Spell Trekking by Centra Professional Services – Review

Space Station #2: 59 Lessons. Spelling age 12+ years. Sample words: musicians, eerie

This is a very unusual spelling app because of it’s multi-sensory approach. It uses the principles of motor learning – including sight, touch, hearing, and speaking. This improves retention of the skills as does the repetition built in to the app. Each word is typed at least twice in a row, and core words are  repeated in different sentences in different lessons. It teaches proper punctuation and capitalisation, is good practice for typing, listening, spelling and reading. The space theme works well – it has  cute illustrations, music, sound effects, space trivia and a chance to fly the rocket which all help to engage the student in the app. I would like to see multiple player profiles as this is an app suitable for a wide range of ages, so many families will have more than one child using it. I would also like the option to re-record the audio without repeating the lesson, in case the child has problems reading or speaking clearly on the first attempt. For older students learning to type on a QWERTY keyboard is definitely the preferred option, but it would be nice to have the option to use an ABC keyboard when using the app with younger students. Although the app is written in US English occasional Britishisms do slip through e.g. using full stop instead of period and mum instead of mom.

I am not a fan of in-app purchases (IAPs), but in this case I can see why the developer has chosen to do it this way. It allows you to see part of each of the levels, and to give you the option to buy just the ones that are at your child’s level, or to buy the whole app. I would like to see another full version of the app without IAPs, so that schools and individuals who wish to avoid IAP’s have an alternative. I would also like to see the IAP’s locked away in a parent only screen rather than being easily accessible. This app has an incredible amount of material in it, and is well worth the free download to check it out (I would leave IAPs switched off in your iPad settings until you decide whether or not to purchase them). I think the full unlock is a very good value at $9.99, and once you have done this there are no external links in the app. It contains no social media links or adverts. Update Dec 2012: The developer has responded and changed the app to a paid app containing all 720 lesons – it no longer contains IAP’s

Overall, I think this app has an incredible amount of potential, there are a few changes I’d like to see before I can give it 5 stars but it definitely has 5 star potential . This app is unusual for it’s multi-sensory approach, and it is based IDL – a system CENTRA has successfully used for the past 25 years. I think it is a very useful app both for individuals with Dyslexia, and for anyone who needs help with their spelling and reading. The full app has a huge amount of material and is good value at $9.99. I definitely recommend downloading it and checking it out.