Description

The acceptability of mobile devices and mobile applications (apps) has resulted in exponential growth and consumption of such media. Although more than 50% of children under age eight have used a mobile app, there is still limited research on the utility of mobile devices and apps. With the growth in usage of apps especially by young children, there is tremendous potential for educational apps to become an important medium for education delivery as well as source of revenues for app developers. Using the most popular apps category of Google Play Store - “Educational Games”, we examine market dynamics and emerging opportunities within the field of educational paid and free apps marketed to young children. Our initial text and data analysis provide guidelines for app developers in terms of app description, ratings, and pricing. Our findings have implications for research and practice.

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Analytical Analysis of Educational Apps for Young Children: An Exploratory Study

The acceptability of mobile devices and mobile applications (apps) has resulted in exponential growth and consumption of such media. Although more than 50% of children under age eight have used a mobile app, there is still limited research on the utility of mobile devices and apps. With the growth in usage of apps especially by young children, there is tremendous potential for educational apps to become an important medium for education delivery as well as source of revenues for app developers. Using the most popular apps category of Google Play Store - “Educational Games”, we examine market dynamics and emerging opportunities within the field of educational paid and free apps marketed to young children. Our initial text and data analysis provide guidelines for app developers in terms of app description, ratings, and pricing. Our findings have implications for research and practice.