A place for teachers and other providers of special education services to support each other, share information, and discuss topics, including assessment.
iPhone/iTouch Applications for Instructional Purposes
Phyllis Brodsky
Teacher Trainer in Severe and Multiple Disabilities from Tucson, Arizona
Posted on 1/27/2010
I am a special education teacher with a long standing interest and involvement in assistive technology. Although this is often categorized as a topic related to special education, it is directly connected to the field of computer science and engineering. Most recently, iPhone and iPod technology has taken an amazing turn towards varying supports of people with disabilities, specifically in the area communication and voice output. The implications are exciting and far reaching! I am interested in knowing what experience anyone has had in this area. Proloquo2go is the most sophisticated augmentative communication app ($189). Has anyone seen it used? What about other apps? Is anyone using specific apps in their classroom instruction? Is anyone teaching the design and development of apps?
Comments (38)
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High School Special Education Teacher
I just can from a workshop on this Apps and a few others. I can wait to use it with my Down's Student. The communication piece on it is great much better that the Palmtop.
I'll be going to a workshop
I'll be going to a workshop on this tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll learn something and can share it with you!
iPods
First, I must have been very tired because my wording was terrible. I can't wait to hear from you. I hope to attend our state's technological conference and learn more.
Ipod touch app from Model Me Kids
I just downloaded the free app from Model Me Kids. It has 6 vignettes with narration: Hairdresser, mall, doctor, playground, grocery store, restaurant. I am going to try it out with one of my students with autism tomorrow. If anyone is interested, I can let you know how it goes.
Augmentative Communication App
I would be interested in this app. One of my students uses a Vantage Plus device. It is extremely cumbersome for him as he has limited strength and cannot even carry the device himself. His educational assistant has to carry it all the time.
APPS
Let me know how the Model Me Kid works. As soon as I can get the iPods, I can try some of these apps out.
I just looked up the Model Me web site. We presently don't have any social skills training specifically for our high school students with autism. This looks promising! Do you know of any other programs that would be helpful in math, science, or history that are geared for students with autism?
iPhone Apps and teaching students with disabilities
I am new to this group and this is specifically what I was interested in learning more about. I am an app developer for Apple as well as a special education teacher. I also have a background in speech-language pathology (my BS) and computer science hence my interests lie in this specific area. I made a very simple app for sight words and it does not require a lot of screen switching it is entitled "Dolch Sight Words" and you can find it in the app store under my name Margaret Fernandez. I had a positive feedback already from the CEC. Simple and easy to use is key with these students. I am developing more apps and I would like feedback and information from other teachers to support me and our future use of technology for students. I have also partnered with a research professor for field use studies and trials of the apps I am currently completing. I know education loves to have proven researched-based methods and this is key for our students. We all know that they seem to get tested and prodded all too often with meaningless interventions. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow for our students and those with different abilities in the future. (If it makes you curious--I also have an adult diagnosis of Aspergers which explains MUCH of my personal struggles and bridges I have crossed alone.) Hence I would really appreciate learning and getting to know other special ed teachers this way.
Margaret, I am very excited
Margaret, I am very excited that there is someone out there making apps geared toward our special ed kids. I have just started using my ipod touch in my classroom. I am wanting to find more apps that would be good for them. I will definitely purchase your "dolch sight words" as they will fit into my curriculum perfectly. I look forward to any future apps you make because hopefully I will get a grant for a couple of ipods to use in my classroom.
[quote]Margaret, I am very excited that there is someone out there making apps geared toward our special ed kids. I have just started using my ipod touchin my classroom. I am wanting to find more apps that would be good for them. I will definitely purchase your "dolch sight words" as they will fit into my curriculum perfectly. I look forward to any future apps you make because hopefully I will get a grant for a couple of ipods to use in my classroom.[/quote]
Hi,
I am going to make the words larger. I realized this and we are uploading a newer version. You can get promo codes from me that will make the app free for you. My twitter account is "appsfor" if you are on twitter you can contact me that way and I will send you free promo codes to get it free. This is an offer for all teachers. I know our kids and I know they require a lot of drill and practice.