As the iPad celebrates its first birthday, we thought what better time to take a look at the Educational Apps market. Few predicted at launch just how successful this device would be.

But it is not just tablets that have had a good year, 2010 saw smartphones no longer being the toys of early adopters but firmly mass market devices with a variety of makes and models to choose from. 

Throughout 2010 many column inches and internet forums were filled with speculation regarding how these devices may be the solution that publishers were looking to effectively monetise digital content. However as we enter 2011 it is clear that the introduction of these devices has created as many new challenges and questions as they have solved old ones, especially as the lines between web, app and print products become increasingly blurred.

Those companies that will have the potential to greatly succeed expectations of ROI are those that are able to imagine solutions to their customers problems in ways that may not be expected and crucially, to provide magic within these learning experience. To create powerful app content, publishers need to be savvy in spotting these opportunities for magic alongside the business logic that publishers have been employing for years.

This is the first of two white papers that looks at the challenges facing publishers looking to enter the apps marketplace. This paper, part 1, explores the challenges and changes facing publishers looking to enter this marketplace, and highlights the opportunities and solutions available to them. Part two looks in more detail at successful apps in the marketplace and details case studies from those publishers producing them. 

Magic and Logic - developing apps for the educational market 

If you are considering developing educational apps, Shift Learning may be able to assist you by helping you to clearly understand your customers' preferences, informing pricing & business models decisions or testing the usability of your apps. To find out more contact Helene Moran by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone on 0207 253 8959.

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