Leveling the playing field with apps

From the GeekSLP,  Barbara Fernandes, a 17 page list of apps for speech therapists is available on Scribed. This list is updated at least once/month and is FREE to download and to share with others.  Each entry includes the app icon, name, description and cost.

This extensive list of apps is is divided into

> Articulation,

> Fluency,

> Language,

> Cause and effect,

    and more.

The author has indicated some of the apps in this document were created by her and has indicated that by placing a star next to the icon.

Read2Go is another app that is leveling the playing field!

"Read2Go, the new accessible eBook reader for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch is now available for download from the iTunes App store.

Read2Go works with Bookshare. Any book available to you through your Bookshare login can now be downloaded to your iPad or iPod touch and read on your mobile device – offering a more accessible, portable library.

However, the current range of visual settings and speech options, along with the range of books from Bookshare, immediately make this eBook reader a game changer for accessing texts for many students with learning difficulties. Overall, this is an excellent start on providing an accessible eBook reader for all students’ needs."

TherapyApp411 features apps that can be used in speech language, occupational and other therapy interventions. Reviews are written by therapists.

These thorough reviews include:

> App Name/Publisher

> Description with screenshots of the app

> Therapy Use

> App Benefits/Likes

> Skills Targeted

> Age/Grade Levels Targeted

> How to Activate

> Cost

> Would you recommend this app with the reviewer name, credentials and date reviewed

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"A colleague of mine recently asked me to share my top ten favorite apps for “Special Education in the Inclusive Classroom”, which is actually something that I am asked to do quite often. Unfortunately, that list does not exist. I can definitely share a few apps that I have found tremendously useful for a variety of students. These are ten apps that I am truly thankful to have available for ALL of my students!"

"In the realm of using technology as assistive technology for individuals with special needs, it is extremely important that it be about the individual. What are the student’s strengths, weaknesses, and specific needs? What environment is he/she working in? What task does he/she need to accomplish? And then finally, is there an appropriate technology tool/app to meet these needs?"

Thank you Meg Wilson for this app list that supports all students!

Kids with dyslexia and other learning disabilities are finding that the iPad helps level the academic playing field.  Here are some iPad apps that are categorized to make learning easier for those kids. 

This app list is generated by Nancy Barth for older student who are in the developmental level of younger students. These middle school students need to learn these reading comprehension skills but they don’t need babyish themes. These apps are intended to address those requests. 

Each recommended app includes a description and the IEP goals/skills that are covered. 

A review of some select apps with descriptions and potential use in supporting the principles of UDL in instruction and student learning.

"Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provides a framework for course structure, individualized instruction, assessment, and academic engagement. Universal Design for Learning has the potential to maximize learning opportunities for all.

The following are a few applications available for the iPad, iPod or iPhone that can help support a UDL-based learning environment"

Several Web sites have been created to review and maintain lists of apps aimed at helping children with autism and other special needs.

"The Apple iPad has been hailed as a savior for assisting children with autism spectrum disorder or other special needs. It was portrayed as a minor miracle in a recent segment on “60 Minutes” and has been found to help even the very young quickly learn.

Anecdotally, teachers, parents and therapists describe the profound difference that apps for Apple and Android products have made in helping autistic children develop skills. IPad programs have provided a means of communicating for some children with autism who cannot speak or have language delays. Other apps help children learn to handle social situations that can be stressful, like crowds at malls. And many programs can help develop fine-motor skills, which promote functions like writing or manipulating small objects."

This Scribd document contains a updated list of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch apps for education and special education. Each app in the list includes an iTunes link and short description of the app by Eric Sailer and/or the other authors, Jennifer Marden and Mark Coppin.

"The app descriptions provide some information regarding iPhone, iPad and iPod touch compatibility. To adequately determine device compatibility, carefully read the app’s description and requirements on the App Store."

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*Disclosure: Eric Sailer co-created ArtikPix and Percentally apps.

Bring your iPad and participate in the BYOD presentation "Leveling the Playing Field (LtPF) with Apps" at the Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference on Tuesday, November 29th at the Radisson Conference Center in Manchester, NH.

In this post, we examine 5 Apps to develop social skills for students with special needs (plus 1 extra!)

"Social skills intervention for children with special needs is an area that is growing with new innovations in technology. [See social skills interventions for children with autism from the Kennedy Krieger Institute for a good overview.] It is especially encouraging to note that most of the technology being developed follows evidence-based practices in the development of social skills. Two such examples of research-supported technology are video modeling and social stories."

"In this post, we examine 16 Apps for Elementary Students with Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD).

New apps on the iPad can assist students with remediation as well. While apps are not as advanced as specialized software right now in terms of full support for specific academic skills, they are improving. Most apps that have been developed to date focus on the remediation aspect and not support. There are huge advantages to using an app for remediation or to bypass the challenges associated with NVLD on the iPad: the ability to manipulate the information on the screen, high level of engagement, mobility, and full interactivity. Here are our recommendations for apps for elementary students that have difficulty with the above-mentioned areas."

Welcome to Part 1 of There's A Special App For That series on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad apps for students with special needs.

"We are big fans of the latest innovations for organization and productivity to assist with the guidelines in our “11 tips for improving organizational skills“, as well as to encourage independence. These apps go beyond general recommendations and give students support in many different areas of organization.

Here are a few of our low-cost (or free!) app recommendations for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad in the area of organization."