Ive always had fond memories of my Speak n Spell from the early 1980s, but theres never been a decent replacement for the iPad until now.
Speaking Spell HD provides not only the familiar keyboard input and voice response of the original Speak n Spell but adds a number of features and enhancements that cannot be found with any other app, like:
- The spoken text is very understandable. Weve used top-of-the-line text to speech software to ensure that students will not struggle with Speaking Spells speech quality.
- A "Hint" button which recites a sentence using the word that the student is asked to spell. The format is standard spelling bee: A sentence, and then the word is repeated
- The word list is taken from actual spelling exercises used by teachers.
- The word list is constantly being added to and enhanced.
- The user interface is incredibly child-friendly. Not only does each letter keypress provide audio feedback of the letter, but the onscreen keys are highlighted and increased in size ... just like the standard iPad keyboard but with bright, easily readable buttons meant just for young students
- The word to be spelled can be repeated at any time, or skipped if the student is having too much difficulty with it
- Were open to suggestions! If theres any enhancements that teachers and/or parents would like to see, were happy to add them in future releases.
In Grade 1, there are still some easier three-letter words, but more emphasis is placed on four- and five-letter challenges, especially those with common phonetic difficulties at this age group. For example, "plane" (which is differentiated from "plain" with Speaking Spells unique sentence pronunciation).
All in all were very proud of Speaking Spell HD -- its the best spelling drill, tutor and edutainment app for spelling on the App Store, in high-resolution to take full advantage of the iPads capabilities!