The value of online educational apps – A guide for parents
Exploring the Impact of Educational Apps on Learning: Insights from a Harvard Study
Recent years have shown that while educational technology is increasingly embedded in our learning environments, its effectiveness often falls short of expectations. This issue was highlighted in “The Great School Rethink,” which devoted an entire chapter to it. A new meta-analysis conducted by Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Professor Jimmy Kim and Ph.D. student Josh Gilbert delves into this topic, providing critical insights into when and why educational apps may actually enhance learning.
The Role of Educational Apps Post-COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed millions into online learning, amplifying the relevance of educational apps. However, the effectiveness of these apps in improving outcomes like math and reading scores has been a point of contention. Traditionally, researchers use randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to measure efficacy, but these often involve small, homogeneous groups, limiting the broader applicability of the results.
What is Meta-Analysis?
Meta-analysis offers a solution by aggregating the results of multiple studies, providing a more robust overview of the data. This method assesses the consistency and variability of outcomes across different studies, giving us a clearer picture of the effectiveness of educational interventions.
Key Findings from the Study
Kim and Gilbert’s analysis reviewed 36 studies focusing on apps designed to enhance math and reading skills in children aged 3 to 9. The results were generally positive, but with a catch: the effectiveness of these apps varied significantly. This variance points to the necessity of examining the specific characteristics of both the studies and the apps themselves to understand what contributes to their success or failure.
Variables Influencing App Effectiveness:
- Type of Test Used: Apps tested with assessments specifically designed to measure targeted skills showed better results compared to those evaluated with standard tests.
- Skill Type: Apps focusing on constrained skills (like letter recognition and counting) were more effective than those targeting broader, unconstrained skills (such as vocabulary).
- Age of Children: Preschool-aged children benefited more from these apps compared to those in kindergarten through third grade.
Interestingly, the study found that the “dosage” of app usage—how often and how long children used the app—did not significantly impact effectiveness. This suggests that how an app is used may be more important than how much it is used.
Implications for Parents and Educators
Before adopting an educational app based on the latest research, it is crucial for parents and educators to critically evaluate the study’s methods and results. Considerations should include whether the study used standardized or custom tests, targeted constrained or unconstrained skills, and the age group of the children involved. These factors can significantly influence the applicability and effectiveness of educational apps.
Conclusion
Educational apps can be a valuable tool for enhancing learning, but their effectiveness depends heavily on the context in which they are used. By understanding the specific conditions under which apps succeed, parents and educators can make more informed decisions that truly benefit children’s educational journeys. The real question isn’t just whether educational apps work, but for whom and under what specific conditions they prove most effective.
TIP of the day
When you do research on educational apps for your children (or any other matter, even for yourself) please make sure you investigate the safety of the WEB-site hosting the app. The figure below highlights one of the tools one can use as a first step.
