4Pics1Word is a fun and popular word puzzle app that develops flexible thinking skills but has no pure academic value. The user studies four pictures and must determine what word the four pictures have in common. From a limited selection of letters, the user spells out the word. For example, the images might be a coach, a runner, a boy with a dog, and a locomotive--the common word is "train." The user accumulates gold coins for correct answers and can use the coins for hints or purchase additional coins. The site encourages use of hints if a user takes time, which can be distracting. Users can post performance directly to Facebook from within the app. After a few puzzles, an advertisement pops up to purchase a different app. The game is intended to be enjoyed by a broad audience, so it does not use academically challenging words or pictures. However, older students may find making the connections a good mental exercise if they are not bothered by the many advertisements.

• 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
• Shows advertisements
• Promotes purchases or upgrades to students
• Directions may be confusing for students using independently
• Visually distracting with too many pictures, problems or moving objects
• General Information
• Assumes specific knowledge or vocabulary without "look-up" options
• Reading Basics
• Directions may be confusing for students using independently
• Self-regulation
• Shows advertisements
• Promotes purchases or upgrades to students
• Themes that might disturb sensitive students (death, blood, slime)
• Gives negative feedback (red X's, buzzer)
• Spelling
• Verbal Reasoning
• Directions may be confusing for students using independently
• Assumes specific knowledge or vocabulary without "look-up" options
• Vocabulary
• Directions may be confusing for students using independently
• Assumes specific knowledge or vocabulary without "look-up" options

THE #1 HIT WITH OVER 250,000,000 PLAYERS WORLDWIDE!
4 pictures that have 1 word in common – what is it?
Find out why everyone loves this game and JOIN THE FUN NOW!

*ENDLESS FUN WITH NEW PUZZLES!*
Can you guess the words and unlock the levels? Countless puzzles from easy to tricky are waiting for you! New puzzles are added continuously for endless word fun!

*PURE, INSTANT FUN*
No registration, no complicated rules. Just start playing and have fun!

*SIMPLE AND HIGHLY ADDICTIVE GAMEPLAY*
Which word are we looking for? Look at the four pictures; find out what they have in common. Win!

*THE MOST ADDICTIVE BRAINTEASER IN THE WORLD!*
There are over 250,000,000 4 Pics 1 Word enthusiasts playing across the globe in 9 languages. Join them!