App Heaven

I attended the Closing the Gap workshop today entitled, "iPod touch, iPhone and iPad as Assisitve Technology: From AAC to Planning tool.  We were presented with a wealth of information that will take me some time to continue to experiment with, learn, and use with the students that I work with.  There are over 300,000 apps that have been developed for these devices for a wide variety of purposes.  I have selected a few to post so that you may investigate which would be useful to you and/or your students:

• Picatello - An app for the iPod Touch and iPhone that can enable the user to create photo albums and books that "talk".  These could be used to create social stories, schedules, or narratives as a few examples. $14.99 though iTunes store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pictello/id397858008?mt=8
• ArtikPix - This app was designed by a speech and language pathologist to help students practice their speech sounds via a game structure. There is a free and a full version of the program. It is available for the iPod Touch, iPad, and the iPhone.  Data collection is available within the app. The full version is $49.99. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/artikpix-full/id356720379?mt=8
• myHomework - Available for the iPod Touch and the iPhone can help a student keep track of homework, projects and tests. Free http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/myhomework/id303490844?mt=8

Using the iPad to Connect - Wall Street Journal 10/13/10

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703440004575547971877769154.html
This short article appeared yesterday in the WSJ.  It is a nice testimony to the power of the iPad and the Proloquo2Go "app" that I have previously discussed. It identifies the issue of the high cost of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) products and Medicaid's stance on reimbursement for these types of products. There is also a short video clip embedded in the article.  It is worth the time to watch it.

Visules

This is an app that is designed to create visual schedules specifically for students with autism. The combination of checklists, color, text, and visual cues can be a meaningful way to communicate with a student what he can expect during the day. Cost: $4.99

App works on iPhone, iTouch, and iPad.  See the website for more information: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/visules/id322543961?mt=8#

Ever need an "External Brain"?

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/evernote/id281796108?mt=8#

Evernote is an iPod/iPad/iPhone app that allows the user to author a text message, audio clip, video clip, or photo to help to remind them of events or ideas. It works with both PC and Mac, synchronizing to either platform. Data stored in "notes" is searchable by geolocation.  The above website indicates the following potential uses:
"● For research and class notes
● To capture blog ideas and design inspiration
● To stay in-sync with your desktop notes, web clips, and files
● To snap photos of whiteboards
● To record voice memos" (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/evernote/id281796108?mt=8#, retrieved 10/1/10.)

Why not try it out? It's FREE!!

Closing the Gap

I received some very good news today.  I am being permitted to attend the conference Closing the Gap which will be held in Minneapolis, MN on October 19-23.  The best news is that one of the pre-conferences that I have been accepted in is on the very topic of this blog:  iPod Touch, iPad, and iPhone as Assistive Technology:  From AAC to Planning Tool.  I plan to post information and links to this blog so that others can have the chance to use this info too. 22 days and counting!

Proloquo2Go

http://www.proloquo2go.com/
This relatively new iPod/iPhone/iPad "app" can give a student with augmentative communication needs, a voice!  For $189 a user can turn their iDevice into a talking communicator.  This introductory video can give you an idea of how the device works, although the interface has been revised slightly - http://www.proloquo2go.com/resources/article/introductory-videos.  The student can have the option of using a keyboard or icons/symbols.  Personal pictures can also be incorporated into a new item or category. I am looking forward to learning more about this device and helping one of my new students learn how to use it. I am wondering if anyone else has had any experiences with Proloquo2Go. Carolyn

Poll Results

Although the poll has closed itself, I am still very interested in if and how you might be incorporating iPods and/or iPads in your classroom or school.

Link to ITSE Webinar

I wanted to post this link that I received in an email today.  It is for two different Webinars.  One is on 9/22 on Teaching with Google Docs, and the other on 9/29 about using the iPad in the classroom. There is a modest fee associated with these Webinars; $50 for ISTE members. 
http://mail.aol.com/32679-111/aol-1/en-us/Suite.aspx

Using an iPod Touch or iPad without "touching" it!

Students who have limited dexterity, difficulty isolating finger movements, or use a head pointing device may need a little extra help in being able to be successful with an iPod or iPad.  In order for these devices to work, you need to use your finger to "press" the "buttons".  You can't press them with a stylus or a pencil eraser.
    "Capitance" is present in a person's fingertip;  this refers to small electrical impulses that are present in human touch which enable the user to "depress" a button on the iPod/Pad.  A clever inventor, RJ Cooper has developed a headpointing and finger pointing tool that can help people who do not have this physical ability to still use an iPod/iPad.  Check out this link for some wonderful photos of his work.  http://www.rjcooper.com/ipad-pointer/

Welcome

     This blog is designed to promote conversation about the use of assistive technology tools in the educational setting.  I would like this to be an open forum for questions/sharing. 

     Currently, I am very interested in knowing what experience(s) you have had in using  iPods and iPads in school.  Please comment on any "apps" that you have found educationally useful, and their purpose.  Check out the link to iPossibilities in my blogroll below. There are several introductory slideshows that are incredibly informative. Please don't be intimidated; I'm learning these tools and their applications too.