iWorld South America 1.2.8

The iWorldGeography applications have garnered recognition from educational institutions, libraries, and families across 73 countries for their robust educational value and engaging design.

Reviews highlight the apps' adherence to Montessori principles, with montessoritech.net stating, “Your iWorld apps were the first we found that we could endorse whole-heartedly … Thank you for your quality, real, Montessori apps.”

The simplicity of the iWorldGeography app has been praised by theiPhoneMom.com, noting that “... the simplicity of [iWorldGeography] means that children will be able to focus completely on the contents and they'll definitely learn the material ...” Additionally, TeachersWithApps.com commends its user-friendliness: “We love the simplicity of [iWorldGeography] and the friendly navigation system. Little kids can virtually use this app on their own and figure it all out seamlessly.”

This Montessori-based application introduces the countries, capitals, and flags of South America for 6-9-year-olds. Designed by a former Lead Developer at MIT's Center for Educational Computing Initiatives, the app features an animated introduction for each country name alongside quizzes, puzzle maps, and labeling activities.

• Active Intro - Touch a country to hear its name.
• Passive Intro - A movie introduces each country name.
• Quiz - "Ask Me" to locate a country with options to repeat or reveal answers.
• Puzzle - Drag pieces to reconstruct maps.
• Labeling - Engage in three labeling activities for countries, capitals, and flags.

The learning experience is enhanced by:

• A self-correcting quiz feature that fades in answers with audio reinforcement.
• User-controlled manipulatives allowing free movement of pins and puzzle pieces.
• A fresh challenge each session, with questions and activities presented in varied orders.
• A puzzle mechanism where pieces are scattered around the screen edges for interactive engagement.
• An option to pass on labels and control visual elements for better exploration.

The app's structure ensures:

• An increasing challenge as children progress through activities.
• Autonomy in navigation without being locked into a specific task.
• No penalties for incorrect answers; positive reinforcement ensures confidence in learning.
• A distraction-free environment focused solely on educational content.

The series aligns with the American Montessori Society curriculum with dedicated lessons available for Central America through iWorldGeography Central America on the iTunes App Store. Educators can access additional resources via classroom printouts provided in-app for hands-on activities. For updates and more information, following @tensuninteract on Twitter is encouraged.

Furthermore, iWorldGeography is available at an educational discount through Apple's Volume Discount Program for Education, enhancing accessibility for schools looking to incorporate these effective learning tools in their classrooms. The design philosophy is grounded in years of observation within a Lexington (MA) Montessori School Children's House classroom where similar desktop-based resources have been utilized successfully since 2004.