The influx of Educational Apps makes it very difficult to decide which apps are worthwhile and which are not.

Memory Zoo is an Auditory Memory app that is compatable with  iPod & iPad.

 

My rubric is based on www.speechgadget.com

Thank you Deb for all your hard work and for sharing!

 

App Review Checklist & Rating Chart: Total Score 20

Speech/Language/Education Apps

 

GENERAL INFORMATION & OPERATION	5/6
App is easy to use & does not crash	1
Content is appropriate	1
No in app purchases required for use	1
Help/tutorial Available	0
App does not contain ads	1
App is fairly priced and/or comparable to other similarly priced apps	1
FEATURES	4/6
App can be customized for different users	1
App can be used for single user or groups	1
In app data collection is available	1
Content/data can easily be exported	0
User data is saved from session to session	0
App provides useful feedback for user to allow for improved performance	1
APP DESIGN	2/2
Design graphics/sounds are appealing	1
App is interactive, engaging & motivating for user	1
SPEECH/LANGUAGE USE	6/6
App is designed to target speech/language skills/auditory processing	1
App is easily adapted to target speech/language skills	1
App encourages critical thinking and higher level language	1
App has good potential for interaction between user and therapist	1
Skill reinforced is connected to targeted skill or concept	1
App can be used across a variety of age/developmental groups	1

 

Star Rating

5 stars     17 – 20 points

4 stars       13 – 16 points

3 stars        9 – 12 points

2 stars          5 – 8 points

1 star            0 – 4 points

 

           App Review: Memory Zoo

          App Name:     Memory Zoo

          Developer: GrasshopperApps.com

          Price:                Free

 

Memory Zoo is fun memory challenge that can be customized to suit all ages.  The app comprises of three games in one which can be used to target memory in different ways. Although it is relies primarily on visual memory there is an auditory component too.

 

 

MEMORY GAME 1: ANIMAL HUNT

In this game, you are shown a series of animals on the screen. You have to remember the location of ALL the animals to advance to the next screen.  It starts off simply but every time you get something correct an additional item is added.

MEMORY GAME 2: FIND THE ITEM

Similar to the animal hunt game; you are shown a group of animals. However, this time, instead of remembering the location of all animals, you just have to be able to recall the location of a specific animal.  This can be done by listening to an auditory cue, a visual written cue or both a visual and auditory cue.

MEMORY GAME 3: MEMORY CARDS

This is an animal version of the classic memory card “pairs” game.

APP STRENGTHS

Game is easy to use and intuitive.

The settings allow you to adjust the difficulty levels and it can be used for children from about 4 ½ years old right through primary school. In fact, I really enjoyed playing with this app too.

Settings can be changed: This includes the reveal time of the target stimulus and board size.

Skill settings can also be adjusted to have audio or visual, or both cues.

The game can be paused to allow for discussion between turns. Memory strategies can be discussed and the child can be encouraged to try and use them.

App can be used with up to four players in a group.

There is both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The children really want to try “one more time” to improve on their own score and they really want their name on the leader board for all to see.

 

AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT

The app does not allow for data storage and transfer from session to session (unless you appear on the leader board).

Settings cannot be adjusted during the game. This would allow the facilitator to mediate the game more appropriately for the child.

Although the app is intuitive, there is no help/tutorial and it took me a while to figure out what the hearts and the torches were for. The “torches” give you another look at the sequences and if you find a “heart” you get an extra life.

Some of the animals are not familiar to the South African population.

A bigger variety of animals would allow for further vocabulary development.

 

Recommendation:

Based on my app rating system, I gave Memory Zoo

17/20 points and

5/5   stars.

Well worth it!