Abstract:

Currently, there are thousands of educational apps available, most are not formally regulated, and educators have limited guidance on how to choose the most effective tools (Alon et. Al., 2015; Hirsh-Pasek et al., 2015). The purpose of this paper to present a comprehensive framework for selecting and evaluating educational apps based on comprehensive review of the research from 2008 to 2017. First, the history and growth of educational apps and the limitations of previous metrics will be discussed. Second, eight characteristics of effective apps will be summarized including learning value, content quality, learning goals, usability, engagement, challenge level, feedback, and collaboration. Third, five types of educational apps will be examined ((instructive, practice-based, constructive, productive, game-based). Fourth, practical issues for selecting apps will be explored. Fifth, the role of the educator will be articulated with respect to integrating apps into the classroom. Finally, a preliminary framework for selecting and evaluating apps will be presented based on a systematic amalgamation of features identified in previous studies.

References:
[1] Alon, S., An, H., & Fuentes, D. (2015). Teaching mathematics with Tablet PCs: A professional development program targeting primary school teachers. Christou, G., Maromoustakos, S., Mavrou, K., Meletiou-Mavrothers, M. & Stylianou, G. (Eds.), Tablets in K-12 education: Integrated experiences and implications (pp.175-197). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.
[2] Hirsh-Pasek, K., Zosh, J. M., Golinkoff, R., Gray, J. H., Robb, M. B., & Kaufman, J. (2015). Putting education in “educational” apps: Lessons from the science of learning. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 16(1), 3–34. doi:10.1177/1529100615569721

Keywords:

Apps, evaluation, selecting, tablets, mobile learning, framework.