Parents are calling on schools to invest more in educational apps, as it is predicted that they will soon become the most important way in which primary-aged children learn in the classroom.

 

The research from Encyclopædia Britannica found that the majority of parents who own a smartphone or tablet (59 per cent) say they would like their child’s school to invest more in educational apps to help with their child’s education, while almost half (48 per cent) predict that mobile software will replace text books within the next five years.

 

The survey, which questioned 510 UK parents of children aged 5 – 11 with access to at least one smart device, also revealed that many parents predict that educational apps will rapidly usurp other traditional learning methods in the classroom, such as study guides, CDs and other educational software, as they are more engaging, do more to encourage independent learning and are more interactive for children.

 

learning methods in the classroom, the survey revealed 

 

Despite this, many parents feel that schools should be doing more to embrace mobile learning. More than half (55 per cent) say schools should use educational apps to help pupils with school and homework, with nearly a fifth (18 per cent) saying they agreed strongly that schools should encourage their pupils to use the technology.

 

Previous research from Britannica has already demonstrated the power of educational apps in schools, with two in five parents (40 per cent) who download educational apps saying their child’s academic performance had improved as a result.

 

Ian Grant, Managing Director of Britannica said:

 

“With so many parents and children already using educational apps, it’s vital that schools embrace this new technology and really explore its potential.

 

“It’s clear that the days when pupils were expected to carry around a bag full of heavy textbooks for homework are long gone, as technology has evolved. Educational apps provide a wonderful opportunity for schools to engage with their pupils and really demonstrate the educational power and value of this new technology.”

 

Britannica has developed a series of nine curriculum-based apps for children aged 8 – 12 based on popular primary school subjects. The apps can be downloaded on a range of platforms and are suitable for PCs, netbooks, iPads, iPhones and Touchpads via the iTunes App Store, the Intel AppUp Center, HP App Catalogue and the Know How App Centre.

 

For more information, click here.

 

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