I have downloaded many of the free apps that they have rated 4 or 5 stars.
Recently a free app called FotoFarm was submitted by a reviewer and was rated 5/5 stars. It was said to use the strictest setting offered on Google SafeSearch to block unacceptable images when students are looking for pictures.
I thought this would be great for my daughter and downloaded it onto my iPad. While she was in another room, I tried it out. My first search resulted in appropriate images so I proceeded to search again. My next two searches came up with some results not suitable for children. I then deleted the app and shared my findings with both IEAR and the reviewer.
I went back today to see if anything had come about from my comment. I found that IEAR took the review down all together and the reviewer updated her review to reflect this new information, giving FotoFarm 1/5 stars. You can read her review here.
My reason for writing about this is not to point fingers. I recommend IEAR.org and many of their reviews come from this reviewer. I think it was just an oversight and I am glad she corrected her review and left it up for others to see.
My reason for writing this is to remind myself (and others) of the importance of a thorough review. Every time I receive a product, I make sure I use it as much as possible before the review is due to be published. If I do not have a set deadline, sometimes I don't post a review for many weeks, just so I can get good use of it. I never write "informational" reviews, unless that is what the vendor requests.
So I hope this article has shed light on a few things. For one, maybe you have found a new educational app review site that you end up loving like I do. Secondly, don't just take one person's opinion of something as fact...shop around and read many reviews to get a good feel for a product. And lastly, as much as I love reviewing products, I take it seriously and hope that is portrayed in my reviews. :)
2 comments:
Very good points. There are a lot of book reviewers out in the blogging world as well that will get a book and quickly write a review of the book. Perhaps they just want to get another book fast. Either way, the reviews are often "informational", what you find on teh back of the book.
I hadn't heard of (or perhaps I didn't pay enough attention to your previous posts wink) IEAR.org but am off to check it out. That is if my internet will work right!!
I don't think I posted about IEAR before. It's a good site though. And yes, you are right about the books...or maybe I'm just a slow reader...lol!
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