ABC Kids - App for phonics, alphabet and writing letters.
The home screen is actually quite confusing there is no description or encouragement of what or where to press. None of the interactive objects seem to be insinuating to be pressed or touched, therefore children may be confused. The introduction doesn't really explain or tell you what the app is about therefore children may get bored easily and click off, this also applies to adults.
The explanation of what to to at each stage is better here as it tells the children to select a letter, however the letters are not interactive or jumping out therefore young children may not realise where can be pressed or selected. The back button arrow is obvious which is good therefore they know how to get back to the home page.
The interactive element here is successful, the pointing finger demonstrates and instructs the children where to write and draw on the letter and which way the line needs to go. However for older children this may be quite patronising or when they learn to write the letters they may no longer needs this level of help and assistance. Which suggests that different levels of difficulty and age groups needs to be considered, especially if it's going to be used both at home and in an educational setting with children of all different ages and levels.
Similarly there is a reward of sticker to collect, which gives an aim and incentive to the user, for similar reasons to the above comment. It gives the user and the app a sense of purpose and a sense of achievement for playing and learning within the game.
Again here shows elements of praise when the user has been successful, with an inclusion of both text and images to show context to the letters.
Looking at the icons used, the arrow is lit up and ready to be selected therefore the user knows where to click, however in reviewing the app, it may be easier for the next level to come up automatically, as some younger children will be staring at the screen just waiting for something to happen, unless the icon starts moving to grasp their attention. Also looking at the screenshot below and above, the exit icon is faded out, maybe so they don't accidentally press on and they know not to press there unless it's necessary. Also the slide across movement across the screen maybe so the don't accidentally press on it and exit the game. If they want to exit the game it can be done so intentionally.
This app also has a section for adults and parents, which requires a numbered password to be placed in. However what is to say that a child of this age can't read that and logs in anyway. The parent can have access to the settings, and the different modes, so the child can't change these themselves. It also gives the option of viewing more different apps which can be purchased, therefore the child can't purchase these by accident. It also gives the option to review, the adult section uses more words, text and less icons.
Success of this app would consist of the colours and characters used within the app, making it more engaging. Most of the icons such as arrows, cross and letters are successful in communicating to the user. The praise which the app gives to the user is also well thought out as it gives the user a sense of achievement and the collection of stickers gives them an incentive to do well and carry on.
Disadvantages and things that don't work well within this app, are the child lock and parent's section, it's too easy to enter. The lack of explanation at the beginning of the app may cause user's to become bored as they don't know what the app is for or where to click. None of the interactive objects seem to be insinuating to be pressed or touched, therefore children may be confused. The speed at which the app moves along is a very slow pace, and the user may lose interest. The lack of different levels of difficulty makes the app seem quite patronising to the user as well.
This app similar to the opening page of the other app seems to have too many choices, there really only needs to one font, as younger children will find it hard to understand and which would be best to pick. There are also all different styles, the app that will be designed will only have the standard handwriting font used in schools installed. The screen also doesn't look that engaging or exciting, especially so as this is the first thing that will be seen by the user it looks very serious and mundane. The 'X' icon in the corner makes it very obvious that that is how to close the screen, again shows a use of icons rather than text.
When entering the main home screen of the app, it begins to look s abut more engaging with much more vibrant colours. The icons don't make it very easily understood that they are interactive, a movement or drop shadow would help this. Although the icons are bigger which in the hierarchy of the page means that children may go to here first which is correct. Again there isn't really any explanation of what each of the sections do or what you can learn from the app, for the benefit of both parents and children. Children and parents both want to know what they are going to get out of the app before they continue.
The red dots and arrows encourage the user to write the letters in the correct way and direction. For older children this may be to patronising therefore the different levels may be that they get less and less help throughout the app. The icons in the corner are simple to understand and there is no text at all on the screen only arrows, icons and the letterforms.
When writing the letter, the pen turn rainbow which is vibrant and engaging, although there is too much going on the screen it seems to be too busy, similarly down below. Although the app is trying to praise the children, there is too much on the page and it makes the app seem cheap and gaudy. It seems to reduce the educational aspect of it.
The design of the settings are definitely aimed more towards adults and parents, however the icons do make it somewhat understandable to children as well. You can change the size of type, difficulty and the style of pen. Again apart from the levels there seems to be too much choice.
Very similar to the previous app there is a child lock of a multiplication sum, to enter the parents section which access help, email and resource for learning and schools. This kind of lock is very underestimating of children as some could probably answer this, therefore a username and password would probably be better or a lock code, as this is better for efficiency than remembering a password and username. This safety mechanism is to stop children from getting contact information, keeping the safeguarding issue at bay. There is also a lot more text and less icons as parents will find this easier and quicker to read and understand. The same colours have been used throughout though to keep the app cohesive.
Successes of this app are the simplicity and ease of use specifically when tracing the letterforms. The praise as well, of achievement will give the user incentive to continue and a sense of pride. The icons within the app are very simplistic and easy to understand, on a global level.
Disadvantages of the app are again with the parent lock, children may actually be able to get through tot this which isn't safe. The colours and display used makes the app seem cheap and tacky, not very educational, especially within the tracing and congratulatory aspect. Also the opening screen is not only vague but it's also too mature and serious for the audience it doesn't seem relatable or friendly.
Endless Wordplay - App to help children with letters and spelling.
The opening screen animation goes on for much too long a time, users will lose interest fast, especially so when opening it every time and watching the same animation multiple times. It also doesn't explain what the app is or does, or what you can learn from or achieve from the app. However the different characters are engaging and add an element of fun and friendliness to the app.
The second game screen isn't very self explanatory, it isn't obvious where to click or which part to go to next, or even the objective of the game. They do have the aspect of levels and achievement to get through the game or world there is a fulfilment and purpose to the app, the app just doesn't make it known what this actually is. The element of the characters and the scene that the game is set in makes it more interactive and imaginative as if the user is in a different world. The level to click on seems to be pulsating and is a different colour, however it still wasn't obvious where to press to continue the game.
Again there are no instructions or even arrows showing the user what to do, where to drag or the aim of the game. The question mark icon brings up help but it isn't obviously there to be clicked on, it's hidden away, it is not very visible. The icon in the top right hand corner takes the user back to the home screen, however children may not understand this icon, a house or exit icon might be more understandable.
Again the praise element after the user doesn't something correctly, the machine lights up and smiles, which encourages the user and let's them know they are doing well.
After each level the arrow icon lights up which makes it easier to be known to be clicked on, however it may be easier if the design of the app made the next screen come up automatically and people who are aware and want to move on quicker can click on the arrow as well. The redo icon and the speaker is obvious as it is kind of a universal language and sign that most users will recognise.
This app has the same parent lock as the first app, again it underestimates the child's ability to read numbers therefore it it's safe or protected from children. The parent lock enables access t but other apps, as this is a big problem when children are playing on apps, that they accidentally or intently purchase others and buy things which parents may very well not be happy to do.
Success of this app are the characters, colours and scenery, overall design and illustrations in the app, looks high end, well thought out and engaging for the user. The learning element and praise for achievement works well, especially the different levels, makes sure there is a goal and fulfilment to the game. Making sure the audience will continue to use the app.
The disadvantages are that the app lacks instruction and descriptions. The parent lock aspect may fail if children are able to enter the code as well. Improvements could be made in the icons t the beginning, on the opening screen explaining the app and entering the app at different levels. An option for saving levels needs to exist as well, so the user can revisit the app and not redo the levels as this will become boring.
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