This is an app that is available on Web browser on PC, Mac, or iOS device, App on iPhone or iPad.. The purpose is to allow users to save articles on a browser or Smartphone device for reading at a later time in a compatible view for the screen size and type available.
Type of Material:
Reader application for Web browser on PC, Mac, or iOS device, App on iPhone or iPad.
Recommended Uses:
Sync and save articles for reading later as when browsing or surfing the web. Readability works on web browsers, iPhone, iPad and Android smartphone, giving users the flexibility to read anytime, anywhere.
Technical Requirements:
Web browser on PC, Mac, or iOS device, App on iPhone iPad, or iPod Touch. Requires iOS 7.1 or later. Requires Android 2.1 and up.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Readability turns any web page into a clean view for reading now or later on a computer, smartphone, or tablet. The goal of Readability is to deliver a great reading experience on every platform and provide an avenue for connecting readers and publishers on the Web.
Target Student Population:
Although elementary students can certainly use this tool, it targets those who read articles--junior high students through adults.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Users can create a a library of saved, favorited, and articles that are available for viewing on or offline later. Favorited articles can be shared or recommended to others via Twitter, Facebook, or email.
Concerns:
This may be too complex for a younger viewer.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Readability has a Chrome extension, which has options to read now, later, or send an article to your Kindle. The default integrated Kindle support is a strength. Users can also save articles using bookmarklets from one of a number of compatible apps such as Flipboard and Twitter, or via email. The reason for saving the articles is where educators can become creative. Perhaps students create a portfolio of selected articles around a theme or create a collection of articles for an assigned literature review.
Concerns:
The syncing feature was not working when attempted on an Android device. Although the web page showed it was compatible with one reviewer's device, the saved articles would not appear in his reading list on the phone app.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The ability to save articles and sync them across devices, including a Kindle, is the strength. It provides basic functionality without any extra features like full-text search, highlighting.
Concerns:
The user interface is not intuitive in design so there is a learning curve. The last time this app was updated was October 2014. That is telling if a user is having issues with Readability.
Creative Commons:
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