My Take
I do like the availability of Shakespeare on mobile devices, and the ability of text to speech. However, I would use No Fear Shakespeare over this app with general students. However, in an AP English class, I might use this app.
How I Use It
The app is not overly engaging to students. The app simply presents the work of Shakespeare. While it is nice to read on the iPads, Shakespeare can get dry very quickly when presented to teenagers. All the app does is present the work.
More community reviews for The Sonnets, by Shakespeare
Tracey W.
Digital Literacy Learning Specialist
Bronx, NY
February 15, 2015
Singing Through Shakespeare
The Sonnets by Shakespeare app is the perfect tool to stimulate more thorough understanding of Shakespeare in the classroom. This app allows the user to search sonnets by first line index, key words or sonnet by sonnet. Students can read sonnets on their own, or listen to them read aloud, which is especially helpful for English language learners, low level literacy or special needs populations. Videos and visuals of artwork play as the sonnet is read aloud. This reinforces comprehension and expands the student's vocabulary. One particularly nice feature is the app has a share button that allows users to share the sonnets with other users through email or social media. The computer generated voice makes good use of intonation and it allows students to work independently or in small groups. What would make the app even handier would be to have a modern day translation in teenage slang and lingo.Teachers can save time and use this app to pair with a nonfiction text in order to prepare students for ELA exams.
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