Teaching All Students: literacy

Showing posts with label literacy. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Kaizena - Voice Comments for Google Docs

Last year, I posted about a Google Doc extension called Voice Comments. You installed it in your Google Drive and you could hight light portions of the text and record voice comments. There were some bugs like the fact that your formatting would disappear, but that seemed like a minor inconvenience compared to the awesomeness of leaving these voice comments.

Well this year at ICE 2014, I was introduced to the NEW Voice Comments - Kaizena! Kaizena is be the same folks who did Voice Comments, but it is upgraded! Just head to Kaizena and click on the link to connect your Google Drive account. Then all you have to do is find a document (does not work with spreadsheets or presentations) and then you can start leaving voice comments, written comments and even links to resources like videos or articles. It really have a ton of potential.

One note I overlooked is that you have to share a link back to the document after you are done leaving your comments. It shows under "Comments" button near the share button in your student's document. Or you could send them an email letting them know they have comments to listen to.

I've always looked for ways to increase my students independence and Kaizena is a great way to give feedback that they are able to use. I can't wait to fully integrate it into my classroom writing process!

Patrick

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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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Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Class Library iOS App

This app recently came though my Facebook Timeline, and I was instantly intrigued. Class Library is a simple app for cataloging and managing your classroom library! I haven't been in school this week (it's a little cold here in Chicago!), so I haven't had a chance to try it out extensively, but it seems perfect for a classroom. Once you sign in it gives you options for scanning or manually adding books to the database, and adding students. You can easily check out or check in books to students, again either manually or by scanning them!

The app syncs across devices so after installing on my iPhone & my iPad I had access the library on both devices!! This app is free this week (I'm assuming until 1/10/14), but it is typically only ($1.99, I think). The website mentions that Android, Windows Phone & Web versions are coming soon! I recommend checking out this app for your classroom!

Class Library (Universal, Free for a limited time)

Patrick

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Monday, December 30, 2013

#AppMondayTAS - Story Creator Pro

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

iPhone

iPad

Independent Traits

Assistive Traits

Assistive/Independent

Assistive

iTunes Categories

Entertainment

Photo & Video

BridgingApps Categories

Language Arts

Social Skills

BridgingApps Reviewed App

Disclaimer:

Patrick

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Monday, December 16, 2013

#AppMondayTAS - ABC - Magnetic Alphabet HD

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

iPad

Embedded Skills

ability to match objects

able to discriminate between pictures

ability to imitate fine motor movements

ability to increase visual memory

able to drag and release

able to follow basic patterns

able to follow simple directions

able to match letters

able to match objects without relying on color clues