Can iPhone Apps Make Your Kids Smarter?
July 27, 2010,
By Jonathan Wylie
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A recent study by PBS Kids found that mobile apps, like those used on the iPhone, iPad
Today's children are what Marc Prensky, an American education expert and author, calls "digital natives." They are being raised in the time of a technological revolution. They are surrounded by hi-tech gadgets that are more accessible than they ever have been. Playstations, Nintendos, iPods, smart phones and social networking sites are a daily part of our children's lives, and part of the way they learn, communicate and entertain themselves. In short, they learn in ways that we did not.
Mobile learning, or m-learning as it is often referred to, is the practice of using portable electronic devices to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom, and iPhone apps for kids are a great gateway into this. As a percentage of a whole, the number of dedicated educational apps available at the iTunes store is still small, but it is a growing market, especially as more and more schools are investing in the use of devices like the iPod Touch as part of their lessons.
Another recent study conducted at Abilene Christian University involved the integration of the "Statistics 1" app into an introductory statistics class. Students found that they were more motivated and understood the content better when using the app, while instructors noticed a marked improvement in student preparation for each session. Can iPhone apps make your kids smarter? Absolutely, but, in reality, they are just the tip of the iceberg.
With adequate funding, schools are replacing their outdated desktop computer labs with affordable, portable netbook carts. They are wheeled in and out of classrooms as needed, and students are using them more and more as an integral part of their learning. Other schools are embracing, instead of banning, the use of cell phones at school.
The technology that they offer today is too great to pass up, and the majority of students do not even need any instruction on how to use them. Apple's iPad is being tested by some educators who are looking to add more flexibility and interactivity to their classrooms. They provide a much better viewing area for browsing the internet when compared to the iPod Touch, but they still run all the iPhone apps that the students were used to using, and they make great ebook readers.
In June 2009, the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, introduced his digital textbooks initiative, and California became the first state to offer math and science textbooks in a digital format to its high school students. Why? They are less expensive, better for the environment, and easier to update. They are also better for student health.
A recent hot topic with parents is the weight of student backpacks with some studies suggesting that 14 pounds is the average weight shouldered by a middle school student. Imagine carrying all your textbooks in something as light and portable as a Kindle – nice!
Mobile learning is here to stay, and as parents, we need to embrace it. iPhone apps for kids are great, and a useful tool for any parent or teacher, but don't forget the bigger picture. Your digital natives are counting on you.
Jonathan Wylie is a certified teacher and freelance writer. He is a contributor to Six Apart Media.
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