The document discusses trends in educational apps for children. It notes that from 2009 to 2011, the percentage of apps in the education section of the iTunes store aimed at toddlers through elementary school students grew from 47% to 72%. Currently, there are over 800,000 apps available for download with around 89,500 categorized as educational. On average, educational apps cost $1.55. The document provides tips for choosing educational apps, including consulting colleagues, reading reviews, and examining screenshots. It emphasizes that the potential of technology is realized through how it is used as a tool for learning rather than the technologies themselves. Some criteria outlined for high quality educational apps include teaching or practicing valuable skills, producing evidence of learning, and having an appropriate

1. Better than Crayons?
Gail Lovely
Gail@GailLovely.com

2. GailLovely–http://LovelyLearning.com
Recognize this?

3. GailLovely–http://LovelyLearning.com

6. GailLovely–http://LovelyLearning.com
The App Store…
• Like a box of chocolate

7. What are the numbers?
From 2009 to 2011 apps for toddlers -
elementary school grew
from 47% to 72%
of the education collection
in the iTunes Store*.
(as reported in iLearnII, January 2012)
http://www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ilearnii.pdf

8. GailLovely–http://LovelyLearning.com
Some stats…
• Apps available for download: 834,179
• Education Category: 89,501 (active)
• Average App price: $1.55
http://148apps.biz/app-store-metrics/

9. Free? Really?

10. How do YOU choose?

11. GailLovely–http://LovelyLearning.com
How do YOU choose?
 Ask a colleague
 Use a recommendation
 Search the App Store
 Read Reviews (App Store)
 Examine Screenshots (App Store)
 Get a “lite” version
 Get full version
 Play it yourself (make mistakes)

12. GailLovely–http://LovelyLearning.com
Apps and Application of Apps
Educational researchers and
practitioners alike assert that the
potential of new technologies for
learning is likely to be found not in the
technologies themselves but in the
way in which these technologies are
used as tools for learning (Means & Olson,
1995; Owston, 1997; Valdez et al., 1999).
From NCREL: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/reading/li300.htm

14. Educational Criteria
• Teach or practice curriculum or skills of
value
• Create evidence of knowledge or skills
• Produce materials to learn with or from
• More than CUTE, ENGAGING, FUN.

15. Educational Criteria
• Ability to play well with other files and
apps
• Appropriate learning curve
• Useability

16. Technical Criteria
Ability to get files off device
• Screenchomp (free)
– Output to link on their site (with ads)
– On the iPad on which it was made
• Explain Everything ($2.99)
– Output to: Email, Dropbox, Evernote, Box, YouTube…

17. GailLovely–http://LovelyLearning.com
Format matters
• Does the app consider multiple users?
• Jellybean Count and Futaba
• are examples of this…

18. GailLovely–http://LovelyLearning.com
You HAVE to be Careful…
• There is a reason 30% of apps are
opened only once.

19. Reading Level MisMatch
ScreenshotfromCasey’sContraptions

20. Confusing…?
ScreenshotsfromLiveABC

21. “What’s your favorite app?”
Explain Everything…
$2.99

22. GailLovely–http://LovelyLearning.com
Lets Look…

23. GailLovely–http://LovelyLearning.com
Some Favorite Titles
• Explain Everything (2.99)
• AudioNote (4.99)
• Fotopedia Heritage (free)
• Futaba Classroom Games (6.99)
• Math Doodles (2.99)
• Book Creator (4.99)
• Collins Big Cat Books (free)
• Chirp (Free)
• My Script Calculator (free)
• Endless ABC (free or .99 w/o ads)

24. GailLovely–http://LovelyLearning.com
Just a few more…
• Daisy the Dino (free)
• Feltboard (2.99)
• Letterschool (2.99)