Vocabulary Enhancer (Wordsmith)

    This role asks a students to locate, highlight, and then define unfamiliar vocabulary. They can also select key vocabulary words that reflect important concepts, or demonstrate an interesting form of word choice. Students use a definition for the word and then share the vocabulary with the literature group.
    Having a dictionary embedded directly within student text, makes this role a task every student can seamlessly perform while reading. The challenge with many of these dictionaries, is that they are written for adults. As a result the role is demanding more than just locating a word, but in understanding the definition of a word. During literature circle discussions students need to spend time discussing the definitions the Wordsmith presents. The presentation of a word does not need to be in solely in the form of text. Some apps offer innovative ways to visually convey the meaning of a word.


iCardSort
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iCardSort $5.99
Locate and share vocabulary words
  • Settings allow for changes in the background image
  • Take a photo your own graphic organizer and use as a background.
  • Edit color and font used on cards
  • Copy and paste text from notes
  • Type longer questions in under notes
  • Import organizer in camera roll
  • "Blast" decisions to peers iPad or "Beam" ideas to just one iPad (shared WiFi)
  • Import decks from peers (shared WiFi)
  • Share deck through email or URL
  • Access public decks created by other teachers

image/words
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image/words $1.99
Place vocabulary on top of images that reflect the word's meaning
  • Export images to photos
  • Email files (facebook option available)
  • Copy and paste vocabulary words from notes in iBooks
  • Share vocabulary words as a slideshow

Word Collage

Transform keyword vocabulary into word collages on the iPad

  • Variety of color themes and design layouts.
  • Image saves to photo roll
  • Email images

Dictionary.com
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Dictionary.com FREE
Search for word definitions without needing Internet
  • Dictionary and Thesaurus
  • Phonetic and audio pronunciation
  • Voice-to-text search
  • Word origin and history

Visual Dictionary and Thesaurus
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Visual Dictionary and Thesaurus $1.99
Unfortunately, it appears that the above app "The Word Atlas" is longer available in the iTunes store. Here is a very similar app.
  • Provides definitions
  • Color coded parts of speech
  • Example sentences demonstrate how to use the word
  • No WiFi needed
  • Provides synonyms

Define
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Define .99 cents
A dictionary with built in Wikipedia and Wiktionary features.
  • Attach personal photos that connect to the meaning of the word
  • Conduct a search in the dictionary by speaking the word
  • Uses Apple dictionary, Urban dictionary, Web Search and Translate
  • Control the sources used to search a words definition in the app settings

Dictionary+
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Dictionary+ FREE

  • Works offline
  • Dictionary

WordWeb Dictionary
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WordWeb Dictionary FREE

  • Approximate spelling will locate words
  • Words presented in alphabetical order
  • Search by parts of speech
  • Control search results within settings
  • Word pronunciations
  • North American, British, Australian and International English setting options

WordSift
WordSift  is a website developed by Stanford University to help ELL students. Users copy and paste text into a text box, then the program and transforms it into visual display of vocabulary. There is a wordle, image search and visual thesaurus available. Great free resource that works on the iPad. Below is a video tutorial on how to use Wordsift.