Showing posts with label #appmondaytas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #appmondaytas. Show all posts

Monday, January 13, 2014

#AppMondayTAS - Storybook Maker

Each week I will be featuring an app from BridgingApps.org.  These apps are features in the Bridging Apps newsletter each week and are reviewed by Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Special Education Teachers.  Come back each week for a new review.  If you’d like more information on how to use the BridgingApps.org website, or to find more app reviews, please click here.


Storybook Maker - (iPad Only, $2.99)


Reviewer Comments
Storybook Maker is an app that allows the user to write, illustrate and publish their own story. Using text, photos, graphics and audio recordings, the app allows an adult or child to design their own book.
There are many uses for this app, but one we have found especially useful for children is a method for discussing upcoming changes in a schedule due to vacations or some other event that is out of the ordinary routine.
Using Storybook Maker, a caregiver can write a social story about their vacations or weekends. Using actual photos, the story can be customized for the user. Older children and adults can also use Storybook Maker to write stories about the event and then share then with family and friends.
It is a great way for the child to share their experiences with their friends and teachers when they return to school. It is also a great way to encourage written language and auditory comprehension.
We have used this app with children between the ages of 2 and 10 with diagnoses of Down syndrome, speech delay, autism spectrum disorders and anxiety.
Mobile Devices
Assistive/Independent
iTunes Categories
Disclaimer:

You may copy, modify format, distribute and perform the work(s), including app reviews and any data even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission provided that you: a) cite our research project and publications as follows: BridgingApps, a program of Easter Seals Greater Houston; b) agree that we make no warranties about the work(s) or data, and disclaim liability for all uses of the work(s) or data, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; c) when using or citing the work(s) or data, you should not imply endorsement by us; and d) do not misrepresent the work or its content, or any part thereof, or present it any manner which would have the effect of disparaging BridgingApps, Easter Seals Greater Houston or any affiliated entity or person.



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Monday, January 6, 2014

#AppMondayTAS - Proloquo4Text

Each week I will be featuring an app from BridgingApps.org.  These apps are features in the Bridging Apps newsletter each week and are reviewed by Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Special Education Teachers.  Come back each week for a new review.  If you’d like more information on how to use the BridgingApps.org website, or to find more app reviews, please click here.


Proloquo4Text - (Universal, $129.00)

Reviewer Comments
Proloquo4Text is a text to speech app for alternative communication. The app is text based and includes word prediction and sentence prediction. These two features allow much faster communication through the keyboard than simply typing all the words and sentences.
The app includes a choice of 85 voices and 15 languages. It is easy to switch languages so a bilingual user can easily communicate in both languages. Messages can be delivered auditorily or through AirDrop, Twitter, Facebook, email and messaging.
The user can also create and save frequently-used phrases and sentences. The layout and other features of the app can be customized for an individual user. The app can be used any of the IOS based “i” devices, and an internet connection is not needed for communication.
We have used this app with a 15 year old with autism. He previously used a simple text to speech app with a keyboard only. Proloquo4Text allowed him to communicate at a much faster rate, reducing frustration.
The app has many helpful features such as highlighting words or even sentences, saving frequently used words and phrases to use as shortcuts, and the ability to pause and play - giving the user ultimate control in the rate of text changing to speech.
Because it is text-based, this tool would be extremely useful for children and adults who are literate, including those with diagnoses of autism, cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, apraxia, ALS/MND, laryngectomy, stroke, or traumatic brain injury.
Mobile Devices
Assistive Traits
Assistive/Independent
iTunes Categories
Disclaimer:

You may copy, modify format, distribute and perform the work(s), including app reviews and any data even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission provided that you: a) cite our research project and publications as follows: BridgingApps, a program of Easter Seals Greater Houston; b) agree that we make no warranties about the work(s) or data, and disclaim liability for all uses of the work(s) or data, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; c) when using or citing the work(s) or data, you should not imply endorsement by us; and d) do not misrepresent the work or its content, or any part thereof, or present it any manner which would have the effect of disparaging BridgingApps, Easter Seals Greater Houston or any affiliated entity or person.



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Monday, December 30, 2013

#AppMondayTAS - Story Creator Pro

Each week I will be featuring an app from BridgingApps.org.  These apps are features in the Bridging Apps newsletter each week and are reviewed by Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Special Education Teachers.  Come back each week for a new review.  If you’d like more information on how to use the BridgingApps.org website, or to find more app reviews, please click here.

Story Creator Pro (iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, $1.99)
Reviewer Comments
As the need to increase writing skills becomes more important apps like Story Creator Pro assist those students who are hesitant writers. The app includes the option to write with a finger or stylus or text. In addition, students can add pictures from their camera roll or snap as they are writing. Students can also add audio which is an asset for non-writers or those with strong auditory processing skills.
The app is very easy to use. Each story the child creates can have a unique cover or simply use the black journal book cover provided. Students simply type or write their words on blank pages. If students want to add audio they just press the microphone to add their words. Upon completion of the book students can listen to their stories. If the student is able to add text and audio, the words are highlighted to reinforce reading comprehension, auditory comprehension and memory.
Behaviorally, teachers can make social stories with students adding pictures to the stories making this a multi-purpose app.
Educationally, students can use Google images or their own drawings to explain literary and or informational concepts.
We use this app as a weekly journal app to increase our students' ability to express themselves independently. The app allows us as teachers to differentiate tasks to meet the unique needs of our students. A goal we have for all of our students is the ability to answer "WH" questions. Another goal is to encourage them to write a sentence or paragraph independently. This app has been helpful in assisting our students with both of these goals.
Possible IEP Goals:
When given a list of ___ number of vocabulary words, the student will use them in a writing assignment.
When given a written assignment that contains punctuation and capitalization errors, the student will identify and correct the errors.
The student will write a simple answer to a question asked by the teacher.
Mobile Devices
Assistive/Independent
iTunes Categories
Disclaimer:

You may copy, modify format, distribute and perform the work(s), including app reviews and any data even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission provided that you: a) cite our research project and publications as follows: BridgingApps, a program of Easter Seals Greater Houston; b) agree that we make no warranties about the work(s) or data, and disclaim liability for all uses of the work(s) or data, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; c) when using or citing the work(s) or data, you should not imply endorsement by us; and d) do not misrepresent the work or its content, or any part thereof, or present it any manner which would have the effect of disparaging BridgingApps, Easter Seals Greater Houston or any affiliated entity or person.



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