This is one of many vocabulary learning apps from Vocabahead which uses a combination of cartoons, voice-overs, sentences and definitions to help students learn and recall vocabulary. This app includes 50 words with the option to upgrade to 1,000 words and there are plenty of other apps in the series. The app's virtual flashcards include the word, the definition, an illustration, and, if the student chooses, the option to have the definition read aloud and used in a sentence. The illustrations seem like they are intended to be somewhat humorous and memorable but many students will not find them funny and some are difficult to see on smaller screens. The definitions are good but the accompanying sentences are often too long to be memorable, approximately 45 seconds each, and many students might opt not to listen as a result. Students also have the option to quiz themselves with a multiple choice quiz and track mastery as well as group words as they study with the virtual flashcards. Overall, this app will probably be most useful for students who would struggle to memorize with traditional flashcards and will benefit from the audio and picture features. Other students might otherwise find this app inefficient relative to alternatives. Note: This app was originally reviewed for iPhone/iPad. Some differences might apply. Amazon rating: Guidance Suggested

• Provides sufficient and varied types of practice problems to maximize understanding and generalization of the targeted skill/concept
• Manufacturer claims alignment with Common Core/Known Standards
• Presents educational concepts accurately
• Explains answers so students can learn from mistakes
• Better for teaching the skill to new or struggling learners
• Better for practicing or refreshing the skill
• Skills are practiced through authentic, meaningful problems (not just rote practice)

• Appropriate for a broad age range to use and enjoy
• Subject matter and problems are relevant, interesting and authentic to students
• Visually appealing to children in the target age range
• Provides virtual rewards or incentives after meeting specified goals or objectives
• Provides a "break activity" between academic problem sets
• Offers ongoing, progressive challenge
• Overall - Enjoyable. Given the option, students would choose this option

• Has a free or trial version
• Provides teaching guidance for adults to support the child and set appropriate goals
• Provides an age-appropriate tutorial/first time users can work independently
• Student should be able to use independently after first use
• Has a multi-player option to foster in-person collaboration or cooperation
• Multiple users can save a profile
• Student graduates to the next level or topic only after meeting a benchmark
• Can play without sound and not distract others
• Students can save work between sessions
• Can effectively understand and monitor student's progress (email report or in product)
• Provides options to play in languages other than English/Good for ELL
• Presents information in multiple formats (voice over, pictures and text, etc.)
• Overall - Easy to use

• Attention
• Problems or examples are not interesting for the target age range
• Visual Discrimination
• Words used during activity can be too small or difficult to read
• Working Memory