HowStuffWorks for iPad

Review

Common Sense Media says

Popular, trusted resource covers mature topics responsibly.
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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Learning4
Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning : Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that while HowStuffWorks for iPad covers mature themes -- violence, sex, racial issues, alcohol, drugs, and smoking -- it's a trusted educational resource that handles the subject matter responsibly. That said, moms and dads will need to decide whether they want their young kids accessing this information. Versions of the app are also available for the iPhone and Android phones.

  • Ease of use4
    The app is very easy to navigate, with large icons to tap, a handy search window, and swipe-to-turn pages.
  • Violence3
    Some articles and videos contain violent content. For example, a Discovery video about a Glendale apartment building shootout warns: "This program contains content that may be disturbing to some viewers. Parental discretion is advised." There are also videos about Al Capone, domestic violence, violent video games, and more.
  • Sex3
    There is a lot of sexual content to read about in this app, but it's all approached from an educational and often scientific perspective. Articles from DiscoveryHealth and American Baby discuss sexual intercourse and oral sex. A "Stuff you should know" piece is on gender reassignment. There's a sex quiz, "intro to sex education" and "underage sex" articles, how "animals have sex" factoids, and so on.
  • Language2
    The words "damn" and "hell" can be seen here. An audio podcast about "swearing at work" has many bleeped out words.
  • Consumerism3
    This app is based on content available at HowStuffWorks.com, plus a number of Discovery Channel videos. There are also banner advertisements at the bottom of the screen.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking4
    There is content about smoking, drinking alcohol, and doing illicit drugs. The app is an educational resource, and the content is not unlike content you might find in a public library. Article topics range from "Why some athletes use drugs" and "What is a rave?" to "What do I do if my teen is doing drugs" to "How does your body digest a cigarette?"
  • Privacy & safety4
    Minor privacy concerns. Players can opt in to Apple’s Game Center to track scores and achievements, and for some games, challenge friends. With Game Center, players can send and receive friend requests using an email address or Game Center nickname, revealing the first and last name associated with each party’s Apple ID and, in the case of email requests, the sender’s email address. There are also connections to social media with in the app, but participation is optional.
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What kids can learn

4

Kids can learn just about anything with this massive collection of articles, videos, and audio podcasts totaling more than 40,000 pieces of content. Along with the breadth of content, there's considerable depth, which can help foster a more meaningful understanding of concepts -- be it how space tourism works, what the five most mysterious monuments in the world are, or how Olympic torches work. A little more interactivity would be nice, but what's there (quizzes, etc.) is engaging. From astronomy to zoology, this app goes deep into the subjects curious kids want to explore.

Subjects
  • Science
    astronomy, electricity, geology
  • Social Studies
  • Arts
    music, photography, singing
  • Hobbies
    cooking, gardening, sports
Skills
  • Thinking & Reasoning
    applying information, collecting data, thinking critically
  • Creativity
  • Self-Direction
    academic development, identifying strengths and weaknesses, personal growth
  • Emotional Development
  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Responsibility & Ethics
  • Tech Skills
    social media, using and applying technology
  • Health & Fitness
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What's it about?

HowStuffWorks for iPad is a huge and reliable resource on -- yep, you guessed it -- how stuff works. It covers virtually every topic, from technology and spirituality to cooking and investing to science and automotive information. Similar to the website but easier to navigate, the app allows users to simply use their fingertip to select the desired subject matter and article of interest. Kids can also watch videos, listen to audio podcasts, and take quizzes that test what they’ve learned.

Is it any good?

 

HOWSTUFFWORKS -– already a popular and trusted Web resource and TV series -- is now optimized for the iPad. Use your fingertips to swipe through more than 40,000 articles -- ranging from "Five home repairs you should know how to do" to "How great white sharks work" -- along with many thousands of videos, podcasts, quizzes, fast facts, famous quotes, and more.

This collection of diverse topics should also be a goldmine for students. Every article lets you tag it as a favorite, adjust font size, share it (through email, Facebook, or Twitter) or wirelessly print the piece. Shows and video podcasts, which can play full-screen (but not in high-definition), load quickly and run smoothly -- but as you'd expect, a fast online connection is required to view this content. Internet access (3G or Wi-Fi) is also needed for articles. Those who'd like to have immediate access to a wealth of knowledge, offering incredible breadth and depth, will find this free, ad-supported app a gem.

This review of HowStuffWorks for iPad was written by

What kids can learn

4

Kids can learn just about anything with this massive collection of articles, videos, and audio podcasts totaling more than 40,000 pieces of content. Along with the breadth of content, there's considerable depth, which can help foster a more meaningful understanding of concepts -- be it how space tourism works, what the five most mysterious monuments in the world are, or how Olympic torches work. A little more interactivity would be nice, but what's there (quizzes, etc.) is engaging. From astronomy to zoology, this app goes deep into the subjects curious kids want to explore.

Subjects
  • Language & Reading: discussion, reading, vocabulary
  • Math: arithmetic, money, statistics
  • Science: astronomy, electricity, geology
  • Social Studies:
  • Arts: music, photography, singing
  • Hobbies: cooking, gardening, sports
Skills
  • Thinking & Reasoning: applying information, collecting data, thinking critically
  • Creativity:
  • Self-Direction: academic development, identifying strengths and weaknesses, personal growth
  • Emotional Development:
  • Communication:
  • Collaboration:
  • Responsibility & Ethics:
  • Tech Skills: social media, using and applying technology
  • Health & Fitness:

What's it about?

HowStuffWorks for iPad is a huge and reliable resource on -- yep, you guessed it -- how stuff works. It covers virtually every topic, from technology and spirituality to cooking and investing to science and automotive information. Similar to the website but easier to navigate, the app allows users to simply use their fingertip to select the desired subject matter and article of interest. Kids can also watch videos, listen to audio podcasts, and take quizzes that test what they’ve learned.

How kids will learn

Kids will learn information by reading accurate, well-written articles; viewing photos; watching video shows and podcasts; listening to audio podcasts; and taking quizzes that test knowledge about a particular subject. The subjects covered are vast and relevant. Kids control the experience by tapping, swiping, and flicking through articles to find and navigate through the content.

How parents can help

  • Encourage kids to write their own mock HowStuffWorks article on a subject matter they're knowledgeable in, or help them research and fact-check information.
  • Monitor young kids' use of the app. Some info might not be appropriate for them, as topics include drugs, lock-picking, sex, and real-world violence (such as serial killers).
This review of HowStuffWorks for iPad was written by

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This review of HowStuffWorks for iPad was written by
Category:Entertainment
Platforms:iPad
Price:Free
Size:31.40 MB
Version:1.0.1
Release date:August 3, 2011
Minimum software requirements:iOS 4.2 or later
This review of HowStuffWorks for iPad was written by

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