Review Overview
A. Instruction - 6.8
B. Design - 7.5
C. Engagement - 6.9
7.1
Zinkerz TOEFL: An App for ELLs
Summary : Daily Practice for ELLs
TOEFL Preparation supports users developing their English skills on and offline with mini-tutorials. After registering with the app and viewing its overview video, users are encouraged to take an optional Diagnostic Test that presents them with a variety of reading, listening, speaking, and writing questions. Users are presented with the results of their test before starting their daily activities, which presents users with flashcards and exercises. The “Flashcards” option allows users to decide if they know or do not know a word by tapping the corresponding button. The “Exercises” option presents users with practice test items that develop their English communication skills. When answering a question, users can tap the “Pencil” icon on the top right of the screen to annotate the question. After completing an exercise, users are presented with their performance data. Additionally, after every four lessons, users are presented with a full or mini test that assesses their learning up to that point.
Please Note: The description provided above only targets the content available for free. Users will have to make an in-app purchase to access all of the app’s content.
Instructional Ideas
- As independent practice, teachers can have students complete the diagnostic test and then complete one daily practice a day. Students can graph their daily practice results to document their growth over time.
- Teachers can have students complete the diagnostic test early in the school year and use that assessment data to plan future instruction.
- When students are reviewing flashcards and come across a word they do not know, they can create a Frayer Word Box for that word and hang it on a classroom wall. That way, when the teacher assigns a writing assignment, they can require students to reference and use one or more words from the wall in their writing.
- When completing exercises, teachers can have students use the pencil tool to annotate key words and phrases in the question that may help them select the correct answer.
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 |