#AppMondayTAS - Webapps

Not all websites have apps for iOS.  While you may agree or disagree with this there are good reasons for not creating an a separate app.  One of the pros is that if you update the webapp, then it is available to everyone right away, and you don't have to sync your device to get that update.  One of the cons is that you have to have an internet connection to use them.  That being said, I thought that for today's AppMonday I'd talk about some webapps that you can use on your iOS device from your Safari Browser.

Gmail/Reader - One of the easiest ways to access your Gmail if from Safari.  Actually if you use the Google App it will just take you to Safari to access Gmail.  I find that the interface is easy to use and it works quickly.  I also read about 200 feeds in my Google reader, and find that using Reader from Safari to be very satisfying experience.

Tar Heel Reader - TarHeelReader.com is one of my favorite sites.  I've written about it here, here, here, here, & here.  I've used Tar Heel quite a lot on my computers, but just recently they've upgraded and you can access the books from your iOS device!  To use point Safari to http://tarheelreader.com, and search for a book.  Once you have a book open, make sure to select a voice, and start reading.  You need to touch the picture or text and it will read it to you.  It makes this website a very, very useful webapp.

Smories - Smories is a new webapp that I just posted about here.  They have wonderful stories, read by kids available to watch.  You can watch many of the stories on their website from your Safari browser.

Meegenius - Meegenius is another website that I've found recently.  It has children's books and it will read the books to you.  The website will also highlight the words as it reads.  It has both free and paid books (they range from $.99 to $2.99 per book) and you can access them through the webapp or a free Meegenius App.  The books will read through your safari browser (it does take a little while to load, and make sure to tap the words).

Just remember that to use any of the webapps in the post you have to be connected to the internet.  I'm sure there are a few more out there if you know of any good ones leave a comment below!

Patrick


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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

• IntegrATe | Insights into Assistive Technology

  tags: technology integrate writing AT education web gaylbowser resources author

• What Was There

  tags: history maps photography googlemaps geography map Google education free navigate old whatwasthere

• Qwiki

  tags: qwiki web2.0 search Information searchengine tools Video web encyclopedia education free topic

• ATIAProfessionalDevelopment - home

  tags: website curriculum aac training education wiki atia free teachers atiaprofessionaldevelopment AT assistive technology

• "LINC" Website

  tags: website 'linc' low-incidence education switch aac earlyintervention curriculum blogs at planning tools computer access

• Pictello is the Proloquo2Go of Social Stories

  tags: social pictello socialstories app ios iphone ipodtouch ipad education pictures communication record

• http://a4cwsn.com/

  tags: apps a4cwsn app iPad ipodtouch ios iphone education review communication

• Shopping List Generator for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store

  tags: ipod generator shopping list iphone ios ipodtouch ipad education

• TBoxapps.com

  tags: tboxapps predictable ipad ios ipodtouch iphone education communication AT assistive technology AAC

• Welcome to Can Do Street!

  tags: cando street social stories help video kids education activities free

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SNApps - Special Needs Apps for Kids

A new site has come out that I'm very excited about. SNApps4Kids.com is a site dedicated to sharing information on using iOS devices as well as apps for them.  The site was started by a group of parents, teachers & therapists who list their goals as:

...inform and empower those involved  with special needs children using the iPad and similar technologies. Our focus is on usage, adaptation, and app exchange and review.

The site has lots of information on how to set up your iOS device - including hardware, accessories, and accessibility options.  They also have started posting information on different apps.  At this time it is general information, and included with each app is a rating system.  This is a feature that I really like.  Anyone who looks at the site can rate an app and get a community based rating on it.  I think this really is helpful for people looking for apps, especially with the amount of them out there (over 300,000).

SNApps4Kids.com is still new, but very promising.  Please take a moment to check it out, and if you have used any of the apps please rate them!

Patrick

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Filefolderheaven.com

FileFolderHeaven.com is a site that I've seen before, but never posted about.  Natalie (creator and owner) recently contacted me and shared it again so I decided to check it out more.  The site is pretty simple and she describes it like this:

Our printable file folder games and preschool activities offer students a fun way to practice basic pre-academic and academic skills. These file folder games provide students many opportunities to practice a wide variety of classroom skills at their level. Special Education teachers, preschool teachers, general education teachers and parents enjoy using file folder games and preschool printables because they are inexpensive learning tools, simple to assemble, and easy to store.

I really like the premise of the site, simple easy to use tools that are easy to create and utilize.  As the name suggests all the materials are available for download and printing to put in file folders and create activities.  They also have a section of Interactive books available for download.  FileFolderHeaven also has a section of free downloads.  One section that I especially liked where the Word Family Books.  Each book comes with a book & several games to play with the book.  It seems like a great way to support reading!

If you are interested in checking out FileFolderHeaven.com, please also check out their Facebook Page - FileFolderHeaven Facebook or follow them on Twitter - @FFHeaven.

Patrick


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#AppMondayTAS - iDress for Weather

I was reading a great list of apps - Jeremy Brown's App Recommendations for Students with Autism Part 1 - and while there are quite a lot of great apps on the list, one especially stood out.  iDress for Weather is a simple app that tells you the weather, and suggest the best clothes to wear.  It has some great customization options and is very easy to use.

To start, the app asks to use your location, it will then display the temperature (wind & humidity too, if you'd like).  If you swipe the screen to the right, you get a closet with suggested clothes to wear.  To check the options, touch the "i" in the bottom left corner.  You can change between Fahrenheit or Celsius, select from the last 10 locations, change the temperature levels and turn on the extended information.  The custom temperature levels are quite interesting, allowing you to set what you consider Hot, Warm, Cool, Cold & Really Cold.

When you swipe to the right, you get to see a closet with suggested clothing.  When you click the "i" in the bottom left corner you can upload your own photos and create your own closet!  It even includes a closet for a rainy day.

What I really like about this app is the educational value it has for life skills.  Using this app you can start to define the temperature words, and pairing that with appropriate clothing for the type of weather.  You could easily use this as an activity to guess the best clothing based on the temperature.  I can also see this app helping students who might show resistance to wearing certain clothes, by seeing what the app suggests it could help with that issue.  There are quite a few uses for this app.

This app is $1.99 and well worth the price! - iDress for Weather  If you like this app, please also follow and Like it on Facebook - iDress for Weather Facebook.

The developer of iDress has provided me with 3 codes to give away!  As always, you can register to win one of them, using the methods below:

1.  comment on this post

2.  Like Teaching All Students on the Facebook Fan Page, then leave a comment on the wall

3.  Tweet about this post using the Hashtag -  #appmondaytas

I will put your name in for each method you choose, randomize them, and pick the winners.  Please have all your entries in by Thursday, Jan 27 and I'll post the winners on Friday.  Good Luck!

Patrick

**The developer provided a review copy of this app**


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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

• ePub Bud - Publish, Convert, Store, and Download free children's ebooks online for the iPad and nook!

  tags: ebook ebooks ipad books publish epub reading digitize education free sell convert iphone ipodtouch ios for teachers for special educators

• Tour Wrist for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store

  tags: wrist tour ipod iphone ipad alternatereality free education learning geography

• Use Your Handwriting - Handwriting, Todo and Notes App for iPhone and iPad

  tags: handwriting notes iphone use UYH useyourhandwriting free simple education AT ipad iOS

• iDress for Weather for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store

  tags: weather idress ipod iphone ipad ios education assistivetech app apps

• Documentary Films | Watch Free Documentaries Online | SnagFilms

  tags: documentaries documentary streaming multimedia snagfilms technology science education free ipad ios iphone ipodtouch

• 21st Century Walkthrough

  tags: walkthrough century assistive technology education free tools howto ideas

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Smories - Stories for Kids, Read by Kids

Smories is a new site that features kids reading stories to other kids!  It's a simple concept and the folks at Smories have done a great job.  The site is easily navigated by clicking on any of the pictures on the front page or you can search for specific stories or types of stories by clicking the link at the top.  The site is based in the UK, so most of the narrators have an accent, but I didn't have any trouble understanding them.  Many of the stories are also from the UK, so I didn't recognize many of the stories or names of the characters.

Another great feature is the ability to view the stories on your iOS device!  The daily story is available as well as many others.  You must have an internet connection to use this webapp.  To access the Smories, use Safari on your iOS device & head to http://www.smories.com.

They have a link for submissions, and I think this would be a great way for kids to practice talking, reading and publishing, unfortunately they are closed at this time.  The stories are from unpublished authors, it would be nice to the text of these stories included somewhere on the site.

Smories is a fun site that most kids will love to listen too.

Thanks to Richard Byrne of Freetech4teachers for recommending this site!


Patrick


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#AppMondayTAS - Garkelin

Two weeks ago I posted about a bunch of music apps - #AppMonday - Music Apps.  That post prompted me to start looking for an app for a student to use as a recorder.  What I found was Garklein - The smallest recorder.

As with most good apps, this one is simple.  There are almost no options, and all you do is touch the screen to "play".  You can hold down up to 5 buttons to create the different notes, but there is no need to get that fancy.  Several of my students picked up this app, and started using it immediately.  The sound quality is quite good for a synthesized instrument, in fact the music teacher in my school never even noticed that the student was not using her recorder!  More than anything, I was excited to help this student participate in an activity she had previously had to sit out, since she is not able to use a traditional recorder.

This app is a free download!  Check it out today!

Patrick


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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

• iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, & Android AAC app for autism spectrum disorder | Voice4u | Spectrum Visions

  tags: communication iphone ipod apps voice4u assistive technology AAC education tools

• ctg10 [licensed for non-commercial use only] / FrontPage

  tags: ctg10 UDL education free wiki support digital tools

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

#AppMondayTAS Time Timer Giveaway - Winners

Thanks to everyone who entered to win the Time Timer app.  We have our 3 winners:

Twitter - Newtpm

Comment - mommsl

Facebook - Linda Rush

Look for another free code giveaway soon!

Patrick

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Goals vs. Standards

There is a lot of talk these days about Standards: Common Core Standards, State Standards, etc... and it's had me thinking.  What's the difference between IEP Goals & Standards?


Listening to a recent podcast - With Students in Mind, episode 7 - and Russ Goerend talks quite a lot about teaching his class to the standards and even giving grades based on standards.  And all I kept thinking was how is this any different than IEP goals?  IEP goals are just a way to measure progress, like standards.  IEP goals are monitored on a regular basis, like standards.  IEP goals are standards!


OK, so there are a few differences that I can think of Goals are individualized to each student, while standards are more generalized.  Another large difference I can think of is that Standards are shared with students, while goals are not.  Many schools are sharing standards with students, as a way to increase student success.  Why aren't we doing it with IEP goals?


I admit, this is not something I've considered very much until recently, but I think it's a conversation we need to have.  I teach students with significant cognitive disabilities and I've never done this.  And it occurs to me that maybe I should.  I'm expecting my students to "meet" standards, but they've never been told what it is that I want them to do.  Just like their peers in general education, if they don't know what they are working towards, how can they meet it?


I don't have an answer to this question at this time, but I do think it's something that we need to consider as educators, especially special educators.  I know it's something I'll be looking into!


Patrick


Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons:  BabyDinosaur


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#AppMondayTAS - Time Timer Giveaway

Don't forget, I have 3 free app codes for the Time Timer on iOS.  You can register to win one of them 3 different ways, and each way you do it will get you an entry:

1.  comment on this post
2.  Like Teaching All Students on the Facebook Fan Page and leave a comment (if you don't leave a comment I won't know who joined!)
3.  Tweet about this post using the Hashtag -  #appmondaytas 

Register today, I'll be closing the contest tomorrow evening, Wednesday, 1/12.  Good Luck!

Patrick


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#AppMonday - Time Timer

One of my favorite iOS apps is the Time Timer App.  Based on the physical timer of the same name, it is a great app for any classroom.  The Time Timer app allows you to set a countdown for up to 60 minutes and will slowly make the red portion disappear.  It comes with lots of options, you can set the mode to a clock or the original timer.  You can also set it to play lots of fun sounds when it gets to zero, like a robot, car horn, explosion or a barking dog.  When you set the timer you can set it to go one time, or repeat up to 99 time, you can also hit one button on the screen to repeat the last setting.

One drawback to the app is that the timer does not sound outside of the app.  If you leave the app you get no notification that it ended.  It is also one of the more expensive apps on the app store at $4.99.  The Time Timer works on all iOS devices and is an app I would recommend for any classroom.

Time Timer has offered 3 codes for the Time Timer App.  You can register to win one of them 3 different ways, and each way you do it will get you an entry:

1.  comment on this post
2.  Like Teaching All Students on the Facebook Fan Page and leave a comment
3.  Tweet about this post using the Hashtag -  #appmondaytas

I will take all the entries, randomize them, and pick a winner.  Please have all your entries in by Wednesday, Jan 12 and I'll post the winner by Friday.  Good Luck!

Patrick

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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

• SoundingBoard

  tags: soundingboard AAC special education iOS iphone ipad ipodtouch communication

• Weebly - Create a free website and a free blog

  tags: website webdesign web2.0 tools design blog web education free

• 6 Virtual Tours Of The Human Body For Free Interactive Anatomy Lessons

  tags: science anatomy virtual interactive Biology tours edtech reference education

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

What can our kids do?

Assessing students with significant cognitive disabilities is not an exact science, it's a bit like driving a bus backwards with a blindfold on (not that I have any experience with that).  I know that seems like an out of the blue statement, but it should make sense soon.  I've been reading Embracing Chaos, by Stephanie Crist, recently and came across a great post - Proof: Ben can Read!.  The blog focuses on a mother's triumphs and struggles to raise 3 boys with autism, the post is a triumph - she was able prove her son could read!  I applaud her and think there is more to say about it.


Stephanie's point was that she was forced to "prove" this fact to the teachers, and that is where I find some issue.  Having been teaching for 10 years now, I know what some people think about "our" kids.  They can't, they won't, they will never do that...but I want to know - Why Not?  Who says that the child sitting in the wheelchair, unable to speak, listening to the same music after hitting a switch can't read those words too?  Who says the non-verbal child sitting in front of you staring isn't sounding out a word?  Why do we assume they can't?  Why don't we have high expectations and figure out a way to teach it to them.  One of my friends has this quote on her email:

‘If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.’

~Ignacio Estrada

I think it sums up this issue entirely.  We need to find the way children learn and teach to them, not the other way around.  We need to assume they can do things and figure out a way for them to show us they can.  "Our" kids can do anything we believe they can do!

Photo Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons:  Eileen Delhi

Patrick

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#AppMonday - Music Apps

This week's #AppMonday is inspired by this video - North Point's iBand.  It got me thinking about how easy it would be to have kids use iDevices to participate in and create their own music.  I've included the apps that were used in the video below:


SoundGrid-a sound board, reviews state that it is very easy to use - $2.99
NLog Free Synthesizer - Synthesizer with many different options - Free
Melody Bells - play one handbell (by shaking, great for many students) or multiple ones by touch - $0.99
Guitarist - Allows you to hold chords & strum at the same time, comes with many different guitars - $3.99
iGOG - simple easy to drum kit, comes with 1 kit, but you can download other kits for free - $2.99
Bassist - Made by the same developer as Guitarist, only plays Bass Guitar - $2.99
iBand Tribal Percussion - includes several instruments like maracas, sticks & tambourine, you can play them by shaking or tapping - $0.99


This is just the tip of the iceberg for music apps available for iOS.  Have fun playing with these!

Patrick


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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

• Application List « iAutismo

  tags: application list iautismo iOS apps iphone ipad ipodtouch communication scheduling language SpecialEducation sped udl

• How to use your iPad and iPhone / iPad Touch with an External Display / Projector « Moving at the Speed of Creativity

  tags: ipad projector display education iPhone ipod learning iOS ipodtouch

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.