App-Based Education and the Principles of Learningby Jake Whiddon

80,000+ educational apps in the stores!

Worldwide mobile education app downloads from 2017 to 2020

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1128262/mobile-education-app-downloads-worldwide-platforms-millions/

COVID Bump

• Coding• Math• Language Learning• Class Management • Quizzes

https://sensortower.com/blog/top-education-apps-us-2018-downloads

Do these apps use principles of learning?

What should schools and teachers look for in educational apps?

Let’s look at some research!

Criteria

Opportunities for input and

output

Minds On (Active)

Learning

Engagement in the learning(Motivation)

Meaningful Learning

Social Interaction

Scaffolding of Learning

Targets

Research on 4 leadinglanguage learning apps

Key findings!

Overuse of passive activitiesLimited social interactionLimited use of dataLacking context at times

Highly motivating ScaffoldingPersonal learning journeysLink homes and schools Learning insights Micro-assessments

Minds On - Active Learning

Videos with no interaction

Context setting, interaction, input, not assessed

Interactive assessed activities providing feedback on learning

Menu, loading time, waiting time

15%

42%

0%

29%0%

16%

43%

16%

81%

33%48%

29%

4% 9% 10%26%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

EF Lingokids Studycat iHuman

Activity Type by % of Time in app (per unit)

Passive Activity Experience Activity Assessment Activity Other

APP 1 APP 2 APP 3 APP 4

Assessment does not equal boring tests!

Songs

Spelling

Phonics

Quizzes

Student ExperienceEvery interaction is an opportunity to assess learning.

Phonics

Why do we want a lot of assessment activities?

Learning data

but more importantly...

Learning Insights!

Parents and students

1

Quality insights into learning

Not just what the student did

but how they did itand how well they performed!

hom

ework

sco

re (a

ve.)

Which students need my help?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

number of repeat plays

Jake’s top tips for choosing apps

• Ensure limited passive content • Must encourage active learning • Links between home and school• Provide learning insights• Presents learning in context