Shakespeare in Bits

[asa_item id="373763461"] Shakespeare in Bits supports users in understanding Shakespearean plays. From the main screen, users can tap the “Play” button to read and view specific scenes of a play, and then they can tap the “Notes” and/or “Synopsis” buttons to read a summary and interpretation of a play. Users can also tap the “My Notes” button to record their thoughts about the scene they read or viewed. To see the different acts and scenes in a play, users can tap the “Scenes” button on the home screen, and they can learn about the characters by tapping the “Cast” button.…

Review Overview

A. Instruction - 6
B. Design - 7.5
C. Engagement - 7.1

6.9

Shakespeare In Bits: A Best App for Shakespeare

Summary : Support for Shakespeare

[asa_item id=”373763461″]

Shakespeare in Bits supports users in understanding Shakespearean plays. From the main screen, users can tap the “Play” button to read and view specific scenes of a play, and then they can tap the “Notes” and/or “Synopsis” buttons to read a summary and interpretation of a play. Users can also tap the “My Notes” button to record their thoughts about the scene they read or viewed. To see the different acts and scenes in a play, users can tap the “Scenes” button on the home screen, and they can learn about the characters by tapping the “Cast” button. For an entire summary and interpretation of the play, users can tap the “Analysis” button. Finally, the app provides a place for users to write down their thoughts and ideas, which can be accessed by tapping the “My Notes” button.

Please note: Only a limited number of scenes from Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet can be accessed for free. Users will have to make an in-app purchase to access additional content.

Instructional Ideas

  1. After reading a scene, teachers can find the corresponding video of the scene and play it for students. After viewing the video, teachers can ask students: (1) Does the video accurately portray what happened in the scene? (2) If you were going to create a video of the scene, would it look similar or different from this video? (3) Explain if the video helped your understanding of the scene or not.
  2. After reading a scene and using this app to learn more about the scene, teachers can have students summarize the scene and write three pieces of information that they learned from this app.
  3. After reading a scene, teachers can direct students to information listed in this app that is related to the scene. Teachers can then have students review the information before beginning a comprehension activity, such as completing a graphic organizer, engaging in a class discussion, or drafting a piece of writing.
  4. After reading a scene, teachers can have students review the information listed about the character in the “Cast” section of this app. Next, teachers can have students write additional information for the character. Example writing prompts to support student writing include: (1) What are this character’s strengths and weaknesses? (2) Is this character moral and ethical, or does this character engage in questionable behavior? (3) How is this character related, either socially or by blood, to other characters?
  5. After reading a scene, teachers can have students write their favorite line(s) from it in the “My Notes” section of this app. In their writing, students can provide a justification explaining why they selected the lines and what the lines mean to them.
A1. Rigor
A2. 21st Century Skills
A3. Conn. to Future Learning
A4. Value of Errors
A5. Feedback to Teacher
A6. Level of Material
A7. Cooperative Learning
A8. Accom. of Individual Diff.
B1. Ability to Save Progress
B2. Platform Integration
B3. Screen Design
B4. Ease of Use
B5. Navigation
B6. Goal Orientation
B7. Information Presentation
B8. Media Integration
B9. Cultural Sensitivity
C1. Learner Control
C2. Interactivity
C3. Pace
C4. Flexibility
C5. Interest
C6. Aesthetics
C7. Utility

Screenshots

The app was not found in the store. 🙁