iSign is an ANIMATED phrase book of 800 American Sign Language (ASL) gestures. This includes basic signs in areas such as: feelings, things around the house, numbers, colors, shapes, school, sports, etc. (There is a lite version of this program, iSign Lite, which only contains 25 signs available in the app store.) Signs can be sorted alphabetically or categorically. There are favorites, a search function, and a quiz mode.
Each sign or phrase is modeled with a 3D character and completely animated. A video of iSign can be seen at http://iDev2.com/iSign-new.mp4 . An article that describes the origin of this app is also available online.
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later
The ASL Dictionary is a comprehensive video dictionary offering over 4,500 signs. Signs are presented by a real person, allowing the viewer to see expression as well as the natural movement of the signs. 3G, or WiFi Internet is required to use the app. Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.2 or later
Baby Sign and Learn App is a great tool for learning basic signs with your young child. This American Sign Language app offers animated videos, an interactive quiz and flashcards. The bright animated pictures are appealing to children of any age.
Signing Math Dictionary, a product developed as a collaboration between TERC and Vcom3D, is an illustrated, interactive 3D sign language dictionary. It contains 705 math terms defined in both American Sign Language (ASL) and Signed English (SE), des igned for use by students in grades 4-8. Designed like the other apps in this series, an avatar that can be controlled by the user demonstrates the formation of the signs. For a full description of how to use the SMD, download the Users Guide.
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later
Designed for younger users than the Signing Science Dictionary, the Signing Science Pictionary is an illustrative, interactive 3D sign language pictionary containing 730 science terms defined in both ASL and Signed English. It is targeted to students in grades K-3. This is a product that was developed through collaboration between TERC and Vcom3D. Like the other apps in this series, the user has control over the avatar who forms the sign you select, with the ability to change the avatar’s position and signing speed. A Users Guide for this app is available for download.
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later
TERC, in collaboration with Vcom3D has produced a series of signing dictionaries. Several of these products, including the Signing Science Dictionary, are now available in app format.
The Signing Science Dictionary (SSD) is an illustrated, interactive 3D sign language dictionary with 1,300 science terms defined in both American Sign Language (ASL) and Signed English (SE). It is a fully animated, illustrated and interactive 3D signing dictionary designed for students who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and use ASL or SE in the classroom in grades 4-8 . The 3-D avatar can be manipulated to give you the best vantage point to view each sign. The user controls the avatar’s position and speed, and you can loop back to repeat the sign as needed. A User’s Guide is available for download.
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later
Signs 4 Baby, another product from Vcom3D, helps you te ach ASL to babies. The developers suggest that babies are ready to learn sign by six months of age, but that it is never too late to get started. The app contains a dictionary of 198 signs, produced in 3D by an avatar. Words are listed alphabetically and by category. After selecting the word you want to learn, you will hear the word spoken one time along with the sign. Tap the screen to access controls that allow you to change the signing speed, return the character to her home position, or loop to view the sign as many times as you need. The app includes a Quiz to help you evaluate how well you are doing.
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 2.2 or later
Sign 4 Me , a product from Vcom3D, is a Signed English translator. It is described as the ONLY app that provides sign language instruction in 3D. The app uses an avatar to produce the signs. The user can zoomed in, out, or rotate the avatar forming the signs to provide the best vantage point for every sign. The app includes a library of more than 11,500 words. The program saves sentences, phrases, and words that you enter in your History, allowing you to easily access content that you use frequently. The video below will show you the app in action.
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later
This app provides fun, repeated practice on the ASL Alphabet signs. It works like the other apps in this series. A swiping motion moves youk through the deck of flash cards. Each card has an illustration on the front, labeled with written letters and the ASL letter sign. On the back of the card, there is a picture of a child forming the sign. A “watch” feature is available, playing a video that shows how to make the sign. The app includes two quiz game options. One tests the user’s knowledge of signs, while the other tests knowledge of ASL letters. A feature in this app that is not in the other options in this series is a video featuring all of the signs set to an original song. A free MP3 version of the song can be downloaded to your computer or mobile device that plays MP3 files. See and hear the song in the short video below:
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later
Another app in the My Smart Hands series, Everyday Signs Flash Cards was designed for “children of all ages”. A swiping motion moves you through the cards. There is an illustration on the front of the card, and a picture of a child demonstrating the sign on the back of the card. There is a ‘watch’ feature that plays a video that shows how to make the sign. Finally, there is a quiz component that awards points for correct identification of the sign illustrated on a flash card.
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1.3 or later