Teaching present, past, and future verb tenses has never been easier with the Tense Builder app by the Mobile Education Store! With two levels of play, short video clips, and a variety of settings, this app will surely please any crowd. This app has been on my iPad since its release in 2012 and I still use it for teaching verb tenses twelve years later! For those who have not seen it before, let me show you the settings and two levels of play.
Over a decade ago, I was given this app so I could put it to the test and offer a first person, hands on review of the product.
PROS:
- Ability to record answers to foster expressive language and articulation practice.
- Engaging video clips that hold attention
- Leveled game play
- Built-in teaching tool
Settings Screen:
The following features can be switched on or off:
- Audio Instructions: select to play the same direction on each screen.
- Answer Reinforcement: a naturally sounding voice repeats the correct sentence.
- Record Correct Answer: clients work on their own expressive skills and gain auditory feedback by recording their voice reading the accurate sentence. Also a great option to work on articulation of sounds at the sentence level. My young examiners LOVED this feature!
Levels of Play
Level 1: clients match a sentence to the correct picture in a field of three. First, you hit the “Play Video” button and then watch a short clip. The clips are really fun and they contain sound effects that delighted my clients! Next, you will see one of the scenes from the movie. Last, you tap the correct picture answer.
Level 2: clients must drag the correct verb tense to complete the sentence. You can select future, present, past, or all verb tenses for either level. Again, you must first watch an animated video. While the videos only use sound effects, you may see some word bubbles above characters.
In this level, the word choice you select is said aloud as you begin to drag the word or word phrase to the top of the page to complete the sentence. I especially like this feature because it allows clients self correct errors. You can also set how many choices you want to display. This way, you can start at an easy level with three choices and increase the challenge gradually to as many as seven choices.
Tense: select future/ present/ past/ all
Regular/ Irregular Verbs/ All: select one or both for a mixed play
Lesson Style: chose between a “long” or “short” lesson. Should you hit the “Play lesson” on a picture screen, you will get a lesson about the verb target. Regardless of which type of lesson you chose, short or long, you will see a visual demonstration with verbal instructions. Yet another, great feature!
I hope that you get a chance to try this app at home! At $9.99, it’s an affordable and interactive option for teaching verb tenses. This gem made it to my top 10 list of favorite apps.
Nanette Cote
Nanette Cote is an ASHA certified speech pathologist, published author, and private practice business owner with 30 years experience.
