The theme for the United Nation’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty this year is to ‘think, decide and act together against extreme poverty’ so we’ve compiled a list of five learning apps that are working towards this purpose and making a positive impact on the world.

Mobile apps are increasingly popular because they allow learners to tap into on-demand, bite sized and just in time learning both wherever and whenever they want to.

The apps we want to highlight stick out because they deliver short, relevant pieces of information that either create awareness of the daily struggles faced by those in poverty or else provide users with the information they need to make informed decisions:

1.    My Life as a Refugee

This app is developed by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and allows learners to gain an insight into the dilemmas and difficulties faced by refugees. The learner adopts the role of either Amika, Paulo or Merita, gets to hear their story and has to make quick fire decisions on how to deal with unfolding events. Using gamification, storytelling and problem-based learning, this highly interactive app educates learners on the complex and dangerous situations faced by refugees and hopefully provokes them to take action.

2.    One Today

In a world where there are an overwhelming amount of good causes and charities to support, One Today educates and connects its users with one good cause each day. By including an element of social sharing, One Today allows the philanthropically minded to quickly and easily share new knowledge and findings with their family and friends.

3.    instead

Many people would like to give more to charity but don’t know where to start or what their money could be used for. There is a disconnection between the money in people’s wallets and an understanding of the impact it could have on the world. The instead app provides learners with information on what their money is worth in terms of aid. For example, by cooking at home three times instead of eating out, it’s possible to save enough money to provide HIV medication for one person for three months. By equipping learners with this valuable information, this brilliant app allows them to make decisions and engage with issues that previously seemed distant or difficult to understand.

4.    Save the Children Earthquake Response

Save the Children have been working in disaster relief since 1919 and designed the Earthquake Response app to educate learners on what the priorities and objectives are when they respond to a disaster. The app allows the user to take the place of an aid worker in the aftermath of a disaster. By educating users on the practical and life-saving work they do, they are able to communicate better with sponsors and attract new donors.

5.    DataFinder Apps

The World Bank have developed a series of apps packed with extensive and reputable data on world poverty, health, jobs, climate change and much more. These apps allow users access to a previously unimaginable repository of information that they can dip in and out of and use on an informal learning basis. Having such important information on such an accessible platform means that the global community is now able to be more informed and take more action on justice and inequality issues than ever before.

According to Cisco’s 2013 global mobile data forecast, there are almost as many mobile devices (7 billion) as there are humans on the planet! Because of this, the potential for learning apps in global development is both exciting and potential filled.

Learning apps are now becoming widely adopted across every sector. However, in the charity and development sector where creating awareness and sharing information is intrinsic to receiving support and engaging with live issues, learning apps really are a practical and tangible way of addressing and overcoming global issues. Mobile learning apps present a promising opportunity to ‘think, decide and act together against extreme poverty’.

Please let us know your comments or share with others who you think may benefit from this. Follow us on twitter @aurionlearning or visit www.aurionlearning.com for our latest blog articles and updates.