Mobile App Review: Pleco

Mobile App Review: Pleco

Some basic facts:

·                Category: Reference

·                Updated: Jun 09, 2015

·                Version: 3.2.6

·                Size: 91.3 MB

·                Language: English

·                Seller: Pleco Software

For my mobile app review, I looked at a Chinese learning app called “Pleco.” It is labled the “ultimate Chinese learning companion” by its makers. While I’m very impressed with this app, I think this description is a bit misleading as the focus of the program is on the written form (it also includes pronunciation of a word) and does not place much emphasis on the oral/aural aspects; it includes an integrated dictionary, a document reader, a flashcard system a fullscreen handwriting input and live optical character reader. The basic dictionary is free to download, but the other features mentioned above are paid add-ons.

The layout is not flashy, but a simple, attractive design that is very well organized and easy to navigate (see examples below with clear headings/icons for navigation). While the format of the program may not have much appeal for young learners or those without much interest in learning Chinese, the displays are very clear, effective and efficient for those who are there for the purpose of the program: to study and explore the Mandarin Chinese written language. 

 The content seems very accurate to me; for example, when I wrote several characters on the touch screen using my finger (see example below), I received immediate results of the correct character. The example sentences that I read (see example below for the word “noodles” were also accurate and useful to see the word used in context.

Pleco does not appear to provide opportunities to collaborate with others, but there are some ways that a user can adjust settings according to his/her preferences.

          For example, one can choose from the Mandarin, Cantonese or Japanese pronunciation of a character, and display of Korean, Japanese, pinyin or Cantonese definition of a character. Pleco offers various modes of learning activities including a document reader, (one can import a text document and tap on words in it to instantly look them up), a voice recorder (for looking up a word based on the word you say), an optical character recognition tool (one can look up meanings of characters by pointing his device's camera at them, see example below), full screen handwriting input (one can use his/her finger to write a character and obtain the meaning), flashcards (one can create a card from any dictionary entry with a single button tap) stroke order diagrams (animations showing you how to draw each character).

The optical character recognition tool is a very unique part of this app, with the ability to recognize characters through the lens of a smartphone camera. It worked very well when I tried it out, but one's phone needs to have focus capability in order to use the feature properly (the camera needs to focus in order to capture the exact shape of the character for efficient recognition). 

 One element of the program that provides feedback and statistics is the flashcard activity (see example below) for recognition of pinyin and meaning of a character. One can choose their own words from the dictionary to add to the system,  or import files from their own list or preexisting list from the software. When the character is shown, one can test himself, and then mark whether his or her answer was correct or incorrect. He/she can check these statistics after completion, and data is saved in order to keep track of progress.

According to the article titled "Investigating Authenticity" by Chappelle and Liu that we read for class, one expert defines an authentic task as “one that learners perceive they will learn outside of class in their real world or that parallels or replicates real functions beyond the class” (Chappelle and Liu, 111). The main function of this app is for exploring definitions, components and pronunciations of words, so there is not much emphasis on activities for authentic use in real life situations. The only thing that might be considered as an authentic component are the examples that provide the word in the context of a sample sentence.

          I think this program can be integrated into a course for study of vocabulary, reading and writing. It can also be a great supplemental source for self-directed learning. According to the website, they offer a user community athttp://www.plecoforums.com, and phone and email support. There were not any bugs that I found while using the program. After reviewing this app, I will think about introducing it to my students this fall as a recommended dictionary that they can use on their smartphones (which seem attached to every college student nowadays). It's also a great resource for those highly motivated students who want to learn more characters on their own time and test their progress on their own. 

          My overall rating for Pleco is a 5, “excellent.” However I recommend that they clarify their tagline to the following one that best represents the purpose of their product : “the ultimate Chinese companion for the written form.”