Apps4Kids

Project Title:

Apps4Kids – Evaluation of Learning Apps for Enhancing Children's Competencies

Type and Funding:

Research project, internal funding, and funding by Edurino

Duration:

04/2024 – 09/2025

Project Participants at the Chair:

• Prof. Dr. Frank Niklas
• Prof. Dr. Astrid Wirth (University of Vienna)
• Öykü Camligüney
• Tina Schiele
• María Valcárcel Jiménez

Project Description:

Early numerical, linguistic, and socio-emotional competencies are crucial for children's later academic and social success. However, studies show that children differ in these competencies from an early age. Especially children who receive only limited support at home for various reasons do not reach their optimal competence level.

The research project Apps4Kids investigates the effectiveness of specially designed learning apps in promoting numerical, linguistic, and socio-emotional skills. The goal is to evaluate the specific effects of these apps on the development of children's fundamental competencies. To achieve this, an intervention study will be conducted in kindergartens, where children will participate in regular training sessions (twice a week) over four weeks, using either the numerical, linguistic, or socio-emotional learning app.

The participating children will be randomly assigned to one of the three conditions. Their numerical, linguistic, and socio-emotional skills will be tested before and after the intervention phase to examine the specific effects of each app on competence development. Additionally, parents will be surveyed about the home learning environment regarding numerical, linguistic, and emotional aspects. Children's socio-emotional competencies will be assessed by both parents and educators.

This project makes an important contribution to the evidence-based development of digital learning tools for early childhood education and examines whether and how learning apps can be specifically used to promote numerical, linguistic, and socio-emotional skills.

Research Question:

The aim of this research project is to investigate the specific effectiveness of numerical, linguistic, and socio-emotional learning apps and their influence on children's competence development. It is expected that regular learning with specific apps will lead to greater numerical, linguistic, and socio-emotional skills.