App Evaluation
K-12 Timed Reading and Comprehension Practice
This app can be found in the iTunes store under Education. In this app, the student reads a story while being timed. At the end the student answers multiple choice questions for comprehension. At the very end, results are given that shows the WPM and comprehension score. The data can be saved for future reference. This app works well for keep track of fluency and wpm along with assessing comprehension. However, the passages seem a bit high for the levels. There are K-4 levels. The stories are advanced for each grade level. I think it would work better if the students are given fewer words and sentences on each page. There are also no pictures even for the Kindergarten and first grade levels.
This app can be found in the iTunes store under Education. In this app, the student reads a story while being timed. At the end the student answers multiple choice questions for comprehension. At the very end, results are given that shows the WPM and comprehension score. The data can be saved for future reference. This app works well for keep track of fluency and wpm along with assessing comprehension. However, the passages seem a bit high for the levels. There are K-4 levels. The stories are advanced for each grade level. I think it would work better if the students are given fewer words and sentences on each page. There are also no pictures even for the Kindergarten and first grade levels.
One Minute Reader
This app can be found in the iTunes store under Education. In this app, a placement test can be given to determine which level the student is at in the app. The levels in the app are E and 1-5. Once a placement test is given and the level is found, the student or teacher chooses a book. In the first activity, the student completes a cold read. After one minute, the student must touch the last word they read in which the app records. Next, the student follows along to a read along of the same text. Then, the student reads alone again while he/she is timed again and must touch the last word read. There is a quick comprehension quiz at the end. The results are then shown on a graph that charts the number of words read during the cold read and reread. This app is very handy in that it keeps track of the students progress with fluency and comprehension. It is a good tool for assessment in those areas. One weakness is that for the lower levels, there may be too much text on the page for the student. There are too many words to focus on.
This app can be found in the iTunes store under Education. In this app, a placement test can be given to determine which level the student is at in the app. The levels in the app are E and 1-5. Once a placement test is given and the level is found, the student or teacher chooses a book. In the first activity, the student completes a cold read. After one minute, the student must touch the last word they read in which the app records. Next, the student follows along to a read along of the same text. Then, the student reads alone again while he/she is timed again and must touch the last word read. There is a quick comprehension quiz at the end. The results are then shown on a graph that charts the number of words read during the cold read and reread. This app is very handy in that it keeps track of the students progress with fluency and comprehension. It is a good tool for assessment in those areas. One weakness is that for the lower levels, there may be too much text on the page for the student. There are too many words to focus on.
Cat in the Hat
This app can be found on the iTunes store under Education. This is only one app in the collection. There is a different app for each Dr. Seuss book. In this app, the teacher or student can choose from "read to me," "read it myself," or "auto play" choices. I chose the "read to me" section for an echo read. The student listened to the text being read then at the end of each page after it was read aloud, the student read it himself. This app can be used in many different ways to work on fluency. The students are engaged because it is on an iPad and they are gaining listening skills and reading skills without knowing it! One weakness is that not all of the Dr. Seuss books are included on the app. You have to download every book app for different books.
This app can be found on the iTunes store under Education. This is only one app in the collection. There is a different app for each Dr. Seuss book. In this app, the teacher or student can choose from "read to me," "read it myself," or "auto play" choices. I chose the "read to me" section for an echo read. The student listened to the text being read then at the end of each page after it was read aloud, the student read it himself. This app can be used in many different ways to work on fluency. The students are engaged because it is on an iPad and they are gaining listening skills and reading skills without knowing it! One weakness is that not all of the Dr. Seuss books are included on the app. You have to download every book app for different books.
Aesop's Quest
This app can be found in the iTunes store under Education. Aesop's Quest, based on Aesop's Fables, is a learning game where the player must remember elements of a story to complete a level. The game uses reading comprehension to develop cognitive reading skills. The touch mechanic of the game engages children in a hands-on learning process, implementing kinesthetic learning. The game incorporates reading comprehension attuned to the particular grade level, based upon excerpts from grade-appropriate reading materials. The content of the stories and the questions are good, but the mini games at the end of the stories do not always work. We finally beat the mole game (which took several tries, as it seems that you must have the perfect touch in order to defeat it) and it froze and would not allow us to venture to the next level. The app would freeze frequently.
This app can be found in the iTunes store under Education. Aesop's Quest, based on Aesop's Fables, is a learning game where the player must remember elements of a story to complete a level. The game uses reading comprehension to develop cognitive reading skills. The touch mechanic of the game engages children in a hands-on learning process, implementing kinesthetic learning. The game incorporates reading comprehension attuned to the particular grade level, based upon excerpts from grade-appropriate reading materials. The content of the stories and the questions are good, but the mini games at the end of the stories do not always work. We finally beat the mole game (which took several tries, as it seems that you must have the perfect touch in order to defeat it) and it froze and would not allow us to venture to the next level. The app would freeze frequently.
Moo-O
This app can be found in the iTunes store under Education. Moo-O, which is pronounced as “Moo-OH”, is an immersive digital storybook that is effective in drawing children out to read aloud naturally. It uses the camera on the iPad to immerse the readers in the story, turning them into story characters and into motivated learners honing their reading skills. The videos that the children produce can then be shared easily with teachers, family and friends. There is a wide range of stories to choose from. Moo-O is currently used in schools in many countries such as Australia, China, Hong Kong, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States. This app is very engaging and fun to use for the students as it puts them into the story! It can be used to work on fluency. The app does crash and freeze frequently making it hard to use at times.
This app can be found in the iTunes store under Education. Moo-O, which is pronounced as “Moo-OH”, is an immersive digital storybook that is effective in drawing children out to read aloud naturally. It uses the camera on the iPad to immerse the readers in the story, turning them into story characters and into motivated learners honing their reading skills. The videos that the children produce can then be shared easily with teachers, family and friends. There is a wide range of stories to choose from. Moo-O is currently used in schools in many countries such as Australia, China, Hong Kong, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States. This app is very engaging and fun to use for the students as it puts them into the story! It can be used to work on fluency. The app does crash and freeze frequently making it hard to use at times.
PBS Kids
This app can be found on the iTunes store under Education. Much like the website, this app provides videos, read alouds, activities and games. Students can read along with a read aloud watching as the words are read on the screen or read books by themselves. Students can learn rhymes, word families, blending and segmenting skills and more through the videos and games. This app can be used as a center during an ELA block for computers or for a listening center.
This app can be found on the iTunes store under Education. Much like the website, this app provides videos, read alouds, activities and games. Students can read along with a read aloud watching as the words are read on the screen or read books by themselves. Students can learn rhymes, word families, blending and segmenting skills and more through the videos and games. This app can be used as a center during an ELA block for computers or for a listening center.