As any parent with an iPhone or an iPod Touch knows, mobile apps (手机软件) can be an engaging and entertaining experience for kids. Now, a new study of PBS Kids suggests that the experience can be an educational one as well.
The study, which was administered by PBS under a grant from the Department of Education, first tested the vocabulary level of a group of 90 Title 1 school children, aged 3 to 7. Then, the children were each given two weeks with an iPod Touch loaded with the Martha Speaks Dog Party app created by PBS Kids.
The study monitored how the children used the iPod, during what hours, and in what context. On average, the study found that kids played with the iPod Touch for a total of 5 hours across the two weeks, with half that time spent playing the Martha Speaks app. At the end of the two week trial, the children were given another vocabulary test, which revealed an increase in vocabulary acquisition by as much as 31 per cent.
The study findings are particularly useful as smart phones and mobile devices have become increasingly popular among families and parents are faced with a proliferation of mobile apps designed for kids. According to a recent Nielsen study, smart phone usage is 12% higher in households with children than other households.
“Mobile apps can be a great learning tool in the hands of children,” said Lesli Rotenberg, SVP, Children’s Media, PBS. “This research is important in helping to better understand and guide the development of new apps that improve the value of children’s screen time with significant educational outcomes.”
So what does it all mean? Well, at the very least it will help parents get over that guilty feeling when they hand over their iPhone or iPod Touch for a little peace and quiet. At best, it provides more evidence that mobile devices and apps do indeed have educational value and could be an important part of the child-learning process for many years to come.
小题1:What Lesli Rotenberg said in the fifth paragraph suggests that .
A．he has a positive attitude towards mobile apps
B．he thinks children should never use smart phones
C．he is doubtful about mobile apps designed for children
D．he thinks parents should be careful with mobile apps for children小题2:The underlined sentence in the last paragraph implies that .
A．parents will feel more comfortable giving kids iPhone or iPod Touch
B．parents will know what kind of mobile phones are suitable for kids
C．parents will know what children do with mobile phones
D．parents can watch over their children now and then小题3:What would be the best title of the text?
A．The popularity of smart phones among kids
B．The entertaining function of smart phones
C．Smart phones make kids learn more.
D．It’s too early for kids to use smart phones
