AT App Review App Name: My Smart Hands- ASL Dictionary

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By: Alicia Giannelli, EC-SEAT Scholar

App Name: MySmart Hands- ASL Dictionary


Cost: My Smart Hands offers a few different apps with different costs: ASL Dictionary Lite Version (free/ beginner level), ASL Dictionary Baby Signing ($.99, beginner level), ASL Baby Signing Dictionary (free/intermediate level), Baby Signing - ASL intermediate ($.99)

Positives- I downloaded the two free versions to see the difference in the beginner and intermediate levels. These apps have many great features. The apps have many signs with pictures, video and audio that help teach the user the sign. There are also different categories that can be chosen to focus on with multiple signs for each category. Users are able to save favorites and can complete quizzes to test a person memory of the signs they have learned. The quizzes can be adjusted based on number of answers and number of questions ask as well as what type of signs are being quizzed. One of my favorite features is that a person can search for specific signs if they are looking for something specific without having to find the correct category it is related too.
App screenshot

App Screenshot

Drawbacks- One drawback that I found is that it may be too challenging for a young child to use independently. This app would be best utilized if a parent or adult is using the app with the child. I feel the best results will come from small group or one on one usage of the apps and focusing on a small number of signs at a time. As a child grows, they will be able to use the apps to better their signing and learn more signs but this may not be till the children are at least 7 or 8 years and learn how to read. The app will help people learn the signs but will not help put them into sentences unfortunately.  The pictures associated with each sign are helpful but some are not specifically clear as to what the sign means. These apps do not have a large amount of signs but definitely have enough to get children and adults started in there ASL journey and feeling more confident with the signs they know. 


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