Tapestry Journal

Really have enjoyed this app throughout my little ones time in early years education. It’s a great way to see what they’re up to and communicate with teachers and parents. My child loves looking back at what they’ve done as we go through the journal entries together. The most recent update for the app however is shockingly bad. Not easy to use. No more notifications section, the app just opens on the last page you were on so you’re not actually able to see what entries have been made and by who, you just need to go through and hope you don’t miss anything. Another thing is I now have to log in EVERY TIME I use the app which is honestly a real pain. I thought the whole point of an app was somewhere you’re logged in and is easier to use. Such a great app but such a poor update. Takes the user experience from a 10 to a 3. Hopefully they change it back or are in the process of making it better and more user friendly.

I love tapestry! The features it provides for practitioners is amazing, exactly what every setting needs. Learning journals, send framework, day diary’s, 2 year progress checks and summative assessments, just naming some of them. However, the app limits you from soooo much! You can only upload observations, which is quick and easy, I admit. But if you could add a day diary on there and progress checks, it means my staff can also have a quick and efficient way of uploading other reports. As you know it is difficult to find time to do these, so convenience is the key. I am finding easy paper tools which are not environmentally friendly to offer my staff the easiest way to document, which needs to be fit into their crazy day of nappy changing, snacks and craft activities. The app would be perfect if there was an extra drop down.

I’ve just started using this app which my my daughters school uses, thinking this would be great for when I’m at work and commuting etc. It’s nice to see the observations and comment on what she has been doing. However, it doesn’t have everything the website does. You have to log in through the website via the computer to access documents, which is a hassle when out and about or if I’m not near my own computer. Its also runs everything in a time-line which is frustrating. There’s no separate tab for memos, activities, observations so you have to scroll. It’s doesn’t feel complete or organised. Our our old school used a much more comprehensive app that was easier to use to find everything that was also accessible on the website. If I’m honest yes I love the observations, but I really need the the app for the memos, activities and documents for when I have forgotten something! It’s not particularly user friendly. There is potential - please keep working on it.