Choosing Apps for your Mobile Device
There are thousands of Apps available to be downloaded on our mobile devices. How do we know which Apps are suitable and appropriate for children to use?
Just as we use common sense and our digital citizen skills when choosing appropriate websites to use we must also apply these same skills when selecting Apps.
Tips for selecting Apps.
Just as we use common sense and our digital citizen skills when choosing appropriate websites to use we must also apply these same skills when selecting Apps.
Tips for selecting Apps.
- What is your need or purpose for wanting the App? Do you want the App for educational, entertainment, fun or to support your learning?
- Does the App look easy to launch and use? Is the App designed for an iPhone or iPad (or both) ?
- Is the App designed for an iPhone or iPad (or both) ?
- Do you have permission to download any App? Have your parents or a trusted adult checked the App first?
- Does the App require you to register and login with a password or code?
- Does the App require you to add any personal/private information?
- Does the App require you to add/enable your location (geolocation App)? This could reveal your location in real-time to a stranger.
- Does the App require you to interact with others?
- What is the cost of the App? If it is Free does it have 'In-App purchases' ?
- How do you pay for your Apps? (iTunes card or parent's credit card)
- Use an online App guide.
- Does the App suggest an age level (although this is not always reliable)
- Look at the screen shots and User Reviews and Comments in the iTunes store.
What makes a good App? (Tony Vincent)
- Is the App relevant for your needs?
- Help or tutorial is available in the App
- Content is appropriate for the you
- Information is error-free, factual, and reliable
- Content can be exported, copied, or printed
- App’s settings and/or content can be customised
- Customised content can be transferred to other devices
- History is kept of student use of the App
- Design of App is functional and visually stimulating
- Student can exit App at any time without losing progress
- Works with accessibility options like VoiceOver and Speak Selection
- App is free of charge
- No in-App purchases are necessary for intended use of App
- App loads quickly and does not crash
- App contains no advertising
- App has been updated in the last 6 months
- App promotes creativity and imagination
- App provides opportunities to use higher order thinking skills
- App promotes collaboration and idea sharing
- App provides useful feedback