Wordflex Touch Dictionary
By Amanda Bindel,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dynamic, highly visual resource makes exploring words fun.
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Wordflex Touch Dictionary
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What’s It About?
WORDFLEX TOUCH DICTIONARY is a dictionary -- three, actually, including the largest, most exhaustive compilation of words in print -- that kids can explore and interact with visually. Kids start by searching for a word, even without precise spelling. For example, typing the word "excess" also offers the word "excel" as an option floating onto the screen. Tap the intended word, and the dictionary entry expands like a tree, showing dozens of similar words grouped in branches demonstrating the subtleties of meaning for each. These trees and branches can be shaped and rearranged.
Is It Any Good?
Looking up words in the dictionary can seem methodical and even boring, but kids will actually enjoy looking up words and playing around on this innovative reference tool. By exploring, kids can develop a depth of understanding for old and new words and broaden their vocabularies. The app's breadth and interactivity are also impressive. Picture the huge unabridged dictionary sitting on a pedestal in the library, the one kids are afraid to touch because it's so heavy. Add to that a personal tutor pointing out all the connections that a word has with other words. Then make it visually appealing and compact enough to be accessed at the touch of a button on the iPad, and you get an idea of the power of this educational resource. The controls are pretty intuitive, but kids can review the Quick Start Guide for a short tutorial, the Comprehensive Guide for a more detailed manual, or the Touch Gestures link for a short list of screen maneuvers. The information page includes a link to the developer's website, which features a short video showing how to interact with the word trees. Though pricey as far as apps go, it costs substantially less than buying the multiple Oxford dictionary and thesaurus titles covered in this app.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Encourage kids to "look it up" when they need spelling or definition help. And then encourage them to explore and discover more about that word or different words like it.
Work with kids to compare and contrast the experience looking up a particular word in a traditional dictionary and the experience of looking up a word in the app.
App Details
- Device: iPad
- Subjects: Language & Reading : vocabulary, writing clearly
- Skills: Tech Skills : using and applying technology
- Pricing structure: Paid, Free
- Release date: December 3, 2012
- Category: Education
- Version: 2.0.2
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 7.0 or later. iPad only
- Last updated: April 8, 2020
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