Clicker Books

Crick Software has a series of learning tools in the UK that are used very extensively. So far, 90% of Primary Schools in the UK use their software on their PCs. The company has been around for over 20 years, a fact which is evident in the quality of their apps.  At the EAS we had the opportunity to review the Clicker Sentences and also Clicker Docs app - both of which received the top rating of 5 Stars EAS Recommended Status. So, we had very high expectations for this app too.

Clicker Books did not disappoint. This is an app that teachers will love  to teach with and pupils will love learning from.  It can also be used in the home with the help of parents.  Right from the start, the app is very easy and intuitive to use as there are a series of examples and “how to” tools that help with a quick learning of the navigation and usage of the app.

Each page contains the possibility to edit the title box, insert or draw a picture and create further text.  There is also another button so that users can record their own sounds or narration for the book creations.  Every single time that the user writes a sentence, the device reads the content out loud so that users can review their content. We decided to test what might happen when a mischievous child has the “fantastic idea” to write a few swear words and we are afraid to say that the device accepted them and would say them out loud too.  If the software is smart enough to recognise incorrect spellings and words, it might be a good idea to insert this child-safety feature too.

Despite this hiccup in “liberal” acceptance of words, the app still has the ability to teach and make users critically assess their own work. For other incorrect spellings, there is a Word Predictor and Word Bank that teachers can add to so that children  can continue to learn and correct their spellings by themselves. Additionally, the app allows access to a vast resource of topic-specific reading books and book-making templates which meet national curriculum standards.

This is an incredibly useful tool for usage in the classroom.  Firstly, the level of the users can be from early reading and writing learners to early secondary school years where more complex writing projects and critical thinking skills are assessed.

For younger children, the app can support whole-class reading exercises so that teachers can highlight specific words. Furthermore, teachers can create personalised reading tools for learners. It would make a fantastic tool for long-term projects such as writing diary entries or creating projects on the Tudors and Stuarts and Literature projects.  The scope is immense and this app can support as much creativity as you like.

A great feature is that after the books are finished they can be converted into PDF format and shared via email, Dropbox or printed via an AirPrint-compatible printer.  This allows children to send work to their teachers and then discuss the projects in the classroom or, to send their projects to their grandparents once completed! 

You can download Clicker Books on your iOS devices from the Apple App Store.