iPads in Education:
iPads are a good teaching tool to use in the classroom. They can help assist a lot of students with their work in the classroom and in real life. iPads are a positive force for student learning that brings a whole new dynamic to education. Teachers can use iPads to enhance the learning environment for all students in the classroom. Special needs students however can have a great benefit from these tools.
iPads are especially a great tool to assist students with autism. Students with autism are good visual learners and they can benefit from an interactive device. An iPad allows them to see how a skill is done visually and can even function as a means of communication for them. The technology from iPads has made positive strides for students with autism and has helped them improve in many ways.
iPad apps are available in all content areas and grade levels. You can find iPad apps specific to the student and target skills you want them to work on. These apps allow these students to practice the skills they are struggling with and as a result improve them. Students interact with the content on the iPad and it can even make learning more fun for them. Overall, these iPad apps can motivate a student to work on a skill without them even realizing that it is work.
The following section includes Pad apps in several subject areas that students will find helpful.
Reading:
Starfall Learn to Read (Starfall Education): This is an excellent iPad app for teaching children how to read. It contains many activities for students to do that involve phonics and repetition of words. This allows students to be able to practice their reading and decoding skills.
Starfall contains:
Starfall contains:
- 15 mini books focusing on specific vowel sounds
- videos and activities that focus on literacy
- repetition of phonics skills
- option for student to read on their own, get help or hear the sentence read for them
- activities such as fill in the blank, matching and videos
iStoryBooks (iMarvel): This is an iPad app that has a collection of educational books in full page format. It helps students to learn vocabulary skills, reading comprehension and the part of storytelling. The books are read aloud to the student and include nonfiction, biography and folk tales. Students can enjoy reading the stories while learning how to read new words by being exposed to them through a chosen story.
MiniMod Reading for Details Lite (By E. Skills Learning, LLC): This iPad reading app is useful for those students who have already learned phonics and how to read. It focuses on the student reading a story and having to identify the 5 W's of reading (who, what, where, when). After the student reads the story they have to answer reading comprehension questions based on what they read.
- This app is good practice for a state test such as the NJASK because the questions are in the same format as in the Language Arts section. Once the student selects the correct answer to the question they earn a bingo chip. They win the level once they get 5 in a row.
Writing:
iWriteWords (gdiplus): This is an iPad app that teaches children how to write letters of the alphabet, numbers and simple words. The child uses their finger to drag “Mr. Crab” to follow the dots on the letter or number to learn how to form them. If a child makes an error with their formation they will have to start over and try again. This app provides a good writing practice for students. There is also a picture that comes along with letter, number or word that the child is writing to visually show them an example.
The app includes:
Here is a YouTube Video on the iWriteWords iPad app:
The app includes:
- 70 levels of both upper and lowercase letters
- 20 levels of numbers
- 26 levels of individual letter tracing for both upper and lowercase letters
- the ABC song
- play back of the words that the child has written in his or her own handwriting
- an animation upon completion of writing
Here is a YouTube Video on the iWriteWords iPad app:
Dragon Dictation (Nuance Communications): This app can assist students with their writing because it reads what they write out loud to them. The students that use this app can have auditory feedback for what they are writing. Also, it can help them to identify spelling errors and grammar errors. Also, it can be useful for students who have fine motor skills and cannot express themselves through writing. Therefore, they can type out their writing with this program.
This is a voice recognition program that can really benefit the following learners:
This is a voice recognition program that can really benefit the following learners:
- children with autism
- children with dyslexia
- children with dysgraphia
Typ-O HD (SecondGuess ApS): This is a word prediction app that can help students with their writing by predicting the words they believe the user will type next. It can help students to produce a better writing piece. This is especially good for special needs students who need that extra assistance with their writing. It can help them to improve their spelling also.
Some of its key features include:
Some of its key features include:
- text to speech capabilities
- correction for misspelled words
- spell check
- 4 different voice selections
Math:
Math Bingo (ABCya): This is an iPad app that makes performing math operations into a fun game. Students can practice any of their skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division or all 4 of the operations at once. Once they select a math skill they can choose the level they want. The levels included in the game are Easy, Medium and Hard.
After students start playing the game they have to answer the math question and find the correct answer on the Bingo board. If they answer the question correctly they get an animated bingo chip creature. However, if they answer it incorrectly they are given more chances. The goal of course is to get BINGO and win the game. Students will find this game fun and it will challenge them to use their math knowledge.
After students start playing the game they have to answer the math question and find the correct answer on the Bingo board. If they answer the question correctly they get an animated bingo chip creature. However, if they answer it incorrectly they are given more chances. The goal of course is to get BINGO and win the game. Students will find this game fun and it will challenge them to use their math knowledge.
Arithmetrick (Pomegranate Apps): This is an iPad app of interactive math flashcards. Students are challenged in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It provides students with a good way to practice their skills and learn what areas of each math operation that they need more help with. This way they can be exposed to the skills they need help in and learn them by using these flash cards.
Also, the app has different levels the student can choose from Easy to Einstein. The student can choose to practice their skills first and then try the flash cards where they are timed. Students can use this as a good practice and it can help them to mentally memorize their times tables.
Also, the app has different levels the student can choose from Easy to Einstein. The student can choose to practice their skills first and then try the flash cards where they are timed. Students can use this as a good practice and it can help them to mentally memorize their times tables.
Motion Math Zoom (Motion Math): This is an iPad app that helps students learn place value. It is an interactive number line that uses concrete objects and animals to represent number values. The game includes students have to fill in the missing place value on the number line. It builds number sense in a fun way. The app includes 24 levels including numbers up to 1,000 for younger students and negatives, decimals and timed trials for older students. For special needs students, the app includes hints and scaffolding to help them in areas where they struggle.
Communication:
TouchChat HD AAC (Silver Kite): is an iPad app that acts as an AAC device. TouchChat can play recorded messages or use voice output to help the student to communicate.
Some advantages of TouchChatHD AAC are the following:
Some advantages of TouchChatHD AAC are the following:
- Students can link their words and phrases to real life pictures to make it more familiar to them.
- Users can select a voice from 7 different choices so that it fits their own personality.
- The screen can be made larger by tilting the iPad.
- The pages in TouchChat are easily categorized so the student can find what they are looking for.
iCommunicate (Grembe Inc.): This communication iPad app allows users to effectively communicate with others. Teachers can select from 20 voice options for the student. Also, this app allows you to add your own pictures to it and includes 10,000 N2Y SymbolStix.
The key features of this app allow users to design their own:
The key features of this app allow users to design their own:
- visual schedules
- storyboards
- communication boards
- daily routines
- flash cards
- choice boards
- speech cards
- This app can serve many functions for communication and includes many options to customize to the students needs.
The Social Express (The Language Express Inc.): This is an iPad app that focuses on students learning the appropriate social skills to use in a certain situation. From this app they can learn to develop positive social relationships and understand how to carry them out in a real life setting. Also, this app uses strategies based on effective programs such as:
It comes with 16 interactive lesson and 30 scenes on two different levels (one for beginning learners and one for emerging learners). This app could potentially help special needs students to:
- Social Stories
- Comic Strip Conversations
- the Alert program
- the Incredible 5 Point Scale
- the Hidden Curriculum
- Thinking about YOU Thinking about ME
It comes with 16 interactive lesson and 30 scenes on two different levels (one for beginning learners and one for emerging learners). This app could potentially help special needs students to:
- identify feelings and emotions of others
- make eye contact more
- understand non verbal cues
- learn conversation starters
- think of appropriate topics for conversation
- demonstrate acceptable social behavior
Science/Social Studies:
BrainPop Jr. Movie of the Week (BrainPop): This is an excellent science iPad app for students in grades K-3. It includes videos of educational content from the areas of language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, health, arts and technology. The student can watch a video on a certain topic and can introduced to new terms and facts about that topic.
There is also some comedy added to the videos to engage the students to watch it. Students will find the characters funny and can even take an easy or hard quiz on the video they just watched. This is overall a great app for students to use.
There is also some comedy added to the videos to engage the students to watch it. Students will find the characters funny and can even take an easy or hard quiz on the video they just watched. This is overall a great app for students to use.
Tiny Countries (TapToLearn Software): This is an iPad app that enhances student’s geography skills. It takes students on an adventure where they must figure out where the criminals are located in order to catch them. The game offers them clues to help them identify the geographical location of the evil henchmen. This helps to make geography fun for children and can teach them new facts they might not have known before.
Resources:
Reading Apps:
Apple, Inc. (2013). “MiniMod Reading for Details Lite." Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minimod-reading-for-details/id409669762?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Apple, Inc. (2013). "Starfall Learn to Read”. Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/starfall-learn-to-read/id551817261?mt=8
Marvel. “iStorybooks”. Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://www.istorybooks.co/
Writing Apps:
Apple, Inc. (2013). ".Dragon Dictation (Nuance Communications". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragon-dictation/id341446764?mt=8
Apple, Inc. (2013). "Typ-O HD (SecondGuess ApS)". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/typ-o-hd-writing-is-for-everybody!/id372971659?mt=8
BestAppsForKids (September 23, 2011). "iWrite Words Part 2”. Retrieved March 26, 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQGCjI3GJoM
GiggleLab. "iWriteWords." Retrieved April 23, 2013 from http://www.giggle-lab.com/iWriteWords.html
TeachThought (2012). "50 Popular iPad Apps For Struggling Readers & Writers". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from http://www.teachthought.com/apps-2/50-popular-ipad-apps-for-struggling-readers-writers/
Math Apps:
Apple, Inc. (2013). "Arithmetrick (Pomegranate Apps)". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/arithmetick-hd/id415319007?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Apple, Inc. (2013). "Math Bingo (ABCya)". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-bingo/id371338715?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Motion Math Inc. "Motion Math Zoom (Motion Math)". Retrieved April 24, 2013 from http://motionmathgames.com/motion-math-zoom/
Communication Apps:
Apple, Inc. (2013). "iCommunicate (Grembe Inc.)". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/icommunicate/id320986580?mt=8
Apple, Inc. (2013). "TouchChat HD AAC (Silver Kite)". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/touchchat-hd-aac/id398860728?mt=8
Apple, Inc. (2013). "The Social Express (The Language Express Inc.)". Retrieved April 24, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-social-express/id477525808?mt=8
The Language Express (2012). "The Social Express". Retrieved April 24, 2013 from http://thesocialexpress.com/
Science/Social Studies Apps:
Apple, Inc. (2013). "BrainPop Jr. Movie of the Week (BrainPop) ". Retrieved April 24, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id536371867?mt=8
Apple, Inc. (2013). "Tiny Countries (TapToLearn Software)". Retrieved April 24, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tiny-countries/id570163207?mt=8
Apple, Inc. (2013). “MiniMod Reading for Details Lite." Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minimod-reading-for-details/id409669762?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Apple, Inc. (2013). "Starfall Learn to Read”. Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/starfall-learn-to-read/id551817261?mt=8
Marvel. “iStorybooks”. Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://www.istorybooks.co/
Writing Apps:
Apple, Inc. (2013). ".Dragon Dictation (Nuance Communications". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragon-dictation/id341446764?mt=8
Apple, Inc. (2013). "Typ-O HD (SecondGuess ApS)". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/typ-o-hd-writing-is-for-everybody!/id372971659?mt=8
BestAppsForKids (September 23, 2011). "iWrite Words Part 2”. Retrieved March 26, 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQGCjI3GJoM
GiggleLab. "iWriteWords." Retrieved April 23, 2013 from http://www.giggle-lab.com/iWriteWords.html
TeachThought (2012). "50 Popular iPad Apps For Struggling Readers & Writers". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from http://www.teachthought.com/apps-2/50-popular-ipad-apps-for-struggling-readers-writers/
Math Apps:
Apple, Inc. (2013). "Arithmetrick (Pomegranate Apps)". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/arithmetick-hd/id415319007?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Apple, Inc. (2013). "Math Bingo (ABCya)". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-bingo/id371338715?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Motion Math Inc. "Motion Math Zoom (Motion Math)". Retrieved April 24, 2013 from http://motionmathgames.com/motion-math-zoom/
Communication Apps:
Apple, Inc. (2013). "iCommunicate (Grembe Inc.)". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/icommunicate/id320986580?mt=8
Apple, Inc. (2013). "TouchChat HD AAC (Silver Kite)". Retrieved April 23, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/touchchat-hd-aac/id398860728?mt=8
Apple, Inc. (2013). "The Social Express (The Language Express Inc.)". Retrieved April 24, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-social-express/id477525808?mt=8
The Language Express (2012). "The Social Express". Retrieved April 24, 2013 from http://thesocialexpress.com/
Science/Social Studies Apps:
Apple, Inc. (2013). "BrainPop Jr. Movie of the Week (BrainPop) ". Retrieved April 24, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id536371867?mt=8
Apple, Inc. (2013). "Tiny Countries (TapToLearn Software)". Retrieved April 24, 2013 from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tiny-countries/id570163207?mt=8