Are educational apps delivering?

A new study has analysed popular educational apps using four criteria designed to evaluate the level of educational experience delivered and found that many are lacking.

Researchers found that most apps scored low, with free apps scoring even lower than paid counterparts in some criteria. The study was recently published in the Journal of Children and Media and suggests that apps do not guarantee learning and should not replace human interaction. 

For the study, researchers developed a system for evaluating educational apps. This was based on previous work conducted by Jennifer Zosh, Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State Brandywine and published in Psychological Science in the Public Interest, which used decades of research on the science of learning to determine the pillars, or traits, of a truly educational experience. In that research, Zosh said, “We explored how these pillars might give us insight into how to leverage new technology to create truly educational experiences for young children.”

The first pillar is to facilitate thinking — asking children to guess, evaluate and think deeply, rather than just tapping or reacting. The second pillar is that it helps children stay tuned to the learning rather than distracting them. The third is that the app contains meaningful content that connects app-based learning to the real world and the fourth pillar is that the app provides opportunity for social interaction. 

The study analysed the top 100 children’s educational apps from the Apple App and Google Play Stores. Each was given a score of 0 (low) to 3 (high) for each pillar. A combined score of less than five was considered low quality. Analysis showed a score of 1 was the most common for all four pillars, with a score of 0 the second most common rating for the social interaction pillar. 

According to the researchers, because these apps might not provide high-quality educational experiences for kids, they risk parents choosing them over other activities — such as reading, physical activity or pretend play — that actually could be more beneficial.

Researchers say the study also has implications not just for parents, but for app developers as well. They suggest that app design should be carried out in collaboration with child development experts to ensure that children are able to learn most effectively. 

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Gary Perkin