Sight Words

Description: In learn mode, the word will be read and seen to learn sight words. In play mode, the app says a word and student needs to select the correct word from a list of 2-6 words, as set in settings. Select words lists from six sets of words.

Content Area: Language Arts

Grade Level: K-3

Specs:

• Available Platform: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch – iOS 4.3 or later
• Cost: Free
• Size: 15.9 MB
• Access: App can run as stand-alone
• App Website: Apple Store

Positive Features:

 

• Many options in setting such as ability to change font size, color, looping of words in set
• Allows you to customize flashcards by adding or deleting words from a set. When you add words, you record a voice saying the word and you can record your voice or a student’s voice, which they would enjoy
• You can use app in learn mode or play mode • As students going through learn mode, they can click on the star icon at the top to mark it as a favorite or difficult word to practice after going through the set
• You can turn the sound off to have students practice reading the words to teacher or someone else
• Gives positive feedback when correct word is selected in play mode or tells you to try again if incorrect word is selected
• Use in portrait or landscape.

Potential Downsides:

 

• Does not allow you to go back to the previously read word
• Unable to change white background
• When you play in landscape with 4 or more words to select from, font shrinks and is difficult to read
• Does not have ability to create different profiles to practice the favorite words. I couldn’t figure out how to delete a word from the favorite list.

Possible Educational Use:

Students in grade K and 1 are learning to read sight words.  I would use this app to have them practice the various lists at a center or when they have free time.  I can also pull them in small groups based on their reading levels.

Evaluation:

After student practice in learn and play mode and they feel they know the words in a particular set, I will have them read the words in learn mode with the sound off and check off which words they know.  When you go to setting and select customize flashcards, a list of all the words in the set comes out when you select a set.  You can have the set typed out to check off as students read the words.

New ways of teaching and learning this idea present for the student and/or the educator:

This app allows students to practice individually to learn the sight words and provides a multi-sensory way of learning as they hear and see the word and in play mode hear the word and need to touch the  word they hear.

Innovation of this app:

Students can practice on the iPad without help from an adult and when playing get instant feedback on whether they chose the correct word or not.  Students will enjoy learning on the iPad vs. using regular flashcards and the iPad says the words for them to learn.

Bloom Taxonomy:

Remembering; Applying.

Students need to learn to read the sight words and in the play mode have to find the word that is read aloud in a given list of words on the screen.

– Reviewed in Winter 2012