If Kids Designed The Tools

Speak Up—Project Tomorrow’s annual survey of educators, parents, and kids—asked students from kindergarten through 12th grade one simple question: “If you could create the ideal mobile app for learning, what would it look like?”

  • By THE Journal Staff
  • 11/04/11

Students of every age have their own ideas about things…and they certainly have their own ideas about the best ways to learn. Speak Up--Project Tomorrow’s annual survey of educators, parents, and kids--asked students from kindergarten through 12th grade one simple question: “If you could create the ideal mobile app for learning, what would it look like?”

Researchers received more than 200,000 responses. For our November issue, T.H.E. editors sifted through the entries and came up with 15 that vividly speak to the power of mobile technologies to transport a child’s learning experience. Artists and illustrators took the children’s words and brought them to colorful life.

Below are 5 of the 15 entries. For the complete list, view our digital edition.



1. O Solo Mio
“I would create an app that would help students with music education. The app would include music history and sound bytes from famous composers. It would have songs that kids can jam out to and work on their singing or instrument playing.”
Girl,Grade 8
North Carolina Virtual Public School
Raleigh, NC



2. The Real Thing
“Some students have hard times with subjects, but they don't want to ask teachers. This app would let them watch videos or talk to real professionals about the subjects they're learning in school.”
Girl, Grade 6
Robert C. Fisler Elementary School
Fullerton, CA

3. iMu-see-'em
“This app is at once a virtual planner, information database, and textbook archive. It includes a three-dimensional model viewer for referencing subjects, like various works of art.
Boy, Grade 8
Bayshore Middle School
Middletown, NJ



4. Just Learn It
“My mobile app would be based on the Nike Fitness App, but have a 'folder' for the courses the student currently takes. It would also have a weekly depiction of how the student is reacting to what he is learning.”
Girl, Grade 10
Jasper High School
Plano, TX


5. The Past Speaks to Us
“This game will let you choose famous people who were teachers from the past. Then they will tell you some of the smartest facts they know.”
Girl, Grade 2
North Ranch Elementary School
Scottsdale, AZ

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