The following apps have been reviewed and are applicable for vocabulary building purposes with students. Clicking on the picture will take you directly to the iTunes store where you can buy and/or download that particular app.
As we are building a shared community of knowledge, should you come across another valuable app for this purpose, please add it to this page by leaving a comment!
abc PocketPhonics
Created By: Apps in My Pocket Ltd.
Cost: $3.99
Description: Teaching the basics of reading including sight words and letter sounds, this app features 170 frequently used words, letter sounds for each letter in the alphabet, as well as 30 letter sounds that come from combining letters together (ex/ “sh”). Students can also track their progress and customize their program to target specific focus areas.(McClanahan et. al., 2012)
Watch a demonstration: click here to watch Kaden – a 7 year old ASD student
WordFlick
Created By: Everyday Apps
Cost: $0.99
Description: This app provides an engaging, interactive and differentiated approach to word work. The individual game provides players with a number of different letter tiles, similar to Scrabble. The student must then create words using the available tiles. (Harmon, 2012)
Words With Friends
Created By: Zynga Mobile
Cost: Free
Description: In this app, students create words from letter tiles (much like Scrabble). They may play against each other and challenge each other to increase their vocabulary. Multiple games can be played at once.(Harmon, 2012)
Flashcards+
Created By: Connor Zwick
Cost: Free
Description: This app was designed at Harvard University and has become the world’s most popular and best app for learning and studying new vocabulary and information. Access is provided to millions of pre-made flashcard sets (no additional charge) or students can create their own. A human voice synthesizer is also built in (in multiple languages, dialects and both genders) so students can practice pronunciation or listen to an oral reading of the information. (McClanahan et. al., 2012)
Vocabulary Builder Series
Created By: Innovative Net Learning Ltd.
Cost: Free
Description: This series of apps help students become independent vocabulary learners. Students drag the correct word to a corresponding picture. Vocabulary words can be tapped to hear the word read aloud. (McClanahan et. al., 2012)
Miss Spell’s Class
Created By: Dictionary.com
Cost: Free
Description: This word game allows students to test their word recognition and spelling skills by asking them to decide which words are correctly spelled. The game utilizes the most commonly misspelled words on Dictionary.com (McClanahan et. al., 2012)