Athabasca University research study validates that Simplex Spelling apps significantly improve spelling skills.
A 2014 study, carried out by Dr. Linda Chmiliar and Serena Seeger at Athabasca University, followed two class rooms and 23 students with learning disabilities who used the Simplex Spelling series of apps for 10-15 minutes a day for approximately 1-2 days a week over an 18-week period. Students took the Schonell Spelling Test at the beginning and end of the research period, which revealed an average rise of 1.9 grade levels among students involved. Remarkably, the largest grade improvement observed for a student during the study was 4.4 grade levels.
Simplex Spelling wins “Best Educational App of 2014”
Balefire Labs has awarded Simplex Spelling Phonics – Advanced Phonograms its “Best Educational App of 2014” award. In 2014 Balefire Labs reviewed more than 2,000 educational apps in different categories for ages 0-19+ years with only 18 apps receiving the “Best Educational App of 2014” award. We are honored that Simplex Spelling received this award in the category of “Best English Language Arts Apps”.
Smart Apps for Kids rates Simplex Spelling the Best of the Best
Pyxwise is excited that our Simplex Spelling apps earned two spots on the new Smart Apps For Kids lists of “Top 10 Apps”. Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 and Phonics 2 made their list of “The Best of the Best” for both first and second grades.
Simplex Spelling nominated for a Bammy Award.
Pyxwise is thrilled that Simplex Spelling has been nominated for a Bammy “Ed Tech” Award. The Bammy “EdTech” Awards recognize the best-in-class education apps, teaching tools and education-related web sites. In order to assist educators and recognize the most useful tools, BAM radio station created the Bammy Edtech Award. The awards are presented by the Academy of Education Arts and Sciences International, which includes leading educators, journalists, editors, advocates, and activists.
More top grades from Balefire Labs honoring Simplex Spelling.
Balefire Labs has awarded five more Pyxwise apps their “Top Rated” status. Balefire Labs is committed to improving children’s education by guiding parents and educators in navigating the confusing world of educational apps through being a non-biased, objective source of product reviews. To determine the instructional effectiveness of the apps that they review, Balefire Labs uses research-based criteria. All of Pyxwise’s Simplex Spelling apps have now received the Balefire Labs “Top Rated” badge.
Masters in ESL names Simplex Spelling as one of their favorite apps.
Masters in ESL recognized the best apps out there for learning and practicing English. We are thrilled that Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 was included in their list of favorite ESL and TESOL apps.
Spellyfish wins the Gold Mom’s Choice Award.
Spellyfish Phonics – Short A Words has been named among the best in family-friendly media, products and services by the Mom’s Choice Awards. Pyxwise is honored that Spellyfish received the highest Gold Award from the Mom’s Choice Awards.
Balefire Labs honors Pyxwise apps with a top grade.
We are thrilled to announce that Balefire Labs has awarded three Pyxwise apps their “Top Rated” status. Balefire Labs is committed to improving children’s education by guiding parents and educators in navigating the confusing world of educational apps through being a non-biased, objective source of product reviews. To determine the instructional effectiveness of the apps that they review, Balefire Labs uses research-based criteria. Simplex Spelling – Free Lite, Spellyfish Phonics – Short A Words and Spellyfish Phonics – Short I Words have all recieved their “Top Rated” status.
Apple features Simplex Spelling Phonics – Rhyming With CVC Words
We are pleased to announce that Simplex Spelling Phonics – Rhyming With CVC Words has been featured by Apple as a “Best New App” in the US education category of the App Store.
Simplex Spelling Phonics – Rhyming With CVC Words now available!
Pyxwise Software is pleased to announce that Simplex Spelling Phonics – Rhyming With CVC Words, became available on the App Store December 16, 2013. This new version of Simplex Spelling teaches more than 300 consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words that cover all five of the short vowel sounds. The concepts taught are strongly aligned with the US Common Core State Standards for building foundational skills in reading for Kindergarten.
Best Apps For Kids reviews Spellyfish Phonics
The great site Best Apps For Kids was kind enough to take the time to review Spellyfish – Short I Words giving our new app 5/5 stars and an Editor’s Choice Award and Spellyfish Phonics – Short A Words, which also earned 5/5 stars. Be sure to check out both reviews for Spellyfish I Words & Spellyfish A Words.
Spellyfish Phonics – Short I Words:
“For parents looking for an engaging app that will help children learn to read, spell, and sound out their letters, Spellyfish Phonics- Short I Words is a great app. Through a variety of short word lessons, wonderful graphics, and an underwater concept, children are going to love learning to spell simple three letter words.”
“Spellyfish Short I Words is an awesome educational app that uses a variety of lessons to teach children how to spell in fun under water environment.”
“Priced at just under a dollar this app is an absolute steal! Parents and teachers don’t want to miss out on this app and all the wonderful educational features that it includes.”
“Teachers will certainly find this to be an awesome addition to the classroom for not a lot of money.”
Spellyfish Phonics – Short A Words:
“Another great Spellyfish app that will engage children in learning to spell, read, and sound out short words. Perfect for young children wanting to get a jump start on their reading skills.”
“It is always nice to find phonics apps that are engaging and educational and the Spellyfish apps are excellent for early learners. “
“While many educational apps tend to lack a bit of entertainment, there is something about the Spellyfish apps that really keep children engaged. On top of the awesome illustrations and sound effects, children who enjoy challenges and goal oriented apps will enjoy this one.”
“This is one app you don’t want to miss for your preschooler.”
“Spellyfish Phonics from developer Pyxwise goes beyond teaching short I vowel families and usage and addresses phonemic awareness skills, word decoding, letter sounds, blending — you name it.”
“If your kiddo needs a little extra help along the way, orange and yellow starfish help him locate sounds and letters for added visual and auditory support. Working in special education I’m all about apps that add in differentiated instruction for me.”
“The graphics in this app are top-notch and not too distracting from the boat-loads of learning that take place inside this app.”
“Spellyfish is one of those rare apps that is useful and educational enough to be used in the classroom by teachers, assistants, and interventionists alike, but not so intimidating that a parent or other caregiver couldn’t download it and make use of it for home practice. At only 99 cents, the content is more than what you pay for, instead of the other way around.”
Spellyfish Phonics – Short I Words now available!
Pyxwise Software is pleased to announce that Spellyfish Phonics – Short I Words, became available on the App Store November 22, 2013. Spellyfish the jellyfish will take your child on a journey to learn phonics as your child learns how to spell consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words that contain the letter ‘I’ and the short /i/ sound.
Spellyfish ‘I’ words is aligned with the US Common Core Standards for building foundational skills in reading for Kindergarten.
Long Island News Day picks Spellyfish as their new #3 Fun & Educational App
Maria Bailey, the host of Mom Talk Radio lists her top 5 fun and educational apps on Long Island News Day. Spellyfish – Short A Words earned a spot at #3.
“Spellyfish is a great new spelling app from the makers of the Simplex Spelling apps, my favorite spelling apps for older kids. “
“This app is an absolute necessity for any teacher or parent of a kindergarten or first grade student (or students spelling at the early level.) It very effectively teaches letter sounds, basic spelling, and even vocabulary. I’ll be using it a lot this year, both with my 6 year old daughter and my speech-language therapy students at school.”
“Every so often, an app comes along that I instantly love and know is going to be a winner with my kids. Spellyfish – Short A Words was one of those apps. This app has it all: Fantastic graphics, wonderful animation, educational content and FUN! Your preschoolers and Kindergarteners will have a great time in this underwater phonics adventure with the adorable “Spellyfish” the Jelly Fish and his ocean friends.”
“I had my Kindergartener sit down and play this app last night and he was instantly hooked. He played 2 rounds and did not want to give it up when it was time to get ready for bed. In fact, he asked to play the app first thing when he woke up this morning! I absolutely LOVE apps that make learning fun for my kids. Parents and teachers alike are sure to love this app. Spellyfish – Short A Words gets 10 gold “starfish” from me. I hope that there are more letter sounds to follow!”
“Spellyfish works on important pre-reading skills- phonological and phonemic awareness, sound blending, rhyming, recognizing lower and uppercase letters as well as keyboard skills. As well as being suitable for Kindergarten students; the audio and visual cues, large keyboard (with vowels color-coded) and variable hint system make it a great app for Special Needs children.”
“I have been using this app with my six-year-old daughter who is just starting first grade (but still working on mastering these words) and she really enjoys using it to work on her spelling and reading skills. As she has been struggling with learning to read it was really reassuring to see her confidently sounding out words and working out how to spell them with Spellyfish as her guide. This is a really well-done app and I’d love to see more apps in this series covering more word groups for beginning readers.”
“Overall, a great app for beginning readers, Spellyfish has a cute underwater theme, fun sound effects and engaging characters. It introduces children to spelling and reading 30 cvc words such as cat, rag, Sam, pat and van. It is very customizable, tracks multiple users, is great for Special Needs children and costs only 99c, highly recommended ! A must-have app for Kindergarten students.”
“I look at Spellyfish- Short “A” Words, and I see an app that has been designed by someone who knows how to teach beginning readers. Spellyfish- Short “A” Words helps lay a solid foundation for phonemic awareness, the ability to take individual sounds and blend them together into words. “
“Fun Educational Apps recognizes Spellyfish- Short “A” Words with its latest Top Pick in the category of beginning reading apps.”
“Pyxwise always creates and delivers quality applications, and Spellyfish – Short A Words is no exception! This app is visually stimulating, covers topics in detail, provides help whenever kids need it, and tracks user progress. This is surely going to become one of my go-to apps when it comes to recommending spelling programs, and you should definitely try it out!”
“The Spellyfish is both cute and smart, and will surely have your child excited about learning to spell the short “a” words.”
“This app is appropriate for special needs children due to the visual and verbal prompts, larger keyboard, engaging visuals, engaging character, and many of the options in the app! My own son played with app independently for almost an hour! It is kid tested, and mom approved! There are no links, ads, or in-app purchases. I highly recommend this app.”
Spellyfish – Short A Words has been featured as New & Noteworthy.
Pyxwise is thrilled to announce that Apple has featured our latest app “Spellyfish – Short A Words” as New & Noteworthy in the Education category of the US App Store.
Spellyfish – Short A Words released!
Spellyfish – Short A Words, is available today on the App Store. Children will join the adorable and friendly Spellyfish on an underwater adventure as Spellyfish uses phonics to teach your child how to spell consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words that contain the letter ‘A’ and the short /a/ sound.
Spellyfish ‘A’ words is aligned with the US Common Core Standards for building foundational skills in reading for Kindergarten.
Spellyfish Short A Words has gone gold!
Pyxwise is pleased to announce that our newest app “Spellyfish – Short A Words” has gone gold and will be available on the App Store in the near future. Come back soon to find out more details about out latest app.
Teachers With Apps recently honored PyxWise Software as a Certified Developer
The Teacher’s With Apps developer certification program was created to acknowledge outstanding apps and app developers in the education app industry that go above and beyond excellence.
Simplex Spelling series earns Academics’ Choice Awards™.
Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 Syllables has earned an Academics’ Choice Smart Media Award. More detailed comments from the Academics’ Choice Awards Reviewer are listed below.
“This app is a teacher’s dream. There is not an educational app on the market that is as comprehensive and effective as Simplex Spelling Phonics 2. Each lesson builds on previous skills introduced and words are “chunked” or divided by syllables to simplify the process of sounding out words. Audio and visual hints are available as well to help the child as he/she learns. Each specific word can be repeated as many times as the user needs to hear it before attempting to spell it. Teachers can check the progress of any student with ease. “
Simplex Spelling Phonics – Advanced Phonograms also earned an Academics’ Choice Smart Media Award. Additional comments from the Academics’ Choice Awards Reviewer are listed below.
“This is an extremely powerful app packed with advanced spelling concepts appropriate for 3rd grade and above. But what separates Simplex Spelling Advanced Phonograms from its competitors is its exceptional ability to introduce loads of challenging content in small bits. The user will not be overwhelmed. Instead, he/she will find audio and visual hints coupled with a self-correcting approach to aid in the mastery of each activity. We highly recommend this product.”
We are also thrilled that Apple has featured the new version of Simplex Spelling as New & Noteworthy in a number of countries including the US, UK and Ireland. In addition three of the Simplex Spelling apps are being featured under the “Spelling Bees” spotlight in a number of countries.