Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Nova Scotia iPads for all

I am in agreement that getting mobile devices into the classroom – especially iPads is the way to go. With the explosion in the number of affordable (literally “affordable” for most people’s budgets) apps that are specifically targeted for use in the classroom with UDL principles in mind, the iPad is perhaps the one true piece of technology that is suited to the direction that education is heading. This machine has accessibility functions that would have cost many more times the price of a single iPad just a couple of years ago. Now everyone has access to voice to text, voice to print, text to voice, enhanced visual delivery, and mobility that was only possible with expensive single purpose machinery and/or software.

I think that the mobile revolution will impact everyone in society as the devices become cheaper and as the market opens to competition. Tablets are in fact catching up and there are more and more apps for android. Currently android seems to be the cheaper version of mobile communications. They are limited but definitely developing.

Ipads for all. In short it is synonymous with “accessibility” for all.

The Writing Process

                What was remarkable in all of this activity was how much I took for granted.  As adults we really have learned a lot – and probably have forgotten how much we actually learned. We have rich language experience and a great deal of general experience to form ideas of how we want to express our views. Just picking up the pencil takes a certain level of skill. We need to locate the pencil – which requires visual skill. Some or all of the skills may be lacking in a student. The process of trying to write with my left hand made me want to give up because it was such a laborious task. I developed a whole new respect for these students who show up day after day and continue to keep at it – no matter how discouraging . It really shows courage and determination on their part.

Emergent Literacy Learners

                 From my limited research I found that from the emergent literacy perspective, reading and writing acquisition is seen as similar to oral language acquisition. That is in order to learn it you have to be exposed to it in order to make meaning of it and ultimately use it. While learning oral language is natural, learning to read and write is a lot less automatic. A great deal of instruction is required in learning reading and writing - hence we have the idea of using AT in order to get students with challenges to begin putting the thoughts in their heads on the paper or screen. I have explored some of the apps and AT that support this.

Ipevo Document Camera

This is a great device that can be used for reading text and can be projected wirelessly to the iPad which in turn can be manipulated digitally in any of the means that we have seen thus far in the course.

I have one in my school and I have not yet begun to explore it’s potential.

Symbol Support App

SymbolSupport App is a program that allows you to add symbols to your text.  SymbolReader is a free app that displays these symbolized documents. Both apps read the documents. The apps are compatible with the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

News to You App

This is a powerful app that draws students into news stories symbols and voice narration.  It can be used to bring social studies, current events, and other news items to special needs students and well as beginning readers. The symbol-based and voice supported articles allow for a fit to individual needs. Very teacher and parent friendly.

Clicker Books

This is a very useful app that allows students to create their own books. It is suitable for primary up to early secondary school. Each page has the possibility to insert or draw a picture and a button to record the students own sounds and narration for their book. The app reads the sentence each time one is written so that users can review the content.

 I found a very helpful youtube tutorial/review.

Signed Stories

Signed Stories is an app that allows children access to a number of animated books. The stories are told with narration, music, sound effects, and both British and American Sign Language. It also has interactive games that help students improve their language and reading skills. Brilliant!!

Checkout this youtube demo;