The document reviews and compares three story building apps for iPhones/iPads: StoryKit, Picturebook, and Story Maker. It provides pros and cons for each app. StoryKit is recommended because it is free, enjoyable for students to use with personal pictures, and easy for children grades 3 and up to use independently to publish written stories at no cost.

1. Language Arts Educational Apps for iPhone/iPad
Catherine Smith

2. Why use a story builder app?
 Story building software can be integrated into a
Language Arts curriculum by providing students an
alternative to writing and publishing stories on paper.
 Their ideas can generally be published into a book
format on the iPhone or iPad.
 Stories can also be created by teachers and students in
other subjects to enhance the curriculum.

3. Story Kit
Picturebook
Story Maker

4. StoryKit
Features Strongly Agree Disagree N/A
Agree
Easy for all ages, K-12, to use. X
Users can easily resume where they X
left off in the program.
The program functions well and is X
free of bugs.
The program is enjoyable to use. X
The graphic elements are meaningful X
& appropriate.
Sound can be turned on and off. X
Advanced features are easy to access X
& apply.
Menu-driven tutorials are built into X
the program.
Privacy & safeguards appropriate and X
useful.

5. Picturebook
Features Strongly Agree Disagree N/A
Agree
Easy for all ages, K-12, to use. X
Users can easily resume where they X
left off in the program.
The program functions well and is X
free of bugs.
The program is enjoyable to use. X
The graphic elements are meaningful X
& appropriate.
Sound can be turned on and off. X
Advanced features are easy to access X
& apply.
Menu-driven tutorials are built into X
the program.
Privacy & safeguards appropriate and X
useful.

6. Story Maker
Features Strongly Agree Disagree N/A
Agree
Easy for all ages to use. X
Users can easily resume where they X
left off in the program.
The program functions well and is X
free of bugs.
The program is enjoyable to use. X
The graphic elements are meaningful X
& appropriate.
Sound can be turned on and off. X
Advanced features are easy to access X
& apply.
Menu-driven tutorials are built into X
the program.
Privacy & safeguards appropriate for X
all children.

7. StoryKit
Pros Cons
 Free.  No pictures or images provided.
 Easy to navigate. Must be uploaded by user.
 Sample books to read and use as a  Not all buttons use pictures.
template. User must be able to read.
 Upload photographs and personal  No sound effects provided. They
pictures. cannot be uploaded. Must be
 Includes self-recorded sound. recorded and saved.
 Paint feature limited. Only
 Text easy to write or delete.
allows user to draw one diagonal
 Spellcheck features. line (may be bug).
 Easily edited.  Page order not easily edited.
 “Bookshelf” to show all created  Anyone with access to the device
books to go back and look at. can edit the books. No password
 Share story on the StoryKit online capabilities for multiple users on
server which provides a private the same software.
web address.  Sharing feature slow to upload.

8. Picturebook
Pros Cons
 Free.  Buttons do not always load which
 Easy to navigate with simple makes navigation difficult.
buttons.  Does not have spellcheck.
 Sample books to read and use as a  Limited clip art included.
template.  To change from the basic look
 Includes a “How to” storybook. and pictures, you must access
 Visually looks like a book with and pay from the store.
pages that turn.  Must be connected to the
 Different clip art to choose from. Internet to access pictures.
 Clip art can be animated.  Shared stories have to be
 Uses copy/paste functions. downloaded to access.
 Downloading can be time
 Sharing online options.
consuming.

9. Story Maker
Pros Cons
 Free  Pre-made stories are not free.
 Pre-made stories can be used  Limited character appearances; no
and edited. changing of skin colors.
 Can select what the character  Limited backgrounds.
will look like and wear.
 Only 5 characters can be used in a story.
 Includes accessories for the
characters.  No spellcheck.
 Can send via e-mail.  Unable to print currently.
 Can save to camera roll on  Offers story-pack and papercraft options
device. but not available currently.
 Backgrounds are changeable.  Unattractive characters.
 Advertising aimed at parents,  Story uses only one page; cannot create a
not children.
book.
 Long to load.
 Uses advertising.

10. Recommendation
 I recommend StoryKit for a few reasons:
It is free. A reliable program that can be used in a
classroom that is free is beneficial not only to the teachers
but the school district as well.
It is enjoyable. Adding personal pictures to create a
story can really encourage imagination and make the
creation process fun.
It is easy to use. Though children in lower grades would
need a bit of guidance, this program can be used
independently for children in grades 3 and up.
Children can use this software effectively to publish
stories that they have written. For no cost, it is an asset to
the Language Arts curriculum.