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.