Reading Comprehension with Inference Ace

(Originally posted Nov. 7, 2014 on the Greenwood 50's Technology Leaders and Coaches In Action! blog at: http://kidblog.org/stls/823673c8-64ee-4e47-81b0-aca3e1d5b807/inference-ace/ )
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One of my goals as School Technology Leader and media specialist is to explore new technology options for curriculum integration.  To do so most effectively, I know I need to explore and experiment with technologies within the library information literacy curriculum as related to curriculum standards.  This past week I did just that with an iOS app created to help students with reading comprehension and deep reading by allowing specific and targeted practice with making inferences

Inference Ace is available for the iPad in both free and paid versions.  The free version I used allows students to complete 4 levels at 10 questions per level. The first level questions deal with when; the second level, where; the third, what; and the fourth, who.


I was impressed with the app because it builds reading comprehension skills in a fun, game-like format, which typically appeals to students at all applicable grade levels.  I used Inference Ace with my 3rd and 4th grade classes this week after a brief review of "Making Predictions" and a focused lesson on "Inference."  The questions were challenging for some of the third graders, but not so challenging that they could not complete them successfully when they concentrated or were given guided assistance.  The fourth grade classes enjoyed the app even more and were still challenged by the questions, though I did have a few students who successfully made it through all 4 levels with very few missed questions.

Overall, the lesson and the use of the technology versus any kind of written worksheet or practice was a great success.  As a matter of fact, since teaching these classes earlier this week, I have had students on other grade levels ask if they were going to be able to use the same app in their class!

Next week I intend on reviewing inference with third grade, in order to emphasize the importance of the skill and allow them to practice with the app again, as well as possibly move on to Inference Ace 2, which is more challenging.  Fourth graders will review and advance to Inference Ace 2.  In addition to those classes, I will be reviewing inference with my fifth grade students this week and having them begin with Inference Ace and then move on to Inference Ace 2 if they successfully complete the first 4 levels.

Being able to successfully make inferences and use deductive thinking while reading is such an important reading skill to propel comprehension and understanding.  While quiz-like apps such as Inference Ace and Inference Ace 2 might not always be preferable to creation apps, in this case I think Inference Ace was both appropriate and successful in illustrating to students what it means to make inferences by isolating the skill in short, succinct questions.

So in this instance of purposefully exploring and experimenting with technologies to enhance curricular content and practice, I feel I succeeded, which means, of course, that my students succeeded.  And that is always my goal.