Review of Evernote Peek by Kathy Burdick

Name of App: Evernote Peek

Free or Fee: Free!

Rating: 5/5 stars

Why I like it: Evernote Peek is a fun alternative to flashcards if you have an iPad 2 with a Smart Cover. The app has a few existing notebooks (Sushi Quiz, French Words, and a How To Manual). So, if you are teaching a class on sushi your students can open the existing notebook to begin studying but, for the rest of us teachers we can create a new notebook for any topic or lesson. Students can even create their own notebook to better suit their needs. Students can also use Evernote Peek to study simultaneously with a partner since the answer is covered (challenge partners to see who can answer correctly the quickest!) In addition to the existing notebooks in Peek, Evernote has several other notebooks that can be downloaded by logging onto Evernote from your iPad. These include, Nouns, Music Terms, Periodic Table, Economy 101 and World Capitals. Digital studying is much more fun than the  ‘ol index cards!

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Interesting findings from - Learning: Is there an app for that? Report by Cynthia Chiong & Carly Shuler

There is a new report out on the gains made through mobile learning and "apps": Report by Cynthia Chiong & Carly Shuler ...  The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop.

Link to report:  http://www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/Reports-27.html

The press release was very interesting as there are suggestions for app developers.  

• Design developmentally appropriate apps – Applications should center on relevant, age-appropriate content that balances engagement with learning.  They should also account for children’s developing motor skills.
• Create apps that sustain interest – Children use apps for short periods of time and interest quickly diminishes.  Developers should design activities that incorporate specific educational goals and incentives to hold their interest.
•  Use mobile devices as supplemental tools – App content can be developed around curriculum goals in literacy, math and science as well as life skills to supplement and extend school-based learning.
•  Inform parents – App developers’ claims of educational impact are largely unsubstantiated and should be based on specific evidence.  Parents need more information from consumer groups and educators on how mobile devices can and should be used as learning tools.

What are your thoughts?

Can I read a study on the effectiveness of Apps in Education?

I have not come across very many studies that have been published yet but they are coming.  Here is an initial post on a study that you might find interesting. 

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-31747_7-20006660-243.html

 

A new study finds that educational iPhone apps can increase a child's vocabulary acquisition by as much as 31 percent within two weeks. The study is part of a larger look at the relationship between technology and education, administered by PBS and funded by a grant from the Department of Education.