# SOTO (Student On-Task Observation)

> Digital tool for fast, accurate student on-task/off-task behavioral observation and reporting. (iPhone/iPad app by Jack Calo.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soto-student-on-task-observation/id428809608 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Jack Calo](https://appshunter.io/developer/428809611)
- Category: Education, Productivity
- Price: $9.99
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 19 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 6.0 · 7 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-04-05
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soto-student-on-task-observation/id428809608/reviews.md

## What is SOTO (Student On?

Student behavioral observation methods and techniques are a simple and effective way to gather insightful data on students.  The SOTO App is an excellent tool to help you perform “On-Task / Off-Task” observations.  

The SOTO App provides a simple, intuitive tool that makes behavioral observation * fast and easy * for everyone.  We hope this app helps save you time and effort with accurate data collection and reporting.  

Instead of paper, pen and a clock, the SOTO App captures and collects your observation data through simple “checkboxes”.  It also automatically maintains timed intervals for you throughout your observation.  

Simply indicate if a student is “On-Task” by selecting “Academically or Passively Engaged.  Otherwise, the student is “Off-Task” for that interval.  You can also record specific “Off-Task” observations of a student, whether there are: Off-Task Motor, Off-Task Verbal and/or Off-Task Passive.  

After performing an observation session,  you can quickly generate a report, which calculates percentage statistics from your data, as well as graph and chart images that help effectively communicate your data visually.  Having graphs and charts are worth a thousand words.  Easily show parents and teachers their student’s time on-task compared to their peers.   

The benefits of using the SOTO App: 

* Be ready to conduct On-Task Observations anytime, anywhere

* No need for a clock, watch or timer

* No fussing with paper and pencils

* Calculates percentages and creates graphs / charts

* Email report data and graphs to yourself, so you can include them in your reports

* Customize settings for how you perform observations: 

  1) how long each observation interval should last
  2) how often to record Peer intervals for comparison
  3) turn “vibrate” notification on before each new interval begins (this requires an iPhone for its vibrate capability)

## Key features

- Digital checkbox data collection
- Automatic timed intervals
- On-task/Off-task categorization
- Specific off-task behavior recording
- Percentage statistics calculation
- Graph and chart generation
- Customizable observation settings

## Recent user reviews (10 of 19)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soto-student-on-task-observation/id428809608/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Useless

*2016-01-27, version 1.1*

Worked great before iOS update--now worthless.

### 1/5 — Broken

*2016-01-06*

As many others have noted. This app does not operate on current iOS (as of 1/6/16). 

Completely unusable until fixed, which apparently there are no signs of that happening.

### 1/5 — No Longer Works

*2015-08-31*

With the new iOS update, the app doesn't work. I can't start the observation. Therefore, the app is useless. From what I have read, there may never be a fix. Don't waste your money.

### 1/5 — Thumbs down

*2015-04-03*

Remove from app. store pls. So disappointing. Can't believe I wasted ten bucks.

### 1/5 — Frustrated-- hasn't been updated since Oct

*2015-01-27*

We're going on 4 months here.. Can we get an update so it will work on the new OS? Or at least an update on if it's ever going to be updated?

### 1/5 — HELP!

*2015-01-21*

This app is no longer working. I was really enjoying it. And went to use it during an observation and it wouldn't work! It doesn't seem to register my finger taps.  So I can't really click on anything. Couldn't even get past "start."  PLEASE FIX!

### 1/5 — Horrible company/customer service

*2014-11-25*

I had the same problem as many of these reviews since I have the new update. While I loved the app, it is useless now, and I see they have no plans to do anything about it. I emailed them and I have received no response. I will never buy anything from them again.

### 2/5 — Poor support

*2014-11-07*

I used to love to use this app.  But, with the iOS update, it stopped working.  I contacted support, and they have no intention of fixing the problem.  They have no problem charging $9.99 for it, but don’t want to support it.  Don’t buy this if you have the newest version of iOS.  Total waste of money.

### 1/5 — Please fix!

*2014-11-01*

This is a great app for quick and easy observations, but it no longer works with iOS 8. The start button doesn't work and the app locks up and has to be closed. $10 is an expensive price tag for a useless app. Please update this app!!!

### 1/5 — Now useless

*2014-10-11*

Worked great until ios8. Now doesn't work at all. Buttons don't work. Please fix ASAP.

## Frequently asked questions about SOTO (Student On

### What is SOTO used for?

SOTO is a digital tool designed to help educators conduct 'On-Task / Off-Task' behavioral observations of students. It replaces traditional paper and pen methods with intuitive checkboxes for faster and more accurate data collection.

### How does SOTO track student behavior?

SOTO uses simple checkboxes to indicate if a student is 'Academically or Passively Engaged' (On-Task) or 'Off-Task' during timed observation intervals. It can also record specific types of off-task behaviors like motor, verbal, or passive.

### Can SOTO generate reports?

Yes, after an observation session, SOTO can quickly generate a report. This report includes calculated percentage statistics from your data, along with helpful graph and chart images for visual communication.

### What are the benefits of using SOTO?

Key benefits include the ability to conduct observations anytime, anywhere without needing a clock or timer, eliminating paper and pencil fuss, and easily generating visual reports that can be emailed for inclusion in other reports.

### Can I customize SOTO observations?

Yes, you can customize settings such as the duration of each observation interval, how often to record peer intervals for comparison, and whether to enable a vibrate notification before each new interval begins.

### What devices does SOTO support?

SOTO is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It requires an iPhone for its specific vibrate notification capability.

### How often is SOTO updated?

The latest version of SOTO is 1.2.4, and it was last updated on September 25, 2016. This indicates a less frequent update cycle.

### Does SOTO have ads?

No, SOTO does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application that focuses on providing a clean and uninterrupted user experience for behavioral observation.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.2.4 — 2016-09-25

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Fixed a bug that caused SOTO to take quite a long time to open.  With this new version, it only takes a few seconds for SOTO to load.

### 1.2.0 — 2016-08-14

The fix is finally in.   Just in time for the new 2016/17 School Year!    Here is a long overdue version of SOTO that just gets it working again in the latest iOS.  We greatly apologize for the delay in fixing SOTO.   We have restored our development environment and established a new workflow that we hope will enable us to deliver more regular updates and new features.

AUGUST 2016 PROMOTION: To help promote this new FIXED release, and also our new SOTO for Android release and to help kick off the new school year, the SOTO is on sale for $5.99 (40% off the regular price of $9.99).  This promotion will last through Labor Day - September 5th, 2016. Please share this promotion with all of your friends and colleagues. Thank you!

### 1.1 — 2011-04-21

****************************************************
ATTENTION - NOVEMBER 2014 STATUS

SOTO does NOT work in Apple's latest iOS 8 
release.  We will update this description once
we are able to resolve this issue.

****************************************************

Thank you all SOTO customers!  Please continue to share your comments and feedback with us.

* Addressed a bug in reporting section that incorrectly graphs the OTP Graph Bar.  

* Improved email compatibility!  This new SOTO update now emails graph / chart images as "attachments".  

* Improvements were also made to how graph images were drawn, allowing for more universal "cut and paste" into popular applications, like MS Word.  This also should help address a "black" background image experienced in certain web browsers.

* Improved workflow when sending Observation Reports via email.  When viewing a Report, click on the "Send Report" button.  This creates an email message containing your report and associated graphs.  Make any necessary changes to your email message.  After you send your report, you are taken back to the report within SOTO.

### 1.0 — 2011-04-05

No release notes.

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## More apps by Jack Calo

- [SOTO+ (Student Observations)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soto-plus-student-observations/id1473544017)

All apps by Jack Calo: https://appshunter.io/developer/428809611

## Related topics

[soto](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/soto) · [soto app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/soto-app)

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*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.*