Record Their Stories

Review

Common Sense Media says

Good way to gather family folklore, build interview skills.
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
 
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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Record Their Stories is a handy tool that encourages kids to interview family members about their lives, but the optional professional editing service is costly. To prepare for an interview, users select questions or write their own and review the 10 tips for interviewing. Kids can then record using their device's microphone while the questions are displayed. Kids can trim the length of the recording and add to it, then convert the recording for sharing in iTunes. Users can also upload the recording to be produced into an audio documentary with music (for $160); parts of the recording may then be shared publicly. Most of the instructions are provided on the website and video, not within the app.

  • Ease of use3
    Instructions are not really included within the app, but are instead provided on the website with a thorough FAQ and a kid-led, step-by-step video. The video makes some parts of the process, like selecting questions, very clear, but does not review in detail some other aspects, like reordering questions or adding your own. The list of questions can be emailed from within the app. There are little to no instructions for using the editing tool, which users can use to trim the beginning or end of a recording, or add audio.  Audio recordings can be uploaded for professional production or converted to be shared using iTunes.
  • Violence0
    One of the provided questions is "what did you do in the war?"
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism2
    Optional professional production includes editing and adding music to create an audio "documentary" for $160. Users are required to sign off on the terms and conditions before uploading, but the price tag is not explicit within the app, so kids might miss it. However, users will receive an order form via email to confirm the order before paying, and it is possible to use and enjoy this app without the professional production service.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety3
    Some privacy concerns. If audio recordings are uploaded for professional production (which is optional), Record Their Stories retains the right to share them publicly. 
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Is it any good?

 

This is a pretty good tool for helping kids interview family members for school projects or just for fun. The long list of questions helps show kids that there's a lot to learn about their families; with parent help, the list can inspire kids to use their imaginations and creativity to develop their own questions. The audio editing tool is a bit confusing and limited, which makes the professional production look appealing -- just make sure that uploading and ordering the audio documentary is a deliberate choice. Otherwise, users can enjoy the ability to save and share recordings on iTunes.

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This review was written by Liz Panarelli

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This review was written by Liz Panarelli
Category:Lifestyle
Platforms:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Price:$.99
Size:4.10 MB
Publisher:Fresh Air Production
Version:1.0.0
Release date:December 3, 2011
Minimum software requirements:iOS 4.0 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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