Words U is an iPhone app that helps students learn college-level words by texting friends. Students send their friends text messages through the Words U app, and certain words from the original sentence appear as college-level words highlighted in blue, so that users may click and look up its definition. Words U uses a freemium pricing model.

APPROACH

After downloading the app, teachers first sign up via e-mail and log on to Words U to create a group. A group code is provided so that later on students may use that group code to join in.

Once students have downloaded the app and signed up, they may search for a group to join. The group may be the one their teacher created for their class or may be other public groups on the app. Inside the group the student has chosen, there are a list of users (such as the student’s classmates if it was their class’ group), and the student can choose the person to chat with. After the student sends a text message to that person, certain words from the original sentence are switched with a college-level word highlighted in blue. Students can click on that word to further see its definition. As students send more messages and look up more words, their level goes up as well.

IMPLEMENTATION

Words U is currently only available on the iPhone.

PRICING

The app uses a freemium pricing model, with in-app purchases of additional words available.

WHO IS USING IT

The number of users is unavailable.