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Exploring the Potential of Smartphone Applications as Educational Tools in the Ecology Teaching-Learning Process

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Title: Exploring the Potential of Smartphone Applications as Educational Tools in the Ecology Teaching-Learning Process
Language: English
Authors: Lucimara Lessa dos Santos (ORCID 0009-0004-1493-7053), Maria Lenilda Caetano França (ORCID 0000-0001-8205-3795), David Gadelha da Costa (ORCID 0000-0003-2926-9065), Guilherme Ramos Demetrio (ORCID 0000-0002-6481-1633)
Source: Discover Education. 2025 4.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Handheld Devices, Telecommunications, Computer Oriented Programs, Technology Uses in Education, Technology Integration, Ecology, Environmental Education, Teaching Methods, Foreign Countries, Reference Materials, Games, Electronic Publishing, Books, Recycling, National Curriculum, Alignment (Education), Electronic Learning, Educational Technology
Geographic Terms: Brazil
DOI: 10.1007/s44217-025-00615-2
ISSN: 2731-5525
Abstract: The integration of digital technology into education offers new avenues to enhance Ecology education by addressing resource limitations and fostering student engagement. This study examines the potential of smartphone applications as didactic tools for teaching Ecology in Brazilian basic education. Through a targeted search on the Google Play Store, we identified 290 apps, of which only 29 met the criteria for Ecology-focused education. These apps were categorized by type (e.g., games, e-books) and evaluated for pedagogical value, technical quality, and interactivity using an established assessment protocol. The analysis revealed a limited number of high-quality apps, with scores ranging from 39 to 88 (mean = 67.36, SD = 12.23). Most apps were reference materials, followed by games and e-books. A word cloud analysis revealed that "biomes" was the most frequently addressed theme, followed by topics like Brazilian ecosystems, recycling, and ecological interactions, aligning with the Brazilian National Common Curricular Base. No significant correlations were found between app type, download volume, and quality, suggesting that app quality does not necessarily correlate with popularity. Our findings highlight the need for more diverse, high-quality applications to support Ecology education, emphasizing the potential of digital tools to assist teachers and enhance student learning.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1475046
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Exploring the Potential of Smartphone Applications as Educational Tools in the Ecology Teaching-Learning Process
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lucimara+Lessa+dos+Santos%22">Lucimara Lessa dos Santos</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0009-0004-1493-7053">0009-0004-1493-7053</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Maria+Lenilda+Caetano+França%22">Maria Lenilda Caetano França</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8205-3795">0000-0001-8205-3795</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22David+Gadelha+da+Costa%22">David Gadelha da Costa</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2926-9065">0000-0003-2926-9065</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Guilherme+Ramos+Demetrio%22">Guilherme Ramos Demetrio</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6481-1633">0000-0002-6481-1633</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Discover+Education%22"><i>Discover Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 4.
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  Data: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Handheld+Devices%22">Handheld Devices</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Telecommunications%22">Telecommunications</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Oriented+Programs%22">Computer Oriented Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Uses+in+Education%22">Technology Uses in Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Integration%22">Technology Integration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ecology%22">Ecology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Environmental+Education%22">Environmental Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Methods%22">Teaching Methods</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reference+Materials%22">Reference Materials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Games%22">Games</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electronic+Publishing%22">Electronic Publishing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Books%22">Books</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Recycling%22">Recycling</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22National+Curriculum%22">National Curriculum</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Alignment+%28Education%29%22">Alignment (Education)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electronic+Learning%22">Electronic Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Technology%22">Educational Technology</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Brazil%22">Brazil</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1007/s44217-025-00615-2
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  Data: 2731-5525
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  Data: The integration of digital technology into education offers new avenues to enhance Ecology education by addressing resource limitations and fostering student engagement. This study examines the potential of smartphone applications as didactic tools for teaching Ecology in Brazilian basic education. Through a targeted search on the Google Play Store, we identified 290 apps, of which only 29 met the criteria for Ecology-focused education. These apps were categorized by type (e.g., games, e-books) and evaluated for pedagogical value, technical quality, and interactivity using an established assessment protocol. The analysis revealed a limited number of high-quality apps, with scores ranging from 39 to 88 (mean = 67.36, SD = 12.23). Most apps were reference materials, followed by games and e-books. A word cloud analysis revealed that "biomes" was the most frequently addressed theme, followed by topics like Brazilian ecosystems, recycling, and ecological interactions, aligning with the Brazilian National Common Curricular Base. No significant correlations were found between app type, download volume, and quality, suggesting that app quality does not necessarily correlate with popularity. Our findings highlight the need for more diverse, high-quality applications to support Ecology education, emphasizing the potential of digital tools to assist teachers and enhance student learning.
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  Data: 2025
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        Value: 10.1007/s44217-025-00615-2
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Handheld Devices
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