Welcome to the EduApps research collaboration and dissemination site. This research has been made possible by the Ontario Research Fund, funding research excellence.

EduApps is a suite of apps (mobile and web based) that focus on the health, well-being and development of one’s mind, body and community.

The research project entitled, “There’s an App for That” investigates the design process, development, implementation and evaluation of a suite of educational apps. While striving to help students build confidence and competence in the cognitive (mind), physical (body) and socio-emotional (community) domains, the researchers are also interested in the impact a learning portal may have on teachers, student learning and the surrounding community.

“There’s an App for That” Research objectives:

  1. To design, develop, implement, evaluate, and make available through a learning portal (EDUZONE) a suite of educational apps that focus on helping students build confidence and competencies in three domains: 1)Cognitive (Mind Zone); 2) Physical (Body Zone); and 3) Social-Emotional (Community Zone);
  2. To explore the impact of the learning portal (EDUZONE) on the learning of students, their teachers, and the community; and
  3. To build capacity for investigating and affecting innovation in formal and informal education settings in the use of the digital innovation.

It is hoped this research can build capacity for investigating and affecting innovation in formal and informal education settings in the use of digital technology. The apps have been researched and developed through partnerships with school boards and community organizations. Information on each of the domains (zones) purpose, apps and related research can be found below.


MIND ZONE 

The Mind Zone aims to help Ontario students develop their cognitive abilities through conceptually-based math & language learning apps & resources. The Mind Zone focuses primarily on the creation of mathematics apps and resources. Inequitable access to mathematics education has been acknowledged both to restrict student opportunities for broader academic success, and to limit civic participation which depends on critical interpretation of statistics, numerical trends, and their societal implications (e.g., Anderson & Tate, 2008; Skovsmose & Valero, 2008). The convergence of numeracy and literacy skills required for 21st century demands, as well as generational and economic gaps in technological accessibility and competency, positions this kind of digital innovation as a particularly high-needs area. The Mind area will focus on apps to address: a.) the incorporation of storytelling in mathematics teaching and learning b.) multimodal modelling of mathematics concepts and relationships. 

MIND ZONE – MATH + CODING APPS + SUPPORT RESOURCES
  1. Repeating Patterns
  2. Symmetry
  3. Density
  4. Growth
  5. Motion
  6. Support resources (free, self-serve workshops + resources at cost recovery)
  7. Math4Kids
  8. Multiplication
  9. Division
MIND ZONE – LANGUAGE APPS
  1. H-Matrix
  2. CardIt (in demo stage – log in info at bottom of info page)
  3. Vocabulary Error Correction


BODY ZONE 

The Body Zone aims to increase nutrition and physical literacy, with a goal of improving the nutritional and physical health of Ontario school children. The Body Zone focuses primarily on the creation of health and nutrition apps and resources. Poor dietary patterns affect academic performance and put children at an increased risk of weight gain and obesity (MacLellan D 2008, Neumark-Sztainer 1997, Neumark-Sztainer 1996). A lack of physical literacy, and as a result, activity also plays a role in student success and achievement, in addition to overall weight maintenance and general health. This area will create apps to address a.) healthy eating b.) physical literacy c.) physical activity.

BODY ZONE APPS
  1. FoodBot Factory App (Android) *mHealth app designed to teach children about food and nutrition
  2. FoodBot Factory App (Augmented Reality – In Development)


COMMUNITY ZONE

The Community Zone aims to help Ontario school children develop socio-emotional skills to effectively handle life challenges and thrive in learning and social environments. Socio-emotional development includes the ability to form and sustain positive relationships; experience, manage and express emotions, and engage effectively with our environments. The Community Zone focuses primarily on the creation of socio-emotional apps and resources, so students can develop the capacity to be healthy and caring community citizens. This area will contain three apps designed to address: a) emotional intelligence/ self-regulation; b) healthy relationships (i.e. bullying, conflict management, decision making, cultural competence); and, c) mental health (i.e. coping skills, problem solving, self-esteem).

COMMUNITY ZONE APPS
  1. Civilizations – Sustainable Growth App
  2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) App – SETS
  3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Workshop
  4. Anti Bullying App – Choose Your Own Adventure (In Development)