The document discusses the importance of selecting quality educational apps for school-aged children, emphasizing the need for parental engagement and mindful use of technology. It outlines criteria for choosing effective apps, such as ease of use and lack of advertisements, and encourages using technology to enhance real-life experiences rather than replace them. Additionally, it provides recommendations for various educational apps across different subjects and developmental needs.

1. Raising ‘App-y’ Learners
Apps to support school-aged children
Clara Hendricks, Children’s Librarian
Wellesley Free Library
April 28, 2014

2. Technology and Children
• All screens are not created equal
• Tablets/smartphones are multi-functional: camera,
notepad, picture book, TV, arcade, etc.
• Engage with your child when using
technology
• “Technology Pyramid” –
provide healthy doses of
‘nourishing’ choices
• Limit screen time before bed

3. Content, Context, Child
• Content
• Thoughtfully assess apps, rather than just setting time limits
• Anything can call itself ‘educational’
• Context
• In what context is the app being used?
• What role does technology play in the child’s life?
• Child
• Children have individual developmental needs
Guernsey, L. (2012). Screen time: How electronic media-from baby videos to educational
software-affects your young child. New York: Basic Books.

4. Technology and the Real World
• Quality apps give kids tools that they
can’t access in the “real-world”
• Make connections between
technology and real-life experiences
• Use technology to enhance, not
replace real-life experiences.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
UnyHMSz7JDE

5. Swimming in a sea of apps:
criteria for choosing quality apps
• Option to turn sound/narration on/off
• No ads or push-to-buy
• Ease of use
• Plain, clear, legible fonts
• Not busy/distracting
• Lasting power
• Supports exploration, creativity, interaction
• Don’t use an app if there is a better real-life
solution
• Customize your apps

6. App Reviews
•Common Sense Media:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
•Reading Rockets:
http://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/reading101/literacyapps/
•Parents’ Choice:
http://www.parents-choice.org/
•Digital Storytime
http://digital-storytime.com/

7. Apps for phonics/spelling:
Word Wagon
Tap n Learn :
Learn to Spell (left)
Wurdle (right)
AlphaWriter The Electric CompanyWordball- FREE

8. Apps for comprehension &
grammar:
Minimod Reading for Details
ProfessorGarfield Fact
or Opinion - FREE
MadLibs - FREE

9. Storytelling apps:
Draw &Tell HD
Toontastic -
FREE
BookCreator
Sentence
Builder

10. Apps for Social Studies:
BarefootWorld Atlas
State Bingo &
RoadTrip USA
News-o-Matic

11. Science apps – natural world:
On Beyond Bugs
Dinosaurs
Solar Walk
Nat Geo Explorer - FREE

12. Science apps – building & inventing
Toca Builders
Hopscotch - FREE
Shout Science! - FREE

13. Math apps for the younger set:
Bedtime Math - FREE
Montessori: First operations
Wild Kratts Creature Math

14. Math apps for the older set:
Dragon Shapes - FREE
Mystery Math Museum
Motion Math

15. Questions?
My contact information:
Clara Hendricks, Children’s Librarian
Wellesley Free Library
781-235-1610 x 1108
chendricks@minlib.net
www.wellesleyfreelibrary.org