Aggravating app that doesn't live up to the hype

Submitted 8 years ago

Community Review for Apparatus

Melanie G.
Melanie G.
Forestbrook Middle School
Myrtle Beach SC, US
My Rating
Pedagogy
Supports

My Take

I wanted to purchase and review this app because I thought that it would be a good tool to increase depth of knowledge and practice for advanced learners and those in the programming/robotics club that I manage. Instead it was a struggle to get students to use more than once and when they did attempt to use the tool, it was a lesson in patience. The help feature is not integrated well and therefore is less than helpful. I would not recommend this product.

How I Use It

Although this might be a great resource for advanced learners who work well with limited to no directions or hints, this is not a good app for the general student population. Students in my robotics group tended to enjoy this app, however it was not something that they begged to use over and over. It is more of a one and done type of tool.

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Tracey W.
Tracey W. Digital Literacy Learning Specialist Bronx, NY
November 10, 2014

Applying Apparatus

I like the app, Apparatus. I think it is a different approach to learning concepts on gravity, force and movement. As a teaching tool, it does need a bit more refinement as I found it too time consuming to learn and get up an running. I think it is nice to have it as an option available to students, as many apps are similar, run of the mill and ordinary. I like the obstacle of failing and the many reattempts and the practice of trying to get it just right since these are key components in building grit, perseverance and resilience in our kids. This could better serve students by pairing up a frustrated student and a student that readily understands Apparatus in a reach one-teach one learning model. In addition, more technical support should be provided. As a teacher, I had difficulty staying motivated until a student explained what I would need to do in order to be successful. For purchase, I would avoid because of the fore mentioned problems. However, as a free app I would be inclined to make it available.
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