Price: 4.99$
Overall Score: 86/100
version reviewed: 1.0.0
reviewed:
What it is: an app for improving spelling and reading skills, contains over 650 high frequency words divided into 54 lists organized by spelling patterns and difficulty levels.
What you do with it: choose the word set, then listen to the instructions and examples and try to spell words correctly using the on-screen keyboard.
What we liked:the concept, wide range of learning material, the way the learning material is presented (extensive use of text and audio instructions and hints), simple to use interface, support for multiple user accounts (with separate word stats for every user), support for American, British and Canadian English spelling, very high educational value.
What we didn't like: could be a bit more appealing visually, in addition to the help menu we would like to see some sort of instructions/guidance for parents.
Bottom line: an excellent choice for teachers and parents.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 2.99$
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 82/100
version reviewed: 2.15
reviewed:
What it is:animated alphabet flashcards with letter sounds and phonics.
What you do with it: touch a letter to listen to letter's name/sound. Touch objects (whose names start with the letter) for animations, interactions, and sounds e.g. : for 'f' touching the fan will blow the letters off the screen, for 'h' touching the hat will reveal a hamster etc.
What we liked: the concept, simple illustrations and animations, both letter sounds and phonics included, easy operation, kid-safe 'parents' menu, the ABC song as a bonus and additional 'baby mode' advancing cards automatically.
What we didn't like:may not be too entertaining for older kids (the animations and interactions are very simple). There is a large pop up ad on the welcome screen. A bit expensive for what it offers.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: free
May contain in-app purchases
Overall Score: 53/100
version reviewed: 1.4.2
reviewed:
What it is: a set of 3 activities for developing early reading skills.
What you do with it: the 'bears' game: recognize and match uppercase and lowercase letters, the 'penguins' game: form syllables by combining vowels and consonants, the 'seals' game: spell the words by placing letters in the correct order. The progress in each game can be tracked separately for each user of the app (requires registration).
What we liked: the concept (combining simple game-like activities with learning), cute characters, the rewards system, stats/progress tracking, automatic adjustment of the difficulty levels, audio instructions and clues.
What we didn't like: the way the learning material is chosen (pre-programmed or random, you can't choose a particular set of letters or words). The activities are rather simple and can quickly become repetitive. Audio instructions get lost in the background music.
Bottom line: an interesting approach to teach literacy skills with game-like activities.
Appysmarts
Android
Android
Android
Android
Android
Android
Price: free
May contain in-app purchases
Overall Score: 53/100
version reviewed: 1.1
reviewed:
What it is: a set of 3 activities for developing early reading skills.
What you do with it: the 'bears' game: recognize and match uppercase and lowercase letters, the 'penguins' game: form syllables by combining vowels and consonants, the 'seals' game: spell the words by placing letters in the correct order. The progress in each game can be tracked separately for each user of the app (requires registration).
What we liked: the concept (combining simple game-like activities with learning), cute characters, the rewards system, stats/progress tracking, automatic adjustment of the difficulty levels, audio instructions and clues.
What we didn't like: the way the learning material is chosen (pre-programmed or random, you can't choose a particular set of letters or words). The activities are rather simple and can quickly become repetitive. Audio instructions get lost in the background music.
Bottom line: an interesting approach to teach literacy skills with game-like activities.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
