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StoryBuilder for iPad

StoryBuilder for iPad
Features

Price

$12.99

Age Range

Lower Primary & Upper Primary

App Type

Learning App

Version Reviewed

1.9

Android Available?

Is Android Available

Lite Version Available?

Is a Lite Version Available

Help Provided?

Is Help Provided
Bloom's Thinking Process
CreatingBlooms Creating
EvaluatingBlooms Evaluating
AnalysingBlooms Analysing
ApplyingBlooms Applying
UnderstandingBlooms Understanding
RememberingBlooms Remembering
Adaptability
Add own voice
Includes text
Includes images
Review Comments
StoryBuilder asks children to record answers to questions about pictures, then knits these together create an original story. I was pleased to see how one child I work with realised "So you ask yourself questions and that's how you make a story".  StoryBuilder includes colour cartoon images of scenes with both written and spoken questions. The child records their own voice.
 
I like the way that the child is encouraged to answer the questions using a complete sentence. The question might be "Where is the cat?" Many children would answer "under the table". However, the first part of the answer can be written to encourage the child to answer "The cat is under the table".
 
This app includes questions about feelings. This is terrific for children on the spectrum who may recount the facts of a story, but may not consider the emotion of the story.
 
The upper levels involve the student using high level language processing to reflect and infer.
   
Levels: There are 3 levels of difficulty
 
1.  Four questions are asked. These questions are quite straightforward and concrete.
2.  Seven questions are asked. These questions involve reflecting on what may have happened before and after the picture.
3.  The question is written only.
 
 
Use Rank (*)
Questions Ranked 2nd of 34

(*) This app has been ranked according to its' effectiveness to achieve the learning goals and strategies listed. Some apps may rank highly for achieving a specific use and lower for other uses. Some students will learn and engage with one app more than others, because of the individual nature of us all.

Learning App
Learning apps are designed for a specific purpose. The authors claim to teach a goal, skill or concept.
Bloom's Thinking Process
Bloom's Taxonomy is classification system used to explain the behaviours important in learning. Apps range from simple memory tasks such as flashcards apps through to creative apps which ask students to create an original story or video.
Bloom's Creating
The student creates new ideas, products or ways of viewing things. Activities include making, animating, designing, constructing, planning, producing and inventing.
Bloom's Evaluating
The student justifies a decision or course of action. Activities include counting to check, hypothesising, critiquing, experimenting and judging.
Bloom's Analysing
The student breaks the information into parts to explore understandings and relationships. Activities include explaining, ordering, inferring, comparing and organising.
Bloom's Applying
The student uses the information in a new situation. Activities include implementing, carrying out, using, illustrating, classifying and categorising.
Bloom's Understanding
The student comprehends the new information. Activities include describing, predicting showing understanding use a multiple choice.
Bloom's Remembering
The student recalls information they know. Activities include matching, 'fill in the blank', making a choice, answering using a multiple choice, naming a group.
Learning Connection
How well does the app teach the targeted skill or concept? This is the area where we refer to current research and pedagogy to evaluate the efficacy of the app.
Authenticity
Authenticity looks at the manner in which skills are learnt. Authentic apps use real life or genuine activities. Students learn in context rather than in a contrived or rote fashion (such as flashcards).
Feedback
Feedback needs to be specific and result in improved performance. Feedback should be supportive and encouraging rather than negative. Data should be available to support decision making.
Differentiation
Differentiation is the ability to customise the app to suit the student. The ability to record you voice, customise text, add pictures and alter settings enables individualisation of the app.
User Friendliness
User friendliness is a measure of how well a student can use the app independently. Some apps are simply intuitive to use. Others include audio or visual prompts which support the student.
Motivation
All apps are engaging the first time they are played. However, students with diverse learning needs may need to return to the app many times. Motivating apps offer rewards,games or incentives.
Questions
These are apps which encourage students to ask or answer a question. Some apps ask simple concrete questions (What's that?) and some ask abstract questions (Why do you think that happened?). Also see apps for language comprehension, saying sentences and grammar.

Domain Score Details
Learning Connection 3
This app takes the child through the steps in making a story. It also encourages the child to answer questions. Some hints would be useful for children who struggle. Maybe some key word suggestions would help.
Authenticity 4
This is a great app to teach children how to create their own story. After lots of play, children may begin to understand story structure when using this app.
Feedback 1
There are no right or wrong answers in this app. Creativity is encouraged. The child receives feedback by listening to their own story. The child can record their answers and listen to them later.
Differentiation 4
There are 3 levels of difficulty. Question reinforcement and the background highlighting of the question can be changed.
User Friendliness 4
This app is very easy to use and navigate. There are both verbal setting instructions and written game playing instruction.
Motivation 4
The number of combinations including 500 audio clips, gives enough variety to the app to keep students coming back. The students I work with love to hear their story told back to them.
From the App Store
iTunes logo

Developer

Mobile Education Store LLC

App Store Rating

(from 2 reviews)

Current Version Rating

(from 2 reviews)

Current Version

2.3.0
App 1st Screenshot
App 2nd Screenshot
App 3rd Screenshot
App 4th Screenshot
App 5th Screenshot

Developer's Description
Winner - Best reading app of 2011 by the Huffington Post. Own as an individual app or as part of our MES Speech Therapy Bundle.

Story Builder is designed to help children accomplish the following educational goals: 1) Improve paragraph formation; 2) Improve integration of ideas; and 3) Improve higher level abstractions by inference. Extensive use of audio clips promotes improved auditory processing for special needs children with autism spectrum disorders or sensory processing disorders.

Story Builder offers a rich and fun environment for improving the ability to create a narrative.

FEATURES
-Record feature allows students to record narrative in their own voice
-3 levels of play
-Simple and intuitive interface to record narrative
-Recorded answers are stitched together to create complete narrative
-Stories can be archived for later play
-Each student gets their own archive page
-Stories can be emailed
-50 distinct story lines to create narrative from
-Import photos from camera or library
-500 audio clips of questions to guide narrative
-Optional question text and answer introduction reinforcement

LANGUAGES
- English

REQUIREMENTS
- Compatible with iPad
- Requires iOS 4.2 software update

StoryBuilder is part of "The Builder Series" of award winning education apps. Mobile Education Store has won over 40 app awards and has been named educational developer of the year in 2011 and 2012.

Mobile Education Tools is a member of Moms with Apps, a collaborative group of family-friendly developers seeking to promote quality apps for kids and families.
Recommended Ages: 6-10, 10+
Categories: Special Needs

Disclaimer: The evaluations and rankings information provided here are based solely on the opinion of the author and are for informational purposes only. Families should seek professional advice before making decisions regarding interventions for their child.