Peer Review

STUDYBLUE App for iOS

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Reviewed:: Mar 4, 2013 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: STUDYBLUE updates the low-tech flashcard into a slick and organized interface and gives users the ability to review concepts and notes without all of the clutter of traditional index cards. Additionally, as an upgrade to traditional text flash cards, users can embed pictures and audio into cards, set alerts to remind you when to study, and use social media features to share and comment on the cards of fellow classmates. Cards can be created and used on an iOS device or on a computer.
Type of Material:: App for iOS can be used on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Recommended Uses:: While the process of using flash cards is often a solitary activity, STUDYBLUE makes it simple for students to collaborate on the design of flashcards. This app would be ideal for instructors to use to create flash cards for their students, or for students to work alone and in small groups to create cards on their own.
Technical Requirements:: The Apple website states that it is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later. However, all of the features are fully functional with the internet as a web browser.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Users are able to design flash cards using text or multimedia, and then study from those cards on a mobile device. They can then analyze their results and hone in on content that they may need to review further.
Target Student Population:: K-12 instructors, Post-secondary instructors, Pre-service teachers Useful for anyone who wants to use study tools to help master content.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: A basic understanding of how to download and launch iOS apps.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The traditional user process of creating flashcards has been masterfully converted into an easy-to-use app. Learner engagement is supported with a streamlined interface and well-appointed animations.
Concerns:: The basic process of creating cards is clear, but there still should be some sort of explanation of all that the app can do built into the app itself. Much of that information, to include some of the exciting ways that the app can be used, are only available on their website.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:: The beauty of the STUDYBLUE app is that it can be utilized for a wide variety of disciplines and grade levels without any sort of modifications. Even better, it can be given to students to use on their own or collaboratively for both planned and informal learning. The grading system and the slick interface for choosing which cards to review encourage students with what might even be considered game-based motivation. With the integration of social sharing, users have the ability to compete against their peers (and themselves) to earn a high score.
Concerns:: Having examples present in the app to show some featured cards created by other users would help to both explain what the app can do, but also how to best use the app for academic success.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:: The flashcards are very easy to use. Students can choose either the term and flip to the definition or start with the definition and flip to the term. They can share with peers by sending a link via email with just one click. Flashcards are easily created via keyboard input and images can also be incorporated.
Concerns:: It seemed as if Studyblue wanted me to create an account using my Facebook log on and steered me in that direction by making the Facebook icon very large and the directions to “do it by longhand” (use my own email) were in a very light color and very small. If the user logs in with their Facebook account, they will be prompted to let Studyblue know their location, and have permission to post on their behalf, although it does seem as though you can choose the option of “private” for materials you create. Also Studyblue requests the user add their school “so that they can access materials more easily”. We have a concern about how much information Studyblue might be collecting. In creating large amounts of cards, merging groups of cards and organizing the folders can become cumbersome. This is an app that works well on its own, but is aided by time spent organizing your notes beforehand. There are many tricks and tips worth learning to make the user process a good one, but most of these are only available on the website under an extremely small link on the bottom of the screen.

Other Issues and Comments:: Although this review is for iOS devices, this app can be used on the computer and on various Android and tablet devices as well.
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