Review by Debbie Gorrell, Common Sense Education | Updated February 2014
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Analemma

Get it now
  • Download from App Store

Content-specific, info-packed reference is interesting but text heavy

Subjects & skills
Subjects
  • Science
Skills
  • Critical Thinking
Grades This grade range is a recommendation by Common Sense Education and not the developer/publisher.
9–12
Common Sense says (See details)
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Not yet reviewed
Price:  Free
Platforms:  iPad

Take a look inside

5 images
Information is well organized into categories on the main screen.
Kids can learn about Earth's movement around the sun.
Detailed diagrams help support learning.
Students can touch a planet to watch its analemma.
The Draw feature lets kids graph analemma.

Pros: Lots of interesting, detailed information with supporting animations.

Cons: Kids don't get to interact much with the app and can't apply or assess understanding.

Bottom Line: Reference tool gives in-depth coverage of interesting Earth science phenomenon, but lacks interactivity and learning assessment.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

If you're looking for an interesting Earth science topic to cover in class, consider having kids use Analemma as a research tool. Kids should have some background knowledge about Earth's orbit around the sun. Break kids into pairs or small groups, and have each group research the analemma using the app as their main source of information. Encourage kids to take notes as they read and watch the animations, and then have them write a 3-2-1 summary describing three things they learned, two things they found most interesting, and one thing they still have a question about. You could also have each group write five quiz questions and swap the questions with another group to answer.

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Standards:

Analemma is a straightforward science reference tool. It contains specific information about a phenomenon known as the analemma, which is the figure-8 path that the sun (or other celestial body) makes as viewed from Earth (or other celestial body). The information is organized into main categories, and each category explains a different aspect of the analemma. Animations and diagrams help support the content. In the category titled Draw, kids can manipulate factors to virtually draw a graph of the analemma.

Like many reference tools, Analemma is text heavy. Kids learn by reading and watching animations, which do a great job of illustrating concepts. But the only real interaction is with the Draw feature, which allows kids to change factors like eccentricity and obliquity in order to visualize how these changes affect the analemma. Learning relies heavily on memorization, and without any sort of assessments or scored games, kids may not retain much information.

Overall Rating
Engagement Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?

Kids may enjoy watching the animations that illustrate concepts, but the app is text heavy and has minimal interactivity.

Pedagogy Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?

Learning is based strictly on memorization and is supported by diagrams and animations.

Support Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?

Navigation is simple and straightforward, and content is well organized into main categories.

Common Sense Reviewer
Debbie Gorrell
About our ratings and privacy evaluation.

Key Standards Supported

Reading Science/Technical

  • RST.9-10.4

    Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9–10 texts and topics.

  • RST.9-10.2

    Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; trace the text’s explanation or depiction of a complex process, phenomenon, or concept; provide an accurate summary of the text.

  • RST.9-10.10

    By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 9–10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

  • RST.11-12.4

    Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 11–12 texts and topics.

  • RST.11-12.10

    By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 11–12 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

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