In a world full of digital tools, it can be challenging to distinguish between apps that actually support learning and development, and those that only entertain. In this article, we explain what makes an app truly educational, and how Appguiden evaluates quality based on transparent, explicit criteria.
What is an educational app?
An educational app is a digital application designed to support learning and development in children. Unlike pure entertainment, educational apps have:
- Clear learning objectives: The app has a clear purpose – to develop specific skills such as language, mathematics, creativity, logic, or social skills.
- Progressive difficulty: The content adapts to the child's level and gradually increases in complexity to promote mastery.
- Meaningful interactivity: The child is actively involved in the learning process, not just a passive observer.
- Pedagogical foundation: The design is based on research-based principles for children's learning and development.
- Positive feedback: The app provides constructive feedback that motivates and supports learning without punishing errors.
Example of an educational app
A good educational app for language learning will introduce simple words with pictures, let the child pronounce the word, provide positive feedback upon success, and gradually introduce more complex words and sentences. It will not bombard the child with ads, time-limited rewards, or manipulative elements that pressure purchases.
The difference between educational apps and entertainment apps
There's nothing wrong with entertainment, but it's important to distinguish between apps designed for learning and those primarily meant for pastime:
| Educational app | Entertainment app |
|---|
| Clear learning objectives | Focus on fun and engagement |
| Progressive learning | Repetitive mechanics |
| Constructive feedback | Rewards and punishments |
| Develops competence | Entertains |
| No manipulative elements | Ads, timers, purchase pressure |
| Respects child's time | Designed for maximum screen time |
Appguiden's criteria: How we evaluate educational apps
At Appguiden, we use a transparent, criteria-based system to evaluate the quality of educational apps. Our system is not based on "magic AI" or unexplained algorithms – it's a structured evaluation based on four main areas:
1. Pedagogical quality (40%)
This is the core of our evaluation. We assess:
- Learning objectives: Does the app have clear, explicit learning objectives? Are they age-appropriate?
- Pedagogical progression: Does the app adapt to the child's level? Does the difficulty level increase gradually?
- Interactivity: Is the child actively involved, or just passively consuming?
- Feedback: Does the app provide constructive, mastery-promoting feedback?
- Deep learning: Does the app promote understanding and creativity, or only memorization and mechanical repetition?
- Ownership and choice: Does the app give the child the opportunity to explore and make their own choices?
2. Safety and privacy (30%)
Safety is non-negotiable. We assess:
- Advertising: Apps without ads score higher. Ads expose children to manipulation and age-inappropriate content.
- Privacy: What data does the app collect? Is data shared with third parties? We prioritize apps with minimal data collection.
- Purchase pressure: Apps with aggressive in-app purchases or manipulative timers score low.
- Security: Is the app safe from unwanted contact, content, or links to external websites?
- Transparency: Does the app have a clear, understandable privacy policy?
3. User experience (20%)
A good app must be intuitive and child-friendly. We assess:
- Intuitive design: Can the child navigate the app independently without constant help from parents?
- Visual clarity: Are the design and icons clear and age-appropriate?
- Sound quality: Are instructions and feedback clear and pleasant?
- Pace and sessions: Are the activities appropriately long for the age group?
- Accessibility: Can the app be used by children with different needs? Is there support for multiple languages, subtitles, speed adjustment?
4. Technical quality (10%)
Apps must function reliably. We assess:
- Stability: Does the app crash? Does it freeze?
- Performance: Does the app load quickly? Does it respond responsively?
- Compatibility: Does it work on multiple devices and operating systems?
- Updates: Is the app actively maintained by developers?
Appguiden's score calculation
Each app receives a total Appguiden score from 0-100, calculated as:
Appguiden score = (40% × Pedagogical quality) + (30% × Safety) + (20% × User experience) + (10% × Technical quality)
This formula ensures that pedagogy and safety weigh heaviest, while technical execution and design also count. We make this transparent so that parents understand why an app is recommended.
What makes an educational app truly good?
Beyond the criteria above, there are some qualities that characterize the very best educational apps:
1. Active learning, not passive consumption
Children learn best by doing, not just watching. The best apps require the child to think, experiment, solve problems, and make choices – not just press buttons and watch videos.
2. Mastery over frustration
Good educational apps balance challenge and mastery. They give the child the feeling of succeeding while stretching a bit further each time. This builds confidence and joy of learning.
3. Parental engagement as an option
While the child should be able to use the app independently, the best apps invite conversation between parents and children. They give parents insight into what the child is learning and how they're progressing.
4. Connection to the real world
Learning shouldn't stay in the app. The best educational apps inspire children to use what they learn in reality – counting toys, forming letters with their bodies, or solving problems in everyday life.
5. Respect for the child's time and attention
Good apps are designed for meaningful time, not maximum screen time. They have natural ending points, encourage breaks, and don't use manipulative techniques to keep the child trapped.
Red flags: When an app is not educational
Be critical of apps that:
- Call themselves "educational" without learning objectives: Many apps are marketed as educational without having clearly defined learning objectives or research basis.
- Use rewards that manipulate: Timers, streaks, daily reminders, and "loot boxes" are designed to create addiction, not learning.
- Have aggressive advertising or purchase pressure: If the app constantly tries to sell more content, consider whether the money is worth it – or find a better alternative.
- Only provide passive experiences: Videos and animations can be fun, but if the child is not actively involved, the learning effect is minimal.
- Lack progression: If the app just repeats the same tasks at the same level, the child loses interest and learns little new.
How to choose the right educational app
Here are some practical tips for finding good educational apps:
- Use curated guides: Avoid browsing through thousands of apps in app stores. Use Appguiden or similar sources that do the quality assessment for you.
- Read reviews critically: Look for reviews from parents and teachers, not just high rankings that may be bought or manipulated.
- Test the app yourself first: Download the app and use it yourself before giving it to the child. Check the privacy policy, look for ads, and try some activities.
- Talk to the child: Ask what they think about the app. Is it fun? Are they learning something? Do they feel pressure to buy something?
- Combine digital and physical: The best learning experiences come when digital tools are combined with physical activity, conversations, and play in reality.
Frequently asked questions
Can free apps be educational?
Yes, but be critical. Free apps are often financed through advertising, data collection, or in-app purchases. Some free apps are genuinely educational and financed by non-profit organizations or public funds. Others use "educational" as marketing while primarily designed to maximize revenue. Always check privacy and the funding model.
Are subscription apps worth it?
If the app delivers high pedagogical quality, regular updates with new content, and no ads, a subscription can be a good investment. Compare the cost with other learning resources like books or courses. Consider whether the app is actually used regularly before renewing the subscription.
How much screen time is OK for educational apps?
Quality is more important than quantity. Pediatric guidelines recommend maximum 1 hour of screen time daily for children 2-5 years, and consistent limits for older children. Educational apps can be part of this time, but they should never replace physical activity, sleep, social interaction, or play in reality. Read more in our safe screen use guide.
Can educational apps replace physical toys and books?
No. Educational apps are a supplement, not a replacement. Children need physical, sensory experiences – building with blocks, flipping through books, drawing with real pencils. Digital tools can enhance learning, but they should always be one part of a varied learning environment.
Summary: Quality over marketing
An educational app is more than an app that calls itself "educational". It's an app that has:
- Clear learning objectives based on pedagogical research
- Progressive learning that adapts to the child's level
- Active interactivity where the child is creative, not passive
- Safety and respect for the child's privacy and time
- Mastery-promoting design that builds confidence
At Appguiden, we do the work for you by evaluating apps based on these criteria with full transparency. Our scoring is explicit, explained, and updated – so you can make informed choices about which digital tools actually support your child's learning and development.
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