App Review: Poems by Heart

App Name: Poems By Heart

Cost: Free (With In App Purchases)

What does it promise?: The Poems By Heart app from Penguin Classics offers a library of some of the most beloved poems from famous poets, ranging from Edgar Allen Poe and William Blake to William Shakespeare. It also provides a way for students to memorize the classic poems in preparation for a recital at the front of the class, or perhaps a short reenactment.

Does it deliver?: Yes. The app is very effective in teaching students how to memorize classic poems. There is a feature that allows users to listen to the poem with a male or female’s voice reciting it. Repetition of a poem, like a song, can aid in the memorization of the words. Users can repeat the poem as many times as it’s deemed necessary for them to fully grasp all of the words. After repetition, users can choose to the “Learn This” section where they go through the poem with missing words that they must fill in. If the answer is wrong, the correct answer is provided, however, there is no limit to the amount of times users can repeat the learning process. Once a user is completely confident, they can even record themselves reciting the poem.

Can I use it in the classroom?: Yes. This app is great for English classes especially those with a heavy focus on classic poems. It would be best used in grades 6-12 as the poems could be a bit too challenging for students in lower levels. The fact that the app can be read out loud should also appeal to educators. Overall, the app can be a great way for students to prepare for in-class recitals as well as a way for teachers to help students learn individually or together with their classmates.

App review by Navindra Persaud, Education World Contributor

3/25/2015