Common Core Language Screener 4+

This was not worth the money. It is like putting a paper based screener on the IPad. I had to write the students responses for my notes. The students quickly figured out that the IPad was not responding to them. They didn't even bother to touch the pictures. Why not have the IPad ask them the questions (with a repeat button as needed, for those who need repetition to focus). The kids would love responding with a recorded answer. Why not use the IPad's ability to record responses. Maybe even an occasional animation (for action words perhaps?). And a click sound and occasional encouragement for completing tasks. Lastly, while this does give a basic overview of student performance, there is no depth to any of the tasks. Direction tasks should include more than a simple 2 step action command (touch your head and clap your hands). As an SLP this gives me little to go on. Lastly, it would've been helpful to address a wider age level. I love many of my Smarty Ears apps! But I feel cheated on this one.

For a company that puts out materials for SLPs this app ignores most of the speaking/listening/language goals from the Common Core standards. The academic materials for reading and writing are fine but not where my work is focussed. The beginnings are alright, but this needs a lot of revision before it will be on my regular used apps. I should have read the reviews first but I've always liked the Smarty Ears products.

I was hoping for more language items overall and less literacy items (such as in the CELF 4 Screener) because I would a screener to determine if a formal language evaluation was needed. (Alphabet, counting, etc...would be more academic and is already covered by beginning of the year classroom teacher testing). I would be looking for more language information when screening.
More items per area would be useful too (possibly 10). Also there is no criterion score comparison to determine how a student did overall when compared to others his/her age.