ProVoc: Osmosis on a Mac

Students rarely have an incentive to switch to Macs. Most of their schools use Windows as their operating system and switching to OS X at home can often be an unnecessary burden. Software like ProVoc, however, really shows how valuable the Mac is in educational scenarios. As a student, I can say that it’s one of the most invaluable pieces of freeware I’ve ever used. I have tried other alternatives: Genius, iFlash, and Studycard Studio. The three aforementioned programs have a lot in common but none matches up to the feature set of ProVoc.

ProVoc is most useful when an individual is learning a foreign language. With its library of five languages (Dutch, Chinese, English, French, and Spanish), the program helps almost any foreign language student. Entering vocabulary words is a snap and studying them is even easier. One thing I liked is that ProVoc offers groups so that one can put different lessons together.

Entering Vocabulary in ProVoc

Once a set of flashcards is selected, ProVoc offers the student three distinct options for studying. The first, aptly named “First Contact,” initiates a slideshow with the words and then takes the student through a brief multiple choice exam to test the words. Results are shown afterwards with the ability to flag or categorize incorrect words. ProVoc automatically adjusts the “difficulty” of the words based on results. The vocabulary words are then sortable via difficulty, flags, categories, and more. The same smart filters are available when one attempts to study the words.

ProVoc also offers a “written test” mode that I find most useful. Users are prompted in one language and must type the matching response in a text box below. The repetition of the typing really aids memorization. The third option, “Quick Test,” enables one to make sure that they have learned the material. A whirlwind round of questions ensures that the student is ready for his or her exam.

ProVoc’s First Contact Learning Mode

ProVoc’s features don’t stop at just studying. Post-studying, the student can look at his or her progress through the “History” tab, which nicely charts results by day, test, week, or month to enable the student to judge his or her progress. ProVoc lets users take their flashcards anywhere with convenient print and iPod modes. You can even print out flashcards on 8.5×11″ paper in a format that makes them a snap to cut out. Lists of the words can also be printed. What’s more ProVoc can put interactive “flashcards” in the Notes section of any iPod with the ability to read .txt files.

ProVoc’s History Feature

I think ProVoc really kicks ass and the application was recently named “Best Student Product” by MacGeneration. The tool is really essential for any form of student and can really aid anyone to achieve their learning goals. Provoc is available as freeware from the Arizona Software web site.

This review is part of an educational series by Zach Sims - hopefully some of you skool minded people find it useful. Up next is flashcard and memorization applications.