a 10 inch, so I purchased an Galaxy Tab 7.7. I have not regretted it at all. In fact, there are very good reasons for getting an Android tablet instead, among them is the cost considerations and access to a few apps not currently available for the iPad.

If you are considering an Android tablet just remember one important principle regarding any electronic device: It is only as good at the apps or software you use. I have spent a great deal of time tinkering with apps, both free and paid, and I even posted an app list in May entitled “17 Must-Have Android Tablet Apps for the Administrator.” Since that time, I have experimented more, taken in recommendations from others, and here’s my latest Guide to Android Tablet Apps.

Keep in mind some of these are for personal use and not necessarily for carrying out the tasks of an administrator.

	1. Evernote	Notetaking app and much more Camera and audio integration makes using visual and audio notes possible Has an app for every device for anywhere access Great for Web collecting too
	2. Tweetcaster Pro	Twitter client app Easy to use Paid version has no ads Does everything a Twitter client should do
	3. Dropbox	Access to our Dropbox cloud storage account Gives you access to your “traveling file cabinet” from anywhere
	4. Google Drive	Access to your Google Drive cloud account. Access to your Google Docs for your Android Tablet
	5. Calengoo	Syncs with Google Calendar Use the Widget to see your appointments at a glance right on your home screen
	6. Amazon Kindle	Access your Kindle Library Send documents and Web pages to this app to read on your  tablet Take notes and highlight text Usual ability to adjust text and background for ease of reading
	7. Nook	Access to your Nook library Take notes and highlight text Usual ability to adjust text and back ground for ease of reading
	8. Google Play Books	Access to your Google Play book library Can’t currently highlight text or take notes, but it has all the other features of an ereader.
	9. Powernote	Access to your Diigo Bookmarks Add snapshots and audio notes to your Diigo account Read items that you have sent to your account to “Read Later”
	10. Google Currents	Read favorite publications on your tablet Add RSS feeds of your own Read across your Android and Apple devices
	11. KeePassDroid	Provides Android Tablet access to your KeePass Password Safe Use in conjunction with your Dropbox account to keep your passwords updated Access your Web site passwords anytime and anyplace
	12. Blogger	Blogging app for the Android tablet Post and edit blog posts for your Blogger account Can add photos and images Can post as draft and save on device
	13. ezPDF Reader	Read any PDF documents comfortably Add annotations, highlights, boxes, underlines and much more For me, as good as the iPad app Goodreader, which is one of my favorites
	14. Google Voice	Android tablet access to your Google Voice, voice mail Send and receive text messages from your tablet free
	15. Reader HD	RSS feed reader app Allows for sharing multiple ways, but sometimes works quirkily Syncs and provides access to your Google Reader account
	16. Symbaloo	Android tablet access to your Symbaloo pages and account Symbaloo is a graphical file and bookmarking tool
	17. Edmodo	Access to your Edmodo account using your tablet Social learning environment for teachers and students Use to connect and share with your teachers
	18. Engrade	Access to Engrade online gradebook Useful to check grades or receive messages
	19. Kingsoft Office	Free Android Office Suite Read and edit word-processing documents, spreadsheets and presentations
	20. Amazon MP3 Player	Android tablet access to your Amazon music library Access to music stored in your Amazon cloud account
	21. Netflix	Access to hundreds of movies and old TV shows Be careful, and not get hooked on old Star Trek episodes
	22. Skype	Access to your Skype account Instant message and connect with others through video or text
	23. QR Droid	Scan QR codes with your Android tablet Allows interface with search
	24. CamScanner	Turn your Android tablet into a handheld scanner Scan documents and turn them into PDF files Dump them into your Dropbox share them out through the usual channels
	25. Mindjet	Turn your Android tablet into a mind-mapping device Allows users to create mind maps on their device

This of course is not a definitive list, and if you ask me tomorrow, there will probably be changes already, but If you’re looking for some apps to get started and you are fairly connected through Web 2.0 tools, this is a good list to get started.

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Why I Purchased an Android Tablet and Not an iPad

 One of the biggest reasons for purchasing an Android tablet as opposed to an iPad was my Amazon cloud products. I have my music uploaded to the Amazon cloud, and unfortunately, there is no Amazon music player app available for the iPad. Of the course, the pure OSers would point out I could store my music in the iCloud, but then I could not access my music on my Kindle Fire, which I sometimes do while reading. To be honest, I would have been perfectly content with my Kindle Fire as a tablet except for the lack of 3G, soon to be 4G capability. There simply were too many times I wanted to check my email, Tweet or Facebook, but could not because there was no open WiFi, which is the only way to currently connect with the Kindle Fire. Bottom line, my Galaxy Tab with its Android operating system, allows me to access my music.

Another reason for purchasing an Android tablet as opposed to an iPad was the size. I was attracted to the slightly smaller 7.7 Galaxy Tab. It will fit in one hand, at least my big hands, and its just a bit smaller size means I can easily hold it while standing outside during parking lot duty. That means I can check email, read my RSS feeds, and even write a blog post while making sure some of my students do not abscond from campus during lunch. Its small size means I can hold it in my palm. The smaller size means I can easily access my favorite apps while doing many of the tasks principals find themselves doing. With the 3G, soon to be 4G capability, I do not have to worry about wireless access in some of those places I find myself performing principal duties, and believe me, there are those places.

Finally, I got an Android tablet because I like new toys. I have a Wifi-only capable iPad issued by the school district. I have my WiFi Kindle Fire. I just wanted a new toy to experiment and play with. I had read several posts about the Galaxy Tab 7.7 and the 10.1, and I wanted to expand my knowledge and experience, as well as take advantage of what I had learned by having an Android smartphone. I enjoy the challenge of learning how to use new devices.
In the end, I have been more than satisfied with my purchase. I bought the docking keyboard that goes with the Galaxy Tab 7.7 too. That key board is amazing. The Samsung Galaxy Tab has proven already that I did not make the wrong choice.

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First Blog Post from My Galaxy Tab

Today, I purchased the Galaxy Tab 7.7 with 4G capability on which I am writing  this post. So far I am highly pleased with the device. The graphics are amazing. Using the apps are fairly easy for me as well since I've been using a Droid phone and my Kindle Fire for the past few months. The camera takes quality photos and video as well. I purchased the small docking keyboard to go with the device and it works extremely well. My favorite feature of all is the device's size and weight. It is amazingly compact and is easily held in one hand. Overall, my experience has been positive. I will post more as I explore using the device.

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