Just stumbled across this press release hawking a new app for language learners – a learning tool to supplement the curricula of immersion programs around the world.
Sounded interesting. Then I law the introductory price of $3.99.
Seems high considering most apps sell for $1 – many are free. Even at that price many developers turn a profit, (think Angry Birds).
Made me wonder if the education market is ripe for price inflation. After all, we parents are a captive audience, hungry for anything to give our kids a competitive edge. Then I saw this Deseret News story about high-priced apps in the $50 to $999 range – pricing schemes that appear to have no rhyme or reason.
Do you have a favorite app you use at home with your kids? Share! Or check out our resources page where you’ll find free online and other tools to help your Mandarin learner.
Boston, Ma (PRWEB) May 06, 2013
Noyo, an educational software company based in Boston, is pleased to announce the release of Noyo Immersion language apps in the iTunes store. With versions in Spanish, the immersion-only version of their powerful vocabulary-building iPad app.
This engaging learning tool is designed to teach vocabulary and supplement the curricula of immersion programs in classrooms around the world. Following the educational principles of language immersion programs, Noyo Immersion apps features lively graphics, built-in assessment questions, and professional audio and content text exclusively in the target language.
“This new version allows educators to use our apps in an immersive language-learning setting,” said co-creator Mike Sullivan, who serves as Chief Learning Officer of Noyo. “We are thrilled to bring Noyo’s exciting, innovative vocabulary-building system to language immersion classrooms.”
Noyo Immersion was developed specifically with educators from Spanish immersion schools and online Spanish immersion programs in mind, providing them with a tool to engage students and enrich lessons taught exclusively in Spanish. We are new expanding these immersion only apps to French, Portuguese, English and Chinese.
Like earlier versions of Noyo, Noyo Immersion links vocabulary words to entertaining images and high-quality audio to provide a strong educational foundation for language learning. A talented team of graphic design artists brings vocabulary to life with comical characters and amusing scenarios, and each word or phrase is voiced by a native speakers. The app offers eight targeted vocabulary units, each with its own set of assessment questions for maximally effective learning.
All text and audio in the vocabulary-building and assessment slides are presented in the target language for an immersion experience.
Noyo was created through the combined vision of popular middle school teacher Sullivan and innovative mobile software entrepreneur Ted Chan, who specializes in mobile user interface design. Noyo Spanish Immersion follows from their vision of quality, affordable language learning software that fits the needs of students and educators.
“We created an immersion version of our beginner vocab app as a direct result of feedback we received from Spanish teachers in Arizona,” said Micaya Clymer, Product Manager for Noyo. “We read and respond to every email we receive, and we’re hoping this will lead to even more awesome feedback and suggestions from educators. Tell us what you need, and we’ll try to make it!”
Features of Noyo Immersion apps include:
-Over 1800 vocabulary words and phrases, each reinforced by supporting audio and visual representation
-All vocabulary items presented in target language only, for an immersion experience
-194 custom-illustrated scenes, packed with friendly characters and amusing scenarios
-Audio by a professional voice artist who is a native speaker
-Built-in target language-only assessment questions at the end of each unit
-Intuitive, user-friendly navigation system
-8 targeted units, featuring vocabulary related to:
-Food
-Travel
-The City
-House and Home
-Seasons
-Animals
Noyo language apps can be purchased for an introductory price of $3.99. There is always a 50% volume discount for educators who have iPad programs at their schools.
Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/5/prweb10699903.htm
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1227345#ixzz2ScBfceef