Content analysis of educational apps

2015

The proliferation of mobile devices and their use by children of all ages has led some families and educators to question their quality and suitability. In the absence of a formal system for classifying applications, they tend to consult specialized websites or expert blogs in order to choose apps for children. The project presents the findings of a content analysis of the visual and interactive design features of 100 educational applications recommended by international experts and educators and targeted at children between six months and eight years old. The study was conducted within the framework of child-computer interaction studies (CCI), but from a pedagogical and psychological perspective, thus helping determine the key qualitative criteria for the design of children’s applications for entertainment and learning. The results of the statistical analysis suggest a low quality of visual and interaction design and content in the sample of apps analysed.