# GOLD® Documentation — user reviews > 51 indexed App Store user reviews of GOLD® Documentation by Teaching Strategies, Inc., rated 4.58/5 from 7,718 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gold-documentation/id571518837/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gold-documentation/id571518837.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 5,934 · 4★ 1,010 · 3★ 363 · 2★ 156 · 1★ 255 ## What do users think of GOLD® Documentation? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 🚀 Quick documentation - 📝 Easy to assign preliminary levels - 🗓️ Automatic date logging - 💬 Voice-to-text note taking **Cons** - 🔒 Frequent log-out issues - 📷 Unable to upload existing photos - 🕰️ Inability to adjust documentation date - 🔍 Limited camera/video functionality - 🔁 Repetitive clicking to complete tasks - 💾 Unreliable data storage and syncing **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when trying to record multiple videos - Photos/videos disappearing after app updates - Login issues preventing access to documentation **Most requested features** - Allow uploading photos from device gallery - Option to stay logged in for longer sessions - Ability to edit/update documentation details - Integrate with device camera roll for easy access - Streamline workflow with fewer clicks per action ## Newest reviews (16 of 51) ### 3/5 — Helpful, but plenty of room for improvement *2023-02-10, version 12.12.15* There is no way to add documentation using photos already stored on the mobile device OR to edit the date of the documentation, so can really only be used in a VERY on-the-spot way. I downloaded the app because I was so disappointed with recent changes to the website format, and this is different but equally disappointing. It does work, though! ### 3/5 — Can’t Add Pictures Already Taken *2020-12-02, version 10.6.8* I like this app a lot. However I have some pictures of documentation I have already taken, outside of the app and I cannot add them easily. I have to either email the pictures to myself and download them onto my computer and then upload them to the site. It just isn’t convenient. If there was an option to add already taken pictures to this app, I would rate it at 5 stars. ### 4/5 — Sync camera with app *2020-10-12, version 10.6.8* I love using the app for anecdotals but would love to see a way to do quick access-children sometimes move on to other activities before we can sign on and make the note so no picture can be taken-we would like to be able to transfer video and picture from the camera on iPads to the app-it is quicker to snap a pic quick with the iPad camera but then we can’t load it to the child’s profile ### 2/5 — Frustrating *2020-09-22, version 10.6.8* This app could be easier to use. There are aspects that could be simplified and I have recently lost documentation from the app. Viewing the levels could be smaller or easier view. It logs me off to quickly and I have to log back on constantly. The amount of clicking I have to do to get to a specific window is ridiculous. It’s a classic case of wanting to make things simpler but instead they made it harder. Some suggestions include name recognition or even face recognition. After you add a kid into your class the app could recognize the name when you write it in the notes and add the student. The fact that you can only take a 60 second video is super annoying. In short if I had the option to use another app I would. just sending the review was frustrating. ### 3/5 — Seriously *2020-05-27, version 8.11.16* I’m a preschool teacher and we use this program in our facility. It’s a very useful tool to have when assessments are needed. My only complaint is the lack of attention to detail in making this tool easier!! Why is there no option to upload directly from the gallery on the phone?? This app would definitely be worth 5 stars if it had the option to directly upload the millions of photos I take from my phone!! ### 3/5 — Needs improvement. *2020-05-01, version 8.11.16* The concept of this application is intended for it to be easier, faster, and more convenient to enter anecdotal notes onto the GOLD platform. However, this application does otherwise. Here are a few cons you will encounter: -Logging in is not smooth and efficient. It will take anywhere up to 20 seconds. If you are trying to record or take a “in the moment” picture consider gone. The application will automatically sign you out after a few minutes of inactivity Fingerprint sign in is not available. -you are unable to load pictures or videos from your phone. - any pictures or videos are not automatically saved on your phones camera roll. Any glitch or accidental deletion and your most precious anecdotal proof is gone. - Currently there seems to be a glitch. You can enter the notes and dimensions through the application, however once you view the documents online either of the following will happen: Your video/picture is MIA on both your phone and the desktop. And/or Only one dimension went through. -When choosing the dimensions that have jpg example, you can not view the examples. ### 4/5 — Super helpful *2019-10-02, version 8.11.16* I love being able to document on the go and have the date logged automatically. I agree with the other reviewers that we should be able to stay logged in during our full session with kids so we don’t miss out on opportunities to document while taking the time to log in. ### 3/5 — App Likes *2019-03-06, version 8.11.16* The app is awesome and is very handy especially for myself because time gets away from me and so it’s quick and easy to just get it in there and you can finish rating it later. I do wish you can stay logged in, because you will never know when you need to take a picture or add anything. Downloading from your personal phone would be awesome especially if not logged it at the time of picture needed. ### 3/5 — Could be better *2019-01-29, version 8.11.16* I enjoy taking pictures of my students/work samples and observations with this app and being able to rate it and upload it easily. What I don’t like is that the picture is the notes you add or only reachable on the device you used. It would be much more useful if I could take pictures on multiple devices and access them using my login and password from any device. ### 3/5 — Could be much better and easier to use *2019-01-22, version 8.11.16* It is difficult to use this app when I need to log in each time I click the app. By the time I log in to document, The activity has already finished at certain times. Especially when wanting to do a picture or video documentation. Would be nice to add fingerprint ability to log in faster! Or be able to upload pictures already taken from your phone or tablet! I enjoy being able to place children from the app once I have entered a documentation and choosing kids is easy. ### 4/5 — Liking most of it *2018-12-30, version 8.11.16* Would really love to be able to add more than one picture or video through the app. I end up using a picture or video and then taking others with my phone and trying to find the time to add them later when I’m in the office. Time is short in the life of a parent educator, and adding in other documentation later uses up valuable time! All in all the app saves me a lot of time, so I am liking it! ### 3/5 — Good... Could be better *2018-12-16, version 8.11.16* Overall, this app does everything I need it to do... But I would like to see more features... TouchID (to log in quick to capture moments missed as I type my login and password) upload pictures from my phone (mostly b/c it’s quicker to snap a pic from my phone - I know that I could upload from the website - but that takes long - It would be nice to have that an option from my iPhoto to send to TSG app), download photos (sometimes there are great photos I want to print - I don’t want a screen shot) , see my lesson plans, Intentional Teaching Cards cards/assess, Mighty Minutes cards/assess ### 2/5 — Problems that never get fixed *2018-10-29, version 7.9.27* I’ve been using this app for a few years now and the same problems persist. Pros: can video/take pictures, write anecdotes, level and upload. Let’s me stay logged in somewhat longer. Cons: Way too many clicks to do anything, can’t share with parents, can only have one picture per entry, a bug makes it impossible to see what I am videotaping(for almost a month now), another bug makes the app crash when I try to take two videos in a row (has been since August) So it’s a nice idea, but needs better developers. ### 3/5 — Upgrades needed *2018-10-22, version 7.9.27* It would be convenient to use the same photo multiple times for different children. Some information/data that I would like to include to represent what is happening is often different for all the students in the photo. Also, if I move around my classroom, I often have to logout and login again in order to upload the data to GOLD. I will often get an error message when I attempt to upload. ### 4/5 — Great app *2018-10-11, version 7.9.27* I love how simple it is to capture moments and assess them right in the app. I wish it would stay logged in instead of having to log in everytime I open it. I also wish you could upload photos instead of just taking them in the moment. Since it always logs out sometimes I take photos and videos on my phone but I have no way to easily upload them from this app. ### 3/5 — Would love to see upload from camera roll option! *2018-08-16, version 7.9.27* This app is great in theory since a phone is so easy to have on hand in the classroom. My most difficult issue is that I often take a number of photos while observing and don’t have time to fiddle with the app (logging in, adding notes, etc.). I’d love a choice to later go in and upload photos/videos from my camera roll. And I’d love for it to have an option to stay logged in. That extra step every time I open it makes it too time consuming to do on the spot recording. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Horrible *2023-01-24, version 12.12.15* Every time I use the app it seems there are issues. Now the app won’t let me attach one kid to the notes. So if he is in the group note I have to wait and add him from the website. Waste of my time. And I called yesterday and the guys solution was to get another device and take pics of my notes then upload from that device. Really??? That’s the best he can offer??? How is that possible??? How about figure out why I can’t use the app for one of my kids??? It’s a pain. ### 1/5 — Stay logged in *2021-08-21, version 10.6.8* You should be able to stay logged in all the time. Recently the app won’t let me play a video I have taken. I click on the video and you see where you can press play, but only for a split second, then it goes back to the screen that has the still shot of the video and Notes/Name/Objectives. Also, the app tends to close after you’ve taken a one minute video. Sometimes I need to take several videos in a row and that glitch makes it difficult. ### 1/5 — No too great *2018-12-04, version 8.11.16* When you have the training you come back ready to fight fire with a gas fire hose-then you get into the app. It is great to have it portable (on the IPad) but it times out too soon, you have to go here, there and everywhere to find places documentation will fit and then once there, the sub titles under the headings don’t always align to the observation though I know my kids are meeting a particular objective. And I just hate that the whole assessment it subjective; I may see something and know the skill of a student better than someone else who may see something totally differently. This just isn’t my favorite assessment tool and for what it costs, well there has to be something better. ### 1/5 — Not useful *2018-11-19, version 7.9.27* The idea of having an app for this assessment tool sounds amazing. But there are other assessment tools with better apps. This one needs a lot of improvement. For starters, it should stay logged in for a certain amount of time. Maybe having a feature where we can dictate how long we can stay logged in? Having to sign in all the time is annoying. Also, not being able to transfer photos into the app is frustrating. It’s so easy to take a photo with your phone or iPad. But then you can’t upload into the app. You’d have to email it to yourself or use an internet app to log into GOLD and then upload that way. That’s just too many steps, IMO. Also, I wish the app or the online system had something to show you examples of each objective. Pearson’s work sampling system has that option within every domain and sub domain. Teaching Strategies GOLD doesn’t offer that. As a teacher, we should have a booklet or a feature we can download online as a PDF which helps us figure out what evidence goes for what objective instead of having to go through all these steps to figure that out. I’ll be deleting this app for now until it gets some updating. ### 1/5 — Not helpful *2018-06-19, version 7.9.27* Major flaw: You cannot upload photos stored in the ipad and enter them into the app document, unless you have taken them from within the app. I catch many moments important for documentation with my ipad throughout the day, which I use also for portfolio binders, NAEYC porftolios, print for classroom displays etc. I cannot limit my photo taking to photos using the app, as they cannot be applied to other uses, and as a previous reviewer stated, by the time you resign in to take it, the moment is long gone. ### 1/5 — Not user friendly for early childhood teachers *2017-10-18, version 7.9.27* This app was not created by someone who is familiar with an early childhood classroom. 1) The app logs itself out way too often. How am I supposed to tell a 4 year old to "wait" so I can log back in and then wait again to let it sync data? 2) Occasionally the app will decide not to log in at all and has randomly deleted all pieces of evidence that were stored. 3) The app will only log in when connected to wifi. If wifi is down, I can't use app to take photos or any other evidence with the intent of uploading later. 4) Within the app I need to be able to upload photos and videos from the iPad's camera to help resolve my problems 1, 2, & 3. 5) When entering one piece of evidence tied to one child and one objective, I have to click FOURTEEN times. Who has time for that in an Early Childhood classroom?? 6)Within the app I need the ability to change the date on the evidence. With all that said, I have to say at least the app is better than the website!! ### 2/5 — Useful but needs improvement *2023-04-18* While this app does allow me to enter pieces of documentation and assign preliminary levels, it has several flaws in my opinion. First, there is no way to adjust the date of the documentation to a date other than the current one, so I cannot accurately enter older notes. Second, the app can only access the camera and microphone, NOT the photo library. Totally useless for my purposes of trying to attach photos I already have. It is designed to capture things only in the moment they are happening, which is absolutely unrealistic for me; I use devices to do “teacher work” during naptime only, NOT while being present and attentive with the children in my care. **Developer response:** Update: We are happy to share that we have launched a new App that addresses some of the concerns you noted. You can download the new Teaching Strategies Teacher App at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/teaching-strategies-teacher/id1663286926 Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. We value your suggestions for improvement. The ability to use photos stored on the device is on our current roadmap, so stay tuned! If there is anything further we can help with, please email us at techsupport@teachingstrategies.com. ### 2/5 — Embarrassing *2023-02-01, version 12.12.15* I’ve been using gold and teaching strategy for years. At this point it is so embarrassing that the app has not improved. The app should look like and should function just like the website. It should be easy and should have as many features as the website. I downloaded the newest version of the app and it has not improved at all. When I start a new observation, I still cannot attach pictures and videos from my camera storage on the phone. I still don’t trust the system to take the picture and store them in the app until I use them for the observation/ anecdotes. ( Bad experiences) Plus I use those pictures for other things, therefore I need them on my Camera storage. The app doesn’t give me the option to download the pictures from the app later. many districts (including mine) are paying for creative curriculum, so the company should put more effort to have the app user-friendly and quick functioning. Even on the website, it takes very long time to upload videos ( 30 seconds videos). I am disappointed. **Developer response:** Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. We value your suggestions for improvement and apologize that the App has not met your expectations. These items are on our current roadmap, so please stay tuned! Thank you. ### 2/5 — Needs updating *2023-01-12, version 12.12.15* I first used this app in 2010. Without the ability to add photos and videos from your camera roll it’s useless. You can make quick documentation, but you have to go into the desktop to edit and add photos and videos. It’s double work. The camera feature within the app is laggy. I just downloaded the app today and it still looks like the same old app. Teachers are too busy to do double work. ### 2/5 — Doesn’t save your password *2021-06-17, version 10.6.8* The app itself works great once it’s open, but the fact that you have to manually log in each time you open it is extraordinary frustrating. I have missed so many documentation moments because I have to log in. Yes it is still easier than uploading a photo on the website, but it still needs some work. Now this wouldn’t be an issue if you could upload photos from your device to the app so you could take photos in the moment and upload when you have time to log in. Either way this is a bug that needs to be fixed. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Lots of issues *2021-09-23, version 10.6.8* I have had a very difficult time using the app on the iPads. They had issues taking passwords and then sending things to the cloud. It is not on one single iPad but two different iPads plus a phone. Never had these issues las year ### 5/5 — GOLD Documenting *2021-04-07, version 10.6.8* This app is working well. I am able to take pictures quickly and write/type notes to remember and assign objectives. I also remember moments. One thing I was thrown off by was having the camera pop up right away. I might like it if the app opens without the camera popping up right away. ### 5/5 — Gold Documentation *2019-12-11, version 8.11.16* I love being able to document using my phone. My phone recently crashed and my Gold app was deleted thus deleting all of the document I had stored but not entered. I wish I could access all those pictures and videos from my iPad but the app (when logged into the same account) doesn’t allow you to see a video you’ve recorded on your phone from the same app on your iPad. It’s very frustrating. Also, I notice when I use my phone and I’m recording a video, once it gets to the 1 minute mark and I try to record another video, the app crashes. I have to completely restart the app. ### 5/5 — Better than the website *2018-12-25, version 8.11.16* I’ve used Gold since its beginning. I prefer the app to the website for inputting documentation but it can still use some improvements. For some reason I can no longer use the video option for observations. When I select this option it freezes up It doesn’t save the pics to my camera roll and I can’t upload pictures from my roll, both of which would be very useful. ### 5/5 — Life saver *2016-10-02, version 3.0* This app is amazing. I was writing down all my notes on a notebook before and I am not a fast writer. I felt like it took away from the interaction and then when I got home I had to type everything in online. Now with the app I can use the microphone and it types it for me and I select the child and it saves it. I usually don't take the time in the moment to select the objective, I do that later in the evening I go through and select the objectives and upload them to the website. Soooo much easier!!! ### 5/5 — Great! *2016-01-28, version 3.0* I love this app on my iPad, but think it should be a universal app because not every person can afford an iPad or iPhone, especially on a daycare teacher's salary. A lot of my co-workers have other tablets, but they miss out on these great benefits. My favorite feature is using the microphone to put in anecdotal so! So easy, so fast and mistakes are easily corrected! About the only things I would change, other than making the app available to other tablets,are the ability to save password and if you choose only one child's name you shouldn't have to click back and forth between screens. And I love not having to put the date in each time. I would certainly keep that attribute! ### 5/5 — Lost forever??? *2016-01-10, version 3.0* App review Ok just added to frustration!! I wrote review and sent but told nickname taken. Fine but went to go to change nickname and review gone!!! Very frustrated pictures do not stay in picture when do update or have to immediately purchase new phone. Lost tons of picture data!!! Upload speed of pictures causes inability to document or you just can't at time. This is soooo frustrating!!! ### 5/5 — What up with submission??? *2016-01-05, version 3.0* I be been enjoying everything about using my iPhone to submit my teacher strategies information. My only concern is that in submitting it transfer fine, but the real issue comes when opening it up through my computer it seem to the the names being use and that's not good for me. It causes me to go back through it. "What's up with that???? " can you figure out how to control that? Otherwise, I will have go back using the old set up. Thanks Eastlake8 ### 5/5 — Good but needs an update *2015-09-16, version 3.0* The app is really helpful as a tool to collect and assess data quickly. The app is very simple and easy to use. There are two improvements that need to be made; the video camera and login. When the video camera is in use it is blurry. This is not the case when it is on the camera only function, only with the video camera. I also do not like that the video stops at one minute of recording. Secondly, it is a little frustrating when I have to login every single time that I open the app. Not sure of a solution but I would like those issues to be fixed. Thanks! ### 4/5 — Needs improvement *2022-09-29, version 12.7.26* It’s good for the most part. I would love if we could upload an image from our phone instead of taking a picture directly in the app. (So we can have a hard copy as well for other projects) Other than that I do like this for easy access to documenting children. It makes it easier instead of having to do it at the end of the day or rushing at the end of the week. I would definitely give you five stars if you could make the picture thing happen. **Developer response:** Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. We value your suggestions for improvement and will take these under consideration. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*