{"id":6018,"date":"2012-02-13T13:59:05","date_gmt":"2012-02-13T05:59:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chengduliving.com\/?p=6018"},"modified":"2012-02-20T13:16:38","modified_gmt":"2012-02-20T05:16:38","slug":"learning-characters-on-ipad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chengduliving.com\/learning-characters-on-ipad\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn to Write Characters on Your iPad With Word Tracer"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to learning or practicing Chinese characters, the iPad has always had enormous potential. But although the potential of the iPad was always clear, it wasn\u2019t until the last year or so that truly great iPad apps for Chinese learners began to emerge.<\/p>\n

One of those is Word Tracer, an app for learning Chinese characters by tracing with your fingertip. If you’ve been learning Chinese for a while now, you might have realized that the physical action of writing characters is crucial to committing them to memory.<\/p>\n

Here’s how this works.<\/p>\n

Why Writing is Essential to Learning Chinese Characters<\/h2>\n
\"Writing
The traditional method: brush and paper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Our brains are divided into sections which are responsible for processing different kinds of information. When we listen to someone speak, the part of our brains that handles listening and language is engaged, which then commits some of that information to memory. However, the process isn’t very discriminating and crucial information is treated the same way as non-essential filler.<\/p>\n

When you write things down, though, something happens<\/a>. Another part of the brain is activated, which is much better at filtering out relevant information. In short, our recall is dramatically affected and we’re more likely to use what we’re learned. This is why writing is essential to learning Chinese characters. Instead of repeatedly writing the same characters over and over hundreds of times, we can use intelligent tools like iPad apps to make the learning process quicker and likely to suit our needs.<\/p>\n

So, back to the topic: what\u2019s great about Word Tracer?<\/p>\n

Introduction to Word Tracer<\/h2>\n

Word Tracer is an intelligent tool to teach you to write Chinese characters correctly. In the words of the developer:<\/p>\n\u201cWord Tracer – Learn Chinese is an iPad app that is designed for people who wish to learn to write Chinese characters properly through tracing and feedback provided through the device. Writing Chinese is one of the most challenging aspects of the language; this tool provides an effective means to facilitate learning by letting the users practice 1500 commonly used Chinese characters (Practice Mode) and testing themselves (Test Mode). Common phrases are also provided to allow the learner to see how the word is used in context. The app is developed using a game engine and masterfully designed to provide the best user experience and performance. Every character comes with pinyin (with actual voice recording), English meaning and common usages.\u201d\n

\"Word
Selecting between the Practice Mode and Test Mode in Word Tracer on iPad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Essentially, use of the app is broken down between two different types of users.<\/p>\n

If You\u2019re New to Chinese Characters<\/h3>\n

This is probably Word Tracer\u2019s strong point: when it\u2019s in the hand of someone new to learning Chinese. Here are some of the benefits to the beginner:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Dead simple to use<\/li>\n
  • Practice mode allows you to trace on top of characters to build recognition<\/li>\n
  • Pinyin and audio pronunciation are built in to strengthen comprehension<\/li>\n
  • Automatically corrects your stroke order mistakes (which is important!)<\/li>\n
  • Radicals included<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    If You\u2019re Already Studying Characters<\/h3>\n
      \n
    • 1,500 of the most commonly used characters are already included<\/li>\n
    • Test mode tests you on characters you’ve learned, including stroke order<\/li>\n
    • Create custom lists of words that you want to focus on<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
      \"Word
      Flipping through character lists using the Word Frequency modifier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

      How I Use Word Tracer<\/h2>\n

      When I launched the app for the first time, I jumped into practice mode to get an idea for what I was dealing with. What I found was that you can begin using dozens of different character lists which are already generated and included in the app. Lists like:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Frequency Rank<\/li>\n
      • Stroke Count<\/li>\n
      • Common Usage<\/li>\n
      • Lessons<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        This made it easy to jump straight into characters that are familiar to me, but are a challenge to write correctly without assistance (for me I went straight to Frequency Rank 1,001 – 1,500). Once I’m working with these characters, I can choose to hide or show the grid, audio cue, or stroke order guides.<\/div>\n

        Conclusion<\/h2>\n

        If you have an iPad and you’re already studying Chinese characters, this app is a no-brainer at the $2.99 price. Upon release it was listed as an Apple “Staff Favorite”, probably due to its immaculate design and smooth performance (the app is built upon a game engine).<\/p>\n

        \"Word<\/p>\n

        Check the links below to read more about Word Tracer or to download it from the iTunes App Store.<\/p>\n

        Youtube Clip of Word Tracer in Action<\/h3>\n