4.2
Where to Buy

easyLearn Simple Machines HD App Review

App Info

Price: $2.99

Overview

EasyLearn Simple Machines is an app that will teach concepts about simple machines to upper elementary, middle school and high school students. It offers three modes of use. The Learn mode presents information about simple machines and how they are used in 36 lessons. The Practice Mode offers six different types of practice, including matching, sorting and questions, as well as an assorted section that mixes up the question types. The Quiz mode offers four different formats for questions and also offers an “Assorted” option.

Features include:

  • Detailed information about the six simple machines
  • Detailed information about how simple machines work
  • Detailed information about recognizing simple machines in everyday life
  • Includes math equations to calculate the amount of work each machine can do
  • Includes trivia about simple machines and their history
  • Progress report following use of Quiz mode
  • Vivid and clear illustrations, pictures, diagrams and visual aids
  • Many types of interactivity in Practice and Quiz modes

 Quality

On the whole, Simple Machines is a good app to help students with understanding or reviewing this important science concept. The program is simple to use and very straight forward, yet vivid pictures and variety in types of interaction will make it a favorite for students. Navigation is simple and the program functions smoothly. Simple Machines does what it sets out to do: educate learners about simple machines in an engaging and memorable way, then allow them to test their knowledge.

However, there are several grammar errors in the text of the program, which quickly become distracting, and worse yet, set a very poor example for young learners. For example, in the first lesson, the writer notes that “Some machines have a lot of moving parts. We call them complex machines. Ex. washing machine, dish washer etc.” To be grammatically sound, this passage should read as follows: “Some machines have a lot of moving parts. We call them “complex machines.” For example, washing machines, dish washers, etc. are all complex machines.” Another frequent error was the repetition of the phrases “more steeper” and “less steeper” in reference to the inclined planes. Grammar errors like these caused the lower quality rating.

Education

The information presented in Simple Machines is good for the most part, and students will learn a lot about them. It was a good idea to have an instructional section, followed by practice and testing. The text is at an appropriate reading level, and the pictures, diagrams and illustrations are clear and easy to follow. The concepts presented are at a great level for the middle school students in the target audience, as they include not only information about the simple machines themselves and their applications, but also information about the math formulas to calculate the amount of work done as well as historical tidbits about Archimedes and the history of the inventions. I liked the various formats for practicing and quizzing the information, and that the app allows learners to choose the format for their activities, or has an option to mix up the formats at random. It was nice to see that completed quizzes were offered an evaluation after everything was finished.

The app could be improved by offering a simple record keeping system for multiple users. That way, it would be far more useful in a classroom setting. The math equations introduce terms likely unfamiliar to most middle school students, including Newtons and Joules, which should be explained in greater detail. Most readers would benefit from highlighted vocabulary words and a glossary, as well. The app also lost a point on its Education rating due to the grammar issues noted in the Quality summary.

Entertainment

EasyLearn Simple Machines is simple, but engaging. There aren’t too many bells and whistles that will really impress the users, but there is a lot of value in the clean, simple interface, the clear and colorful graphics and pictures, and the creative interactive features. Students will be willing to use the application to master the material because it is fun, and they will learn what they need to learn.

Value

All in all, this app is a good value for the $2.99 price tag. It offers important information in a format that students are likely to enjoy, and will be engaging for most learners. A better record-keeping system would be a real asset, and better proofreading is essential.

Child Friendly

EasyLearn Simple Machines is very child-friendly for the intended audience. There are no advertisements and no links to social media. There is a link on the front page that opens the App Store to other apps from the same company, most of which are science-related and in similar format. Middle school and older students should have no problems with this application.

easyLearn Simple Machines HD
easyLearn Simple Machines HD
EasyLearn Simple Machines is an app that will teach concepts about simple machines to upper elementary, middle school and high school students. It offers three modes of use. The Learn mode presents information about simple machines and how they are used in 36 lessons. The Practice Mode offers six different types of practice, including matching, sorting and questions, as well as an assorted section that mixes up the question types. The Quiz mode offers four different formats for questions and also offers an “Assorted” option.
Quality
Education
Entertainment
Value
Child Friendly
4.2
Where to Buy