Recommended apps:
Project Noah by Networked Organisms (www.projectnoah.org) Category: Education Size: 9.6MB
Cost: Free (no ads) Age rating: 4+ Education Classification: Constructive
This is a virtual animal, bird and plant spotters journal. Capture photos of the flora and fauna that is local to you, catalogue it and share it with other spotters around the world. Photos of unfamiliar species can be submitted for identification. Join one or more missions- some local, some global- to identify and share information about species. Particularly relevant to early learning services is the 'Global Schoolyard Bioblitz' mission; this is open to teachers and students around the world, encouraging the documentation of wildlife around the learning environment.
Usability: Since this app can be linked to social networking sites, active teacher support is recommended. The interface uses some textual elements that may also need teacher support.
Cost: Free (no ads) Age rating: 4+ Education Classification: Constructive
This is a virtual animal, bird and plant spotters journal. Capture photos of the flora and fauna that is local to you, catalogue it and share it with other spotters around the world. Photos of unfamiliar species can be submitted for identification. Join one or more missions- some local, some global- to identify and share information about species. Particularly relevant to early learning services is the 'Global Schoolyard Bioblitz' mission; this is open to teachers and students around the world, encouraging the documentation of wildlife around the learning environment.
Usability: Since this app can be linked to social networking sites, active teacher support is recommended. The interface uses some textual elements that may also need teacher support.
The Human Body. Tinybop Inc. Category: Kids Size: 310MB
Cost: $2.99 (Additional 'Urogenital System' available for separate in-app purchase $0.99)
Age: Made for 6-8 year olds Education classification: Manipulable
A well made virtual human anatomy model; features working diagrams of each anatomical system, including realistic sounds of heartbeat, breathing and digestive tract. The various systems can be viewed separately or in combinations, with or without labels. The models respond to a variety of stimuli and the app utilises the microphone and camera to demonstrate auditory and visual systems.; the skeletal system can be dismantled (the skin promptly collapses!) and reassembled with a satisfying clatter of bones .
Usibility: Suitable for independent exploration, peer supported learning or group project but adult-child interaction is encouraged by the app developers. In particular the in-app recording feature allows the user to record a question or response; an excellent way to customise the use of this app.
Cost: $2.99 (Additional 'Urogenital System' available for separate in-app purchase $0.99)
Age: Made for 6-8 year olds Education classification: Manipulable
A well made virtual human anatomy model; features working diagrams of each anatomical system, including realistic sounds of heartbeat, breathing and digestive tract. The various systems can be viewed separately or in combinations, with or without labels. The models respond to a variety of stimuli and the app utilises the microphone and camera to demonstrate auditory and visual systems.; the skeletal system can be dismantled (the skin promptly collapses!) and reassembled with a satisfying clatter of bones .
Usibility: Suitable for independent exploration, peer supported learning or group project but adult-child interaction is encouraged by the app developers. In particular the in-app recording feature allows the user to record a question or response; an excellent way to customise the use of this app.
Meet the Insects by NCSoft Category: Kids Size: 555MB Cost: $7.49 This app is the first in a series of Meet the Insects apps; there is also currently a 'water' edition and a 'village' edition. Age: Made for 9-11 year olds Education classification: Instructive, with some manipulable features.
This is one of the more expensive apps in the 'Kids' category and one of the largest in size, but the level of detail and finish in the app makes it a worthwhile purchase. Although this app is made for older school children, it is suitable for the early learning environment. The app is divided into five sections: a multimedia library of photos and videos of various forest insects; a detailed catalogue of three different orders of insects; an interactive story about insects and their life cycles; an observation journal where the user can add photos of insects; and a quiz. The overall layout and graphics are beautifully rendered, with realistic images of the insects as well as photos and video footage. A pleasant sounding adult voice over reads the displayed text, which is informative, accurate but simply presented. The orders of insects presented are world wide (beetles, butterflies and bugs) individual insect species are from the northern hemisphere, but the individual species are from the northern hemisphere.
Usability: This app would be ideal as a teaching reference and resource, it is suitable for both individual and peer exploration, and group project work. There are two quizzes, one photo-based, the other text based; both use text-based questions and require teacher support to play.
This is one of the more expensive apps in the 'Kids' category and one of the largest in size, but the level of detail and finish in the app makes it a worthwhile purchase. Although this app is made for older school children, it is suitable for the early learning environment. The app is divided into five sections: a multimedia library of photos and videos of various forest insects; a detailed catalogue of three different orders of insects; an interactive story about insects and their life cycles; an observation journal where the user can add photos of insects; and a quiz. The overall layout and graphics are beautifully rendered, with realistic images of the insects as well as photos and video footage. A pleasant sounding adult voice over reads the displayed text, which is informative, accurate but simply presented. The orders of insects presented are world wide (beetles, butterflies and bugs) individual insect species are from the northern hemisphere, but the individual species are from the northern hemisphere.
Usability: This app would be ideal as a teaching reference and resource, it is suitable for both individual and peer exploration, and group project work. There are two quizzes, one photo-based, the other text based; both use text-based questions and require teacher support to play.
Peekaboo Farm by Day and Night Studios Size: 1MB Category: Kids Age: Made for under 5s Cost: $1.99
Education Classification: Manipulable
This is a deceptively simple app is aimed at the youngest children, and would be a good introduction app. The user is invited to touch the moving barn door to reveal a different farm animal inside; the illustrations are naïve and child-like. (If the user does not touch immediately, the knocking sound becomes louder and the moving more rapid.) The narrator says the name of the animal, the printed name appears above the image and the animal makes corresponding sound. The default spoken voiceover is that of a young child (aged 2), which is rather engaging. The genius is that the a number of different European and Asian languages can be selected and the animal sequence is done in that language. The app allows voices to be recorded, so that a teacher, parent or even a child's own words could be used, and additional languages added to the sequence.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration.
Education Classification: Manipulable
This is a deceptively simple app is aimed at the youngest children, and would be a good introduction app. The user is invited to touch the moving barn door to reveal a different farm animal inside; the illustrations are naïve and child-like. (If the user does not touch immediately, the knocking sound becomes louder and the moving more rapid.) The narrator says the name of the animal, the printed name appears above the image and the animal makes corresponding sound. The default spoken voiceover is that of a young child (aged 2), which is rather engaging. The genius is that the a number of different European and Asian languages can be selected and the animal sequence is done in that language. The app allows voices to be recorded, so that a teacher, parent or even a child's own words could be used, and additional languages added to the sequence.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration.
Rounds: Parker Penguin by Nosy Crow Category: Kids Age: Made for 6-8 year olds Cost: $5.49 Size: 121MB
Education Classification: Instructive
This is an interactive story app that follows the life cycle of a penguin in the Antarctic. Parker tells his life cycle story in the form of a first-person narrative; the user moves Parker through a series of interactive pages which give a factual and entertaining view of life for an Antarctic penguin. the life cycle includes courting a female penguin, caring for an egg, hatching and raising a chick named Percy. The chick grows up and the story goes back to the beginning, but with Percy as the adult penguin. Parker is voiced by child narrators, who have English accents; the narration is engaging and informative.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration and group sharing; the story can be played with or without voiced narration. The story is looped allowing multiple uses.
Education Classification: Instructive
This is an interactive story app that follows the life cycle of a penguin in the Antarctic. Parker tells his life cycle story in the form of a first-person narrative; the user moves Parker through a series of interactive pages which give a factual and entertaining view of life for an Antarctic penguin. the life cycle includes courting a female penguin, caring for an egg, hatching and raising a chick named Percy. The chick grows up and the story goes back to the beginning, but with Percy as the adult penguin. Parker is voiced by child narrators, who have English accents; the narration is engaging and informative.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration and group sharing; the story can be played with or without voiced narration. The story is looped allowing multiple uses.
Rounds: Franklin Frog by Nosy Crow Category: Kids Age: Made for 6-8 year olds. Cost: $5.49 Size: 107MB
Education classification: Instructive
This is another 'Rounds' story; this time following the life cycle of a frog in a pond. The narrative follows the life of Franklin frog from courtship of a female, to frog spawn, the transformation from a tadpole to adult frog.
The critique is the same as for Parker Penguin. The 'Rounds' series present an engaging means of conveying information about life cycles that is also factual.
Education classification: Instructive
This is another 'Rounds' story; this time following the life cycle of a frog in a pond. The narrative follows the life of Franklin frog from courtship of a female, to frog spawn, the transformation from a tadpole to adult frog.
The critique is the same as for Parker Penguin. The 'Rounds' series present an engaging means of conveying information about life cycles that is also factual.
Less inspired apps:
Life Cycles by Nth Fusion Category: Education Age: 4+ Size: 19. Cost: $0.99 Education Classification: Instructive /Reference
This app features the life cycles of insects, frogs and plants, and earth cycles such as water, the process of erosion and gas exchange between plants and the atmosphere. A voice over gives verbal information about each element of the static illustrations; the information is repeated in text format. The information is accurate, but it is presented in such a dry format, like a digital textbook that young children might not find engaging at all. The app does not invite the user to engage with the information, besides read it; it seems a shame that the developers did not better utilise the interactive potential of their app.
This app features the life cycles of insects, frogs and plants, and earth cycles such as water, the process of erosion and gas exchange between plants and the atmosphere. A voice over gives verbal information about each element of the static illustrations; the information is repeated in text format. The information is accurate, but it is presented in such a dry format, like a digital textbook that young children might not find engaging at all. The app does not invite the user to engage with the information, besides read it; it seems a shame that the developers did not better utilise the interactive potential of their app.
Dynastid Beetle by CJ Educations Category: Kids Size: 101MB Cost: $1.99 Age: Made for under 5s
Educational Classification: Instructive
This app is visually beautiful, with realistically rendered 3D images of dynastid beetles (think stag-horn beetles). The images are interactive and touching them reveals different body parts and functions. The app also features an interactive life cycle of the beetle, multimedia photographs and footage of actual beetles and a quiz. This potentially brilliant app is marred by a really irritating choice of voice overs. The beetles 'speak' with annoying cartoony falsettos which have a heavy American accent. The voiceovers cannot be turned off, so it might be worth using the app with the mute button on.
Educational Classification: Instructive
This app is visually beautiful, with realistically rendered 3D images of dynastid beetles (think stag-horn beetles). The images are interactive and touching them reveals different body parts and functions. The app also features an interactive life cycle of the beetle, multimedia photographs and footage of actual beetles and a quiz. This potentially brilliant app is marred by a really irritating choice of voice overs. The beetles 'speak' with annoying cartoony falsettos which have a heavy American accent. The voiceovers cannot be turned off, so it might be worth using the app with the mute button on.
Who lives here? by Penguin Australia Category: Kids Age: Made for under 5s Cost: $2.99 Education classification: Instructive
This app is rather disappointing. It is featured prominently as being "locally made"; however aside from the Australian voice over there is little that makes the app 'local'. The app features eight animal environments and invites the user to select the right animal from a list of three, the categories feature an American forest, but no Australian bush. The animals are rendered as simple animated cartoon images that can be moved around the backdrop; the animals respond when touched. There is no further information about either the animals or the environment they live in. The background pans rather disconcertingly to the right or left, meaning that a placed animal can disappear off screen. The app also seems to have an error, the seal in the 'North Pole' setting does not appear in the scene when touched.
Usability: This app is suitable for independent exploration, some teacher support is needed as some cues are written.
This app is rather disappointing. It is featured prominently as being "locally made"; however aside from the Australian voice over there is little that makes the app 'local'. The app features eight animal environments and invites the user to select the right animal from a list of three, the categories feature an American forest, but no Australian bush. The animals are rendered as simple animated cartoon images that can be moved around the backdrop; the animals respond when touched. There is no further information about either the animals or the environment they live in. The background pans rather disconcertingly to the right or left, meaning that a placed animal can disappear off screen. The app also seems to have an error, the seal in the 'North Pole' setting does not appear in the scene when touched.
Usability: This app is suitable for independent exploration, some teacher support is needed as some cues are written.
Goodnight Safari by Polk Street Press Category: Kids Age: Made for under 5s Cost: Free lite version. Full version with games available as an in-app purchase for $1.99. Education classification: Instructive Size: 315MB
An interactive picture book with lovely illustrations of animals on the African savannah. This makes a delightful picture-book, with simple interactive elements. While there is potential to learn something of the African savannah, the book falls short of being useful as a life science resource; many African animals are active during the evening and at night, especially the lions.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration and shared reading.
An interactive picture book with lovely illustrations of animals on the African savannah. This makes a delightful picture-book, with simple interactive elements. While there is potential to learn something of the African savannah, the book falls short of being useful as a life science resource; many African animals are active during the evening and at night, especially the lions.
Usability: Suitable for independent exploration and shared reading.
The Power of Minus Ten- Bone by Green-Eye Visualization Category: Science Age: 4+ Cost: Free Size: 43.9MB
Education Classification: Instructive/Reference
The app demonstrates what bone looks like under increasing degrees of magnification, from internal bone structure to cellular and DNA level. The diagrams are realistic looking images of bone and internal structures. The app shows healthy bone and the process the body goes through to heal a broken bone. This app has not been design specifically for children, touching the various components of the bone structure reveals long text-based information aimed at higher literacy levels.
Usability: This is one example of an app that could potentially be used as a learning resource; although the text is too wordy for preschool age children to use on their own, the images demonstrate the way magnification can show the internal structures and give a better understanding of how bodies work. Suitable for group project work, teacher support needed for interpreting the text labels.
Education Classification: Instructive/Reference
The app demonstrates what bone looks like under increasing degrees of magnification, from internal bone structure to cellular and DNA level. The diagrams are realistic looking images of bone and internal structures. The app shows healthy bone and the process the body goes through to heal a broken bone. This app has not been design specifically for children, touching the various components of the bone structure reveals long text-based information aimed at higher literacy levels.
Usability: This is one example of an app that could potentially be used as a learning resource; although the text is too wordy for preschool age children to use on their own, the images demonstrate the way magnification can show the internal structures and give a better understanding of how bodies work. Suitable for group project work, teacher support needed for interpreting the text labels.