The evaluation rubric assesses apps across 5 domains: curriculum connection, authenticity, feedback, differentiation, user friendliness, student motivation, and reporting. An effective app strongly connects skills to targeted concepts, uses authentic problem-based learning, provides specific feedback to improve performance, offers complete flexibility to adjust settings, allows independent use, motivates continued student use, and electronically reports data to students and teachers.

1. EVALUATION RUBRIC FOR IPOD/IPAD APPS
DOMAIN 4 3 2 1
Skill(s) reinforced are Skill(s) reinforced are Skill(s) reinforced are Skill(s) reinforced in the app
Curriculum strongly connected to the related to the targeted skill or prerequisite or foundation skills are not clearly connected to
Connection targeted skill or concept concept for the targeted skill or concept the targeted skill or concept
Targeted skills are practiced in an Some aspects of the app are Skills are practiced in a Skills are practiced in a rote
authentic format/ problem-based presented in an authentic contrived game/simulation or isolated fashion (e.g.
Authenticity
learning environment learning environment format flashcards)
Feedback is specific and Feedback is limited to the
Feedback is specific and Feedback is limited to
results in improved correctness of student
results in improved student the correctness of
Feedback performance student performance responses and may allow
student responses
(may include tutorial aids) students to try again
App offers limited flexibility to
App offers more than one App offers no flexibility
App offers complete flexibility adjust settings to meet student
degree of flexibility to to adjust settings to meet
to alter settings to needs (e.g., few levels
Differentiation adjust settings to meet student needs
meet student needs such as easy, medium,
student needs (settings cannot be altered)
hard)
Students need to have the
Students can launch and Students need to have the Students need constant
teacher review how to use the
User navigate within the app teacher review how teacher supervision in order
app on more than one
Friendliness independently to use the app to use the app
occasion
Students are highly Students view the app as
Students avoid the use of the
Student motivated to use the app and select Students use the app as “more schoolwork” and may
app or complain when use
it as their first choice from a directed by the teacher be off-task when directed by
Motivation of the app is assigned
selection of related choices of apps the teacher to use the app
Data is available
Data is available electronically
Data is available electronically electronically to student on a
to the student, The app does not contain a
to the student and teacher summary page and may be
Reporting but is not presented summary page
as a part of the app screenshot to share with
on a single summary page
teacher
Created by Harry Walker – Johns Hopkins University 10/18/2010
Edited, with permission, by Kathy Schrock 02/25/2011