Entries are a tad more accessible for younger learners, with a larger and bolder font and less content than Dictionary.com. Unfortunately, there are no built-in games, no illustrations (except in the premium version), only rarely links within entries, and none of the front matter found in the traditional book format to help learners learn how to read entries.
Unlike Dictionary.com, Dictionary – Merriam-Webster’s voice recognition offers alternatives, though they’re sometimes absurd, like single letters or words or phrases with no entry. Unfortunately, the voice-recognition feature seems to foul up data connections (which it relies on for matches), can hang up searches, and sometimes goes down entirely.
Website: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.merriamwebster
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id399452287?uo=4&at=10laCG&ct=website
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006DJ2JSI?tag=comsenmed07-20
Overall User Consensus About the App
Student Engagement
Dictionary – Merriam-Webster is a reference tool with little in the way of built-in engagement. You get no pictures (although the premium version has pictures) and few links within entries.
Curriculum and Instruction
Some customization and continuity but no information on how to read entries. No dictionary-based games.
Customer Report
The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. There are no extensions or links to www.m-w.com, and voice recognition is inconsistent.
