Showing posts with label bridgingApps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bridgingApps. Show all posts

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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Monday, December 23, 2013

Panter Math Paper

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.

Panther Math Paper (iPad Only, $19.99)




Reviewer Comments
Panther Math Paper allows a user to complete math problems on an iPad, therefore, completing these problems without a pencil! By tapping the features on the menu at the bottom of Panther Math, a user can complete simple to complex math operations. This app is based on Universal Design Principles allowing for independent completion of mathematical operations by users with motoric and/or learning challenges.
Teachers can create math worksheets in this app and save them to specific folders within the app. Students can then access these worksheets and complete the assigned work. Students can use this app to copy and complete mathematical operations found in their text book. This app is not a calculator; it is a digital math paper! Math concepts that can be addressed with this app include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, algebra, money skills, volume, weight, geometry, time, distance and advanced math.
Trialing this app with a student who struggles with the mechanics of writing, it was immediately obvious that the cognitive demand was decreased as this individual did not have to spend time struggling with putting an answer on the paper with pencil. Therefore, this student was able to focus his attentions on the mathematical operations. It was easy for him to choose the correct answer as his finger isolation skills were strong.
This app includes user guide that includes a quick guide, instructions, accessibility options information, grid options, and information about the 5 main keyboards, navigation directions, file management information and a settings section. It was great to see such a strong user guide easily accessible within this feature rich app.
As with other apps by this company, this app is a tool in the toolbox for assistive technology professionals, who seek options for individuals with disabilities. Panther Technology has again proven that it embraces the Universal Designs concepts.
Mobile Devices
Independent Traits
Assistive Traits
Assistive/Independent
iTunes Categories
BridgingApps 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 16, 2013

#AppMondayTAS - ABC - Magnetic Alphabet HD

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.

ABC - Magnetic Alphabet HD (iPad Only, $1.99)


Reviewer Comments
ABC Magnetic Board is an engaging app that can be utilized to address many different skills. It is so versatile that teachers want to purchase for use with their students it once they see it!
This app mimics the magnetic letters we grew up with and used on magnetic boards or refrigerators. It consists of sets of upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, shapes, and signs. It also has toy magnets sets related Spring, Summer, Snowy Winter, Christmas, Halloween, Party, Garden, the Russian, Korean and Thai alphabets. When a user taps a letter, American and Russian, the name of the letter is heard. This app also includes 9 backgrounds, some of which are magic and animate when completed! What a fun reward that is engaging and motivating for users.
With these magnets, teachers can address patterns, sequencing, alphabet skills, spelling, visual memory skills, visual planning skills, counting, mathematical operations and much more! Teachers can also determine how the interface will appear, from simple to busy, depending on the needs of the student.
We have found that many students can benefit from using this app. We have used this app to address sequencing the letters of a name with a number of students. One student worked intently on matching letters on a template. Though the interface was busy, this student mastered that task and increased his time on task.
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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Do you know somebody else who would find this post interesting or useful? Please forward it to them. Did somebody forward this post to you? Visit Teaching All Students and subscribe to receive posts for free. If you need a RSS Reader please visit this post Google Reader Replacements.