Teaching All Students: iPad only

Showing posts with label iPad only. 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

iPad

Independent Traits

Assistive/Independent

Independent

iTunes Categories

Education

Books

BridgingApps Categories

BridgingApps Reviewed App

Language Arts

Social Skills

Speaking and Listening

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.

Patrick

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Monday, November 4, 2013

#AppMondayTAS - Gravitarium

Gravitarium (iPad Only, $0.99)

Reviewer Comments

Gravitarium is an app that can be used across the ages. By touching the iPad screen with one, two, three or more fingers, the user can create animated sparkles of light patterns. By dragging a finger or more across the screen, the particles continue to make patterns of light. Once the user has touched the screen soft, calming music is heard.

This app is great to use to increase attending behavior, develop purposeful reach and purposeful touch, understanding of cause and effect, fine motor skills and bi-lateral hand use. This can be a 'go to app' to help a student work on these skills. With its simple interface, visually attractive light patterns and calming music, this app is appealing to many students with multiple disabilities, their teachers and clinicians.

We have used this app with a number of children who have autism. Many were clearly drawn to the visual display on the screen when the app was demonstrated. With that, some started to use the app independently, while increasing attending behavior. Other students learned how to use the app with hand-over-hand assistance, working towards independent use. In one instance, Gravitarium had a calming effect when used one day with a small group of children.

Possible IEP Objectives:

Pokes at object with index finger

Increase finger isolation

Increase bi-lateral hand use

Increase attending behavior

Develop purposeful reach

Develop cause and effect

Develop drag and release

Develop/increase ability to imitate fine motor movement

Develop independent indoor activity

Develop exploration of app on iPad

Develop/increase interactive play with others

Mobile Devices

iPad

Independent Traits

Fine Motor

Visual Perceptual Skills

Early Learning

Creative

Assistive Traits

Early Learning

Assistive/Independent

Independent

iTunes Categories

Entertainment

Simulation

Games

BridgingApps Categories

BridgingApps Reviewed App

Fine Motor skills

Disclaimer:

Patrick

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Monday, August 19, 2013

#AppMondayTAS - Attainment's Community Success

Attainment's Community Success - $39.99 (iPad Only)

Reviewer Comments

Attainment’s Community Success is an app that is designed to help users with disabilities prepare for and become more independent on community outings. It is well developed and shows a true understanding of the many complex skills one needs in order to access the community with independence.

There are 24 community-based tasks covered in the app. Examples of tasks include, but are not limited to: going to the library, riding in a car, riding the bus, and waiting in line. The tasks are broken into the following five easy to navigate categories: Getting Around, At Home, With People, Out Shopping, and Around Town.

Information within each module is presented in a variety of ways that includes interactive stories, photographs and illustrations, as well as video modeling. The tasks are broken down in four different areas including steps to complete the task, social skills, a story, and a video. This is consistent throughout the app making it a good user experience, especially for students with autism that do well with this consistency and predictability.

Other features that are beneficial include the ability to hear text read aloud, the ability to have various words in the stories defined, comprehension questions at the end of each story to check for understanding, and the option to create an account for students that access the app. You can even extend learning by role-playing various scenes and recording them using the camera on the iPad. This helps with skill retention and generalization.

The easy to use layout, consistency of material within each module, and the ability to use this app with individuals and small groups, for instance, broadcasting it on the smartboard, make it worth the current price of $39.99. It can be used in conjunction with other materials and products from Attainment as well. A detailed pdf document is available in the app to explain some of the other customizations including a number of alternative accessibility features.

Mobile Devices

iPad