Improving Vocabulary Blog.ORG

Building vocabulary at any age is an easy way to advance in communication and comprehension.  However, to do this, there is the need to have new methodologies that provide instantaneous results.  This promises better comprehension and capabilities for speaking among others that are interested in creating an understanding on different levels.  One of the newest approaches now being used for word use and vocabulary building is vocab software.  This allows individuals to take a new approach to learning and comprehension.

There are several types of vocab software options now on the market.  This includes Ultimate Vocabulary, Ultimate Word Attack, Wordsmart, Vocabulary Skills, eWords, Gocabulary and Super Tutor.  All these software devices are designed with ways to build vocabulary, memorize various words and to play games that help with comprehension.  However, many pedagogical studies have found that, while software tools all help to build vocabulary, some are more effective then others in offering the best results.

The main concept you want to search for when you are looking into software tools is whether it offers a diversity of applications for success.  This includes the ability to browse and discover what words combined with enhanced features that introduce you to dictionary and thesaurus words.  Tracking your progress and using exercises and tests should also be a part of this.  The use of these different qualities provides better comprehension because it offers the new to the known, combined with in depth processing of words and the ability to comprehend words at different levels.  Through various studies, these attributes are known to work most effectively with students that are learning vocabulary9.

The capabilities reached from this are a complete interaction of the words and application for individuals looking into the vocab software.  Doing this on various levels provides a new social and cultural context of the words and builds levels of understanding for better comprehension of the words.  The software devices now used are expected to continue changing and expanding pedagogical approaches as well as knowledge building cultures, so there is a better level of comprehension through various levels and qualities offered through different types of vocab software.  This includes processes that can now be used for building more depth with vocabulary and applying it on the various levels needed10.

Because of the research found with vocab software, as well as the potential that can be reached by creating different levels of understanding, are several who have also found that vocabulary software is not always built the same.  Several types of software only include one or two-dimensional components for building vocabulary, while leaving out levels of comprehension and understanding.  The only way to acquire the qualities and characteristics needed for depths of understanding is “Ultimate Vocabulary,” which includes ways to discover vocabulary from the basic concepts needed and to advanced needs.  The result is the ability for the vocab software to have a supportive approach to expanding software needs.

10 Scardamalia, Marlene, Carl Bereiter.  (2006).  Knowledge Building: Theory, Pedagogy and Technology. Cambridge University Press: New York.