Wot No PD?: Children Using Apps Without Instructions

In today's digital age, children are growing up in a world filled with smartphones, tablets, and a myriad of apps designed to educate, entertain, and connect. As technology becomes an integral part of their lives, children are often faced with the challenge of using apps without explicit instructions. While this might seem like a daunting prospect, it can actually be a valuable learning experience that promotes problem-solving, creativity, and digital literacy.

The Digital Natives: Adapting Naturally

Children of today are often referred to as "digital natives" because of their innate ability to navigate digital platforms intuitively. While adults might feel overwhelmed by new apps and their functionalities, kids tend to approach them with a sense of curiosity and fearlessness. This fearless exploration is the first step towards using apps without instructions.

At TeachOatcake, we asked a class of children to listen to a guest speaker and take some notes using Apple's Freeform App. None of them had used Freeform before and yet were quickly able to use a number of different formats to take notes. When asked, the majority responded that this was due to the icons, which seemed obvious to them.

The students notes included:

• Images

• Photographs that they took of the speaker

• Text notes

• Video that they filmed of the speaker

• Sticky notes,

• Shapes and arrows

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

When children are presented with an app's interface, they are encouraged to experiment, press buttons, and observe the outcomes. This process naturally cultivates problem-solving skills and critical thinking. As they attempt to figure out the app's features and functions, they learn to make connections between actions and results. This hands-on learning not only helps them understand the app but also enhances their ability to tackle challenges in other areas of life.

Promoting Creativity and Imagination

Apps without instructions can be like blank canvases waiting to be filled with a child's creativity. When children are left to explore an app on their own, they often come up with innovative ways to interact with it. This could involve using tools in unintended ways, combining features for unique outcomes, or even creating their own mini-games within the app. Unrestricted exploration fosters imagination and empowers children to think beyond the conventional uses of technology.

Building Digital Literacy

One of the greatest skills children can gain from using apps without instructions is digital literacy. This encompasses a wide range of abilities, including understanding user interfaces, deciphering symbols, and grasping the logic behind app structures. These skills not only help children navigate new apps effortlessly but also lay the foundation for their future encounters with various technologies.

Fostering Independence and Self-Reliance

As children venture into the world of apps without explicit guidance, they become more self-reliant learners. They realise that they have the capacity to tackle challenges independently and that learning doesn't always require a teacher or a manual. This sense of empowerment can boost their self-esteem and encourage them to take initiative in other aspects of their lives as well. When asked "What can go wrong?", a number of the students explained that they cannot break anything that they could just start again if they got stuck. This flexible thinking is something that some educators need to work on themselves.

Children using apps without instructions is not just about navigating technology. It's a journey that enhances problem-solving, creativity, digital literacy, and independence. The digital playground offers endless opportunities for young minds to grow and learn through hands-on experimentation. As educators, our role is to encourage and facilitate this exploration, ensuring that children make the most of the digital tools at their disposal.