Evaluation process - What makes a good app?

IEAR has struggled to identify what makes a good educational app.  We talk about this a lot.  We have created rubrics and we have categorized, well, we have not come up with a clean process that we all agree upon. The problem is that apps might be useless for some and very valuable for others.  The grading always goes back to the purpose and the need!

Our latest podcast #9 which will be published soon had this discussion in reference to "niche" apps.  Sometimes that niche app can really make a difference.  Other times, they become superfluouse because of the cost or the labor to get it synced and installed.  How can we determine the best apps available? 

Well ... Harry Walker from John Hopkins University is trying to do just that.  Here is a rubric that he has created that we are looking to get some feedback upon.  Please take a look at the rubric and leave your feedback with a comment.  I definitely think there is a lot of value to what Harry has going here!

Download a Copy Here

iPods for Everything A Summary of Findings By: Amy Ertel and Jeremy Skura

iPods for Everything was a classroom initiative that brought technology to the students’ fingertips.  Through the use of iPod touches we enriched student activities, student learning, and gave reference materials to students on a daily basis.  The partnership between technology and teacher instruction lead to a more meaningful curriculum that supported student achievement. The iPod touches were used to study basic math facts, history states and capitals, looking up information, recording speeches, making podcasts, watching podcasts, integrating music into writing prompts, and listening to audio versions of literature circle books.  These are a few ways in which the iPod touches were used to allow students to grow educationally and thrive with the technology that they are accustom.

iPod touch Evaluation for End of Year - By: Amy Ertel and Jeremy Skura