Back in Time

Review

Common Sense Media says

Gorgeous textbook of 44 major events has universal appeal.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Back in Time is an engaging book app that strives to present major events throughout history in an engaging way. A clock metaphor is used to show the time relation between these events -- if the universe started 24 hours ago, human evolution started 16 seconds ago. Users can move the hands on a clock back to a specific period of time, which is then displayed on a graphical timeline of history's major events. Tapping on one of the events brings the user to an information page, with several paragraphs of text about the event, several pictures that can be enlarged, an occasional video, and often an entertaining animation. The app reflects the violence in animal and human existence, but not in a gory or sensational way, and there are a few nude paintings. The app is captured well in this trailer. A similar app by the same name is available for the iPhone.

  • Ease of use3
    The main menu contains an introduction to the app's purpose as well as diagrams that give basic instructions on how to access various pictures and information. Still, it takes some practice to get used to navigating between the clock, the graphic timeline of events, and the information pages. A few animations also guide users to discover the app's features. In addition to English, the app can be displayed in French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Chinese. The music can only be disabled in the device's settings menu.
  • Violence2
    This app is not explicitly bloody or gory, but its text and photos reflect the violence in animal and human history. Animal survival and extinction are detailed in a scientific manner, and there is a video of Venus flytraps consuming insects. Ancient and human wars are described and accompanied by photos of weapons, soldiers, and boots from victims at Auschwitz.
  • Sex3
    There are a few pictures of artistic nudes, including Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" and Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam."
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
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Is it any good?

 

This app does an excellent job achieving its purpose -- to convey a sense of the content and scope of history in an accessible and engaging way. The clock and graphic timeline are really fun to use, and the animations and pictures enliven the text. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring this app, which exudes a sense of scientific discovery and curiosity about the still unanswered questions. Of course, in the style of textbooks, this app does not include citations for its facts, so parents may want to discuss this with kids and use the app as a launching point for more research.

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This review was written by Liz Panarelli

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This review was written by Liz Panarelli
Topics:dinosaurs, history, science and nature, space and aliens
Category:Education
Platforms:iPad
Price:$7.99
Size:556.00 MB
Publisher:Landka
Version:1.2
Release date:December 2, 2011
Minimum software requirements:iOS 4.3 or later
This review was written by Liz Panarelli

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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