Common Sense Media Review
By Keri Wilmot
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Free tool converts text to speech, has digital voice.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Snap&Read Universal
Privacy Rating Warning
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
What's It About?
In SNAP&READ UNIVERSAL, users upload content into the app from websites or photos of worksheets. Once the content is uploaded into the app and you tap on the text, the words are read aloud and simultaneously highlighted. Dynamic text leveling changes challenging words of the text to help kids understand it more easily. A built-in online tool with access to 60+ more options of outlines and graphic organizers prompts users to take notes and write down additional information used for reports and studying. It can take more than five steps to upload content into the app for use, which might be difficult for kids.
Is It Any Good?
This reading tool provides users with the ability to hear spoken text out loud and has some solid features, but the digital voice and tricky setup make it less appealing for young kids. The features of Snap&Read Universal offer kids who have trouble reading the ability to explore websites, read new stories, and complete research for projects more independently. The voices that read the text, even though they can be customized, can sound robotic, which might put off some kids. The toolbar may be challenging for kids to navigate. Also, when you want to select only specific sections of text to be read, drawing the text box to include that text takes practice and coordination, even for adults. Ultimately, this app could be a worthy option to help kids with learning and attention issues read more independently -- and it's free!
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Snap&Read Universal could benefit their ability to read books and learn new information by listening to words spoken aloud, especially if they have difficulty with reading and comprehension.
Discuss the acceptable websites and ebooks that could be used in conjunction with this app. Where are good places to use for searches and research?
Talk about how kids can be more independent in following directions by taking the initiative to use the app to listen to the instructions on homework worksheets rather than relying on asking an adult.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects : Language & Reading : letter or word recognition , phonics , reading , reading comprehension , vocabulary
- Skills : Tech Skills : using and applying technology
- Pricing structure : Free
- Release date : May 8, 2017
- Genre : Education
- Publisher : Don Johnston Incorporated
- Version : 1.0.1
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 8.0 or later
- Last updated : February 12, 2019
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