Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Bitsboard

by GrasshopperApps.com

 
Bitsboard is the April App of the month.  This flashcard type app makes it easy to prepare several different kinds of study activities that make use of text, pictures, sound, and kinesthetics.  Pictures are imported into the app easily through the iPad's camera roll or camera.  The audio recording feature picks up sounds clearly so recorded speech sounds great when played back in the activities.
Once the images are imported the types of activities available on Bitsboard are:
  • Flashcards - review each image one at a time. 
  • Photo Touch - hear a word and touch the right picture
  • True or False - see a picture and a word and decide 'Check' if they match or 'X' if they don't
  • Match Up - drag multiple pictures to their matching words
  • Pop Quiz - see a picture and hear it's label and then select the text from multiple choices
  • Reader - see the text and choose the correct picture.  Use the speaker icon for an audio clue
  • Word Builder - drag scrambled letters to the bottom of the page to correctly spell a word
  • Spelling Bee - see and hear word then use the keyboard to spell the word
 
 
 
 

 
While importing pictures that are already on the camera roll is quite easy, it would be nice if the app could access files on Dropbox.  This would make getting curriculum material from one's computer into the app much quicker.  Currently, there does not appear to be a way to access Dropbox web folders.
 
Bitsboard can be a fun and motivating way to practice vocabulary and spelling.  This app is rated a must-have for classrooms with readers and emerging readers alike.