Studying Shakespeare can be both exciting and challenging. His works, like “Romeo and Juliet,” are famous but can be tough to understand. Luckily, there are digital tools that can help make learning Shakespeare more fun and engaging. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one?
Today, we’re looking at two great digital tools for learning “Romeo and Juliet”: the Shakespeare in Bits app and the Wordplay Shakespeare iBook. Both offer digital versions of the play and include recorded performances. This means you can watch and listen to the play while reading it, making the experience more interactive than just reading a book.
The Shakespeare in Bits app is available for iPads and features an animated version of “Romeo and Juliet.” The animations are simple but clear, and the play is narrated by actors who bring a classic Shakespearean feel to the performance. A cool feature of this app is that it highlights the text as the characters speak, and you can even get translations for tricky words. You can also add notes and access extra information about the play. However, some might find the animations a bit too cartoon-like.
Wordplay Shakespeare offers an interactive iBook with live actors performing the play. This version keeps the original text but gives it a modern twist. The performances are emotional and engaging, but there are fewer reading aids compared to Shakespeare in Bits. The iBook includes a “Tap to Translate” feature and a dictionary for looking up words. Each scene starts with a summary, and there’s background info on the characters. The simple design of the iBook helps you focus on the text, which is great for studying literature.
Wordplay Shakespeare’s iBook works best on an iPad but can also be used on a Mac or online, costing just under $20. The Shakespeare in Bits app is designed for iPads but is also available for Mac or PC, priced at $14.99.
Both tools have their strengths. Shakespeare in Bits is perfect for students who need extra help understanding the play, thanks to its helpful features. However, the animations might not appeal to everyone. Wordplay Shakespeare offers a more modern take that might be more interesting for high school students, but it provides less reading support. Ultimately, the choice depends on what you find most helpful and engaging.
What do you think about using technology to learn “Romeo and Juliet”? Feel free to share your thoughts and explore more educational tools and ideas at Common Sense Education.
Use the Shakespeare in Bits app to watch an animated scene from “Romeo and Juliet.” Then, create your own short animation or comic strip of the same scene using a tool like Pixton or Toontastic. Focus on capturing the emotions and key events. Share your creation with the class and discuss how your interpretation compares to the app’s version.
Watch a scene performed by live actors in the Wordplay Shakespeare iBook. Pay attention to how the actors convey emotions and the impact of their performance on your understanding of the text. Write a short analysis of how the live performance enhances or changes your perception of the scene compared to reading it silently.
Using the “Tap to Translate” feature in Wordplay Shakespeare, select a passage from “Romeo and Juliet” and translate it into modern English. Then, work in pairs to create a dialogue using your translation. Perform your dialogue for the class and discuss how modern language changes the tone or meaning of the original text.
Choose a character from “Romeo and Juliet” and use the extra information available in the Shakespeare in Bits app to explore their background and motivations. Create a character profile that includes their relationships, key quotes, and personal reflections. Present your profile to the class and explain how this deeper understanding affects your view of the character’s actions in the play.
Read a scene summary from the Wordplay Shakespeare iBook and then watch the corresponding scene. In small groups, discuss how the summary helped you understand the scene before watching it. Consider what additional insights you gained from the performance and how it influenced your interpretation of the text.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
Teaching and learning Shakespeare can be enjoyable, but it also presents challenges for both students and teachers. The works of Shakespeare can be difficult for many students. However, there are various apps and digital tools available that can assist in this process. Some of these tools have the potential to transform how we study and read Shakespeare. The question is, how do you choose the right tool for your classroom?
Today, we will compare two excellent options for teaching “Romeo and Juliet”: an iPad app from Shakespeare in Bits and an interactive iBook from Wordplay Shakespeare. Both tools provide digital versions of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” along with a recorded performance of the play divided into manageable sections. With either option, students can watch and listen as they read, making the experience more interactive compared to reading alone. Both tools include the full text of the play, which can supplement or even replace printed copies. They also offer reading supports to help students understand and interpret the play.
However, the similarities largely end there. Think of it like this: two platforms, both alike in dignity, but they approach digitizing “Romeo and Juliet” in very different ways.
Shakespeare in Bits’ “Romeo and Juliet” iPad edition is an iOS app that features an animated adaptation of the play narrated by Shakespearean voice actors. The animations are bold and easy to see, though somewhat simplistic. The actors’ voices provide a formal Shakespearean tone to the performance. The app’s standout features are its reading supports. As characters speak, their lines are highlighted in the text, and there is an option for subtitles. Students can also tap on certain Shakespearean terms for translations. Additionally, from any scene, students can access a wealth of information and add notes and annotations, providing solid reading support. However, some may find the animations a bit cartoonish, and high schoolers might prefer a live performance.
On the other hand, Wordplay Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” Enhanced Edition is an interactive iBook that offers a more sophisticated adaptation with live, professional actors. It presents a modern interpretation while still using the full, original text, and the performances are heartfelt. However, it includes fewer reading supports. The “Tap to Translate” feature provides a simpler version, and students can define any term in the dictionary. Each scene begins with a synopsis, and there is background information on each character. The simplicity of the iBook could be one of its best features, as the plain white backdrop emphasizes the text, which is crucial in literary study.
When considering practical aspects, Wordplay Shakespeare’s iBook is best viewed on an iPad, but it is also available for Mac or on the web, costing just under $20 per copy. The Shakespeare in Bits app is designed for iPad but can also be downloaded for Mac or PC, priced at $14.99.
In conclusion, Shakespeare in Bits is a great choice for independent readers who may need extra support, as its bonus features provide context to the play and Shakespeare’s life. However, the animation might seem cartoonish to some students. Wordplay Shakespeare’s modern take may appeal more to high schoolers, but students might require additional help with the reading. Overall, the simple backdrop enhances the focus on the text.
What are your thoughts on teaching “Romeo and Juliet”? We invite you to share your opinions and explore various educational technology tools and lesson ideas at Common Sense Education.
Shakespeare – A famous English playwright and poet known for his works such as “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Macbeth.” – In English class, we studied Shakespeare’s use of language and how it influenced modern literature.
Romeo – The male protagonist in Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet,” known for his passionate love for Juliet. – Romeo’s impulsive actions drive much of the drama in the play.
Juliet – The female protagonist in Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet,” known for her deep love for Romeo. – Juliet’s bravery and determination are evident when she defies her family to be with Romeo.
Digital – Relating to technology or electronic devices, often used in the context of reading or studying literature online. – The digital version of the novel allowed students to access interactive features and annotations.
Tools – Resources or instruments used to enhance learning or understanding, especially in the study of literature. – The teacher provided various tools, such as graphic organizers and online quizzes, to help students analyze the text.
Interactive – Involving active engagement and participation, often used to describe digital media that allows user interaction. – The interactive e-book included videos and quizzes to help students better understand the story.
Literature – Written works, especially those considered to have artistic or intellectual value, such as novels, plays, and poetry. – Studying literature helps students develop critical thinking and empathy by exploring diverse perspectives.
Performance – The act of presenting a play, poem, or other work of literature to an audience. – The students’ performance of the play brought the characters and themes to life in a new way.
Text – The written words of a book, play, or other literary work. – Analyzing the text closely revealed the author’s use of symbolism and metaphor.
Translations – Versions of a text that have been converted from one language to another. – Reading different translations of the poem helped the class appreciate its universal themes.
