Leveling the playing field with apps
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Leveling the playing field with apps
Education Technology
An opportunity to level the playing field for diverse learners has arrived. With the use of mobile devices and a set of apps, barriers to learning can be removed and will set the stage for access to learning for ALL learners.
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75 best apps for special education

75 best apps for special education | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From adayinourshoes.com - January 13, 2015 3:36 PM
We asked special education teachers, OTs and SLPs to recommend their favorite apps for autism, speech, language, reading, writing, auditory processing disorder, executive functioning and more.
Kathleen McClaskey's insight:

Check out this great list of apps from "A Day in Our Shoes". They include the 75 best apps for special education, special needs, speech and language, reading and writing, auditory processing disorder. Share this with schools and friends!



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Carlos Silva's curator insight, January 9, 2016 9:15 PM

añada su visión ...
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iPad® Apps for Students Struggling with Reading, Writing & Math

iPad® Apps for Students Struggling with Reading, Writing & Math | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From shop.pesi.com - September 18, 2014 4:55 PM

Join Diana as she walks you through the built-in accessibility features of the iPad and demonstrates the apps live for you to view and follow along. You will see the features of the apps, along with the gestures and how to use the apps. Learn realistic implementation methods to use immediately with students.


Via Diana Petschauer
Kathleen McClaskey's insight:

Don't miss this incredible resource that Diana has put together for learners that struggle in reading, writing and math. This is a must resource for every school on the planet!

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Diana Petschauer's curator insight, September 15, 2014 9:16 PM

In today’s workshop you will learn about the best iPad apps for students who have difficulty with reading and/or writing, including challenges with math! Apps that are useful for related therapists such as OT, SLP, and Reading Specialists will also be demonstrated. For students who struggle with a print disability due to Dyslexia, specific LD, executive function, difficulties processing, low vision, blindness, or physical disabilities, you will learn about apps to help students be successful with:

  • Reading                      
  • Comprehending                     
  • Note taking                
  • Computing
  • Writing                       
  • Organizing                 
  • Assessing textbooks

Apps will include: text-to-speech for books, documents, and PDF's with annotation, word prediction, note taking, object and money identification, graphic organizers and mind-mapping, magnification, voice recognition, audio recording, math support, Scanning with OCR (Optical character recognition), support while browsing the internet and researching, foundational literacy skills, digital story creating, and more. Apps demonstrated can be utilized with students from elementary school through post secondary education as well as adult learners.

OUTLINE

Apps for Reading:

  • Text to Speech, Highlighting, Definitions, Font Options, OCR, Differentiated Reading Levels, Support for Comprehension & Retention, as well as fluency and sight words/ vocabulary support, accessing digital and audiobooks

Apps for Writing and Completing worksheets/ Handouts/ Assignments:

  • Text to speech, typing, handwriting/ annotating, Voice Recognition, Word Prediction, Sight Words

Apps for Executive Function:

  • Note taking, Graphic Organizers, Brainstorming, Scheduling & Reminders, Organization, Planning, Audio-recording

Apps for Low Vision and Blindness:

  • Magnification, OCR, electronic Braille, audio, object/color/money ID, access to digital and audio books

Apps to Support Math skills and instruction:

  • Basic math, foundational math, algebra, equations, counting money, telling time, fractions, word problems, support for dysgraphia

OBJECTIVES

  • Identify a minimum of 10 apps that will support students who struggle with literacy (Reading, Writing, & Math) or Access to curriculum or learning materials.
  • Discuss how the apps will support students who have difficulty with literacy (reading, writing & math) or Access, and learn realistic applications for use.
  • Develop skills to utilize and implement the apps in daily practice while working with students who struggle with literacy and access.
  • Discuss specific student concerns to learn specific use and application to meet your student’s needs. Share favorite apps with others attending.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Diana Petschauer, M.Ed., ATP is a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional and Founder/ CEO of Assistive Technology for Education, LLC. and Access4Employment LLC. Diana is an accessibility specialist and certified ATP who provides AT assessment, training & consultation for students to access education and for adults to access employment, home and the community. Diana manages the AT consultants and trainers who work for ATE and A4E.  Previously Diana was the AT Specialist at the University of New Hampshire. She presents/trains locally & nationally, including at larger conferences such as ATIA, CSUN, Closing the Gap, & OTAP.


A DVD recording of the webinar can be purchased here:

http://www.pesi.com/ECommerce/ItemDetails.aspx?ResourceCode=RNV047770
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iPad Apps for Dyslexia/Reading Writing Support

iPad Apps for Dyslexia/Reading Writing Support | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From atss.wordpress.com - March 30, 2014 4:54 PM
Staff at CALL Scotland have produced a helpful Wheel of Apps guide for iPad that may be useful for students with dyslexia or who just need some additional support with reading and/or writing diffic...
Kathleen McClaskey's insight:

This iPad app wheel includes apps for reading, writing, memory, organization and numeracy. There is a link to acquire the PDF version on this site.

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Ra's curator insight, March 31, 2014 4:14 PM

Looking from a SENCO perspective as a resource that can be used by teachers to get them thinking about using apps for those students with high learning needs. Student voice and autonomy could be increased by having them explore the apps indicated as being useful and give feedback on how and why they think the app would fit with their learning needs. 
Heidi Hutchison's curator insight, April 27, 2014 7:44 AM

Great resources!
Erin Schettler's curator insight, August 14, 2014 6:47 AM

This is an AMAZING compilation of apps to aid struggling readers!
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Write to Read - WriteReader

Write to Read - WriteReader | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From onsarahsipad.wordpress.com - May 19, 2013 6:16 PM
There are more than 750 000 apps in the iTunes AppStore, with many doing similar things, so it is very exciting to find an app that does something really different.  WriteReader is one of those app...
Kathleen McClaskey's insight:

WriteReader is designed to help children learn to write while they are also learning to read.

 

Following its development and testing, researchers concluded that WriteReader can:

• Improve early learning of reading and writing skills

• Motivates children to write

• Promote cooperation between children and adults

• Encourages kids to be creative and imaginative in sentence creation

• Develops interest in the written language

 

The app is aimed at children aged from 3 to 10 years, although I believe it would be suitable for older children who have special needs.

 

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50 Popular iPad Apps For Struggling Readers & Writers

50 Popular iPad Apps For Struggling Readers & Writers | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From www.teachthought.com - September 19, 2012 10:23 AM

"Whether you’re the parent of a child with a reading disability or an educator that works with learning disabled students on a daily basis, you’re undoubtedly always looking for new tools to help these bright young kids meet their potential and work through their disability."

 

Here, we highlight just a few of the amazing apps for the iPad out there that can help students with a reading disability improve their skills not only in reading, writing, and spelling, but also get a boost in confidence and learn to see school as a fun, engaging activity, not a struggle.

 

 


Via Dr. Susan Bainbridge, John Evans
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Steven Blomdale's curator insight, March 6, 2013 7:35 PM

 In schools across Australia there is strong support for linking learning in Technologies with learning literacy skills. Learning in Technologies places a high priority on accurate and unambiguous communication (ACARA, 2013).Implementing digital technologies in learning areas such as English allows special education teachers to facilitate and accommodate the learning needs of students. This is achieved through integrating assistive devices such as the iPad and its applications to develop critical literacy skills needed in the 21st century.  Consequently special education teacher have a better opportunity to develop important General capabilities such as literacy (LIT) to allows student to become literate as they develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions to interpret and use language confidently for learning and communicating in and out of school and for participating effectively in society (ACARA, 2013).

 

 

This website suggests various applications that can be used on the ipad to assist special needs students. The list of  applications were selected to improve and develop students reading, writing and spelling. They engage the students through making the activities, fun and engaging, which I think is important when teaching special needs students.
Patricia Christian's curator insight, March 22, 2014 8:53 PM

You can never have enough resources to pull from when working with mainstream or challenged students. 
Deb's curator insight, March 4, 2016 5:47 PM
Lots of options to help struggling learners...
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iPod, iPad, and Android Apps for College Students

iPod, iPad, and Android Apps for College Students | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From www.unh.edu - August 7, 2012 10:30 AM

Diana Petschauer from UNH has shared a link that includes a comprehensive set of apps for iPods, iPads and Androids that could support the college students that may have challenges in reading, writing, organizing, planning, time management and vision. Each app has a description on how it can be used along with the link to iTunes to download the app.

 

Thank you Diana for this list that can "level the playing field" for college students everywhere!

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10 Apps for Learners Who Struggle with Reading and/or Writing | Free Resources from the Net for EVERY Learner

10 Apps for Learners Who Struggle with Reading and/or Writing | Free Resources from the Net for EVERY Learner | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From paulhami.edublogs.org - February 22, 2012 9:16 PM

"In this post, sharing 10 free and low-cost apps that may be especially helpful for individuals who find reading and/or writing challenging. I’ve written previously about some of these resources, but I thought it might be useful to put them together in one place, with information about the apps in point form."


Via John Evans
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Charnae LaLuzerne's curator insight, July 16, 2017 6:35 PM

The apps listed on this blog are perfect for technology-focused students in the 21st-century classroom. The comments by readers are also helpful in providing additional apps and resources for teachers. TextGrabber allows anyone to use their camera to take a picture of text and convert the text to a PDF. Dragon Dictations helps students vocalize their thoughts and captures them onto the screen. It can also play the words back to the listener. Those students who may have poor vision can use Nebulous Notes, which makes fonts larger and the colors contrast more on screen. 

    Tony Hicks (2013), the author of Crafting Digital Writing, provides many examples of differentiated instruction, including apps and digital projects for students of all reading and writing levels and grades. Sometimes, students need a little extra motivation. They can be motivated by knowing that their writing is worthwhile (Graham, MacArthur, & Fitzgerald, 2013). The apps and tools they use, as well as the texts they read, and the writing they create should be worthwhile as well. When the work and learning are worthwhile, it is authentic. Students are more likely to be able to transfer their skills to new situations if their learning is authentic. Using technology is a simple way to transition skills into the 21st-century. 

 

References:

 

Graham, S., MacArthur, C. A., & Fitzgerald, J. (2013). Best 

      practices in writing instruction (Second ed.). New York, NY:

      The Guilford Press.

 

Hicks, T. (2013). Crafting digital writing: composing texts

      across media and genres.Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
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iPad Apps for Kids with LD

iPad Apps for Kids with LD | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From www.smartkidswithld.org - December 16, 2011 12:13 PM

Some iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch apps to make learning easier for kids with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.  Just one more way to level the playing field for these kids!

 

These iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch apps are well organized and include the following categories:

>  Books

>  Reading

>  Reading - Phonics

>  Reading - Text to Speech

>  Math

>  Math - Calculators

>  Math - Money Skills and Telling Time

>  Writing - Dictation - Handwriting

>  Writing - Graphic Organizers

>  Note-taking

>  Synchronize Documents and Files On-the-Go

>  Organization and Homework Organizer

>  Reminder - Calendar

>  Study Help

>  Science and Geography

>  Research - News

>  Print from iPad

>  Scan and Read

 

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AT to watch: Speech recognition

AT to watch: Speech recognition | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From www.inov8-ed.com - December 8, 2014 11:39 AM
In this post we discuss why we're re-thinking speech recognition, and resources for the implementation of speech recognition technology.
Kathleen McClaskey's insight:

 inov8 Educational Consulting has provided important insight on speech recognition software and the process to implement it with learners. They point out an ATIA presentation, “Speech Recognition for Writing: A Complete Guide,” by Kelley Key and Daniel Cochrane who talked about a process for speech recognition and included a link to their guidelines. Additional resources are included in this all important article on speech recognition.

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iPad Apps for Complex Communication Support Needs

iPad Apps for Complex Communication Support Needs | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From www.callscotland.org.uk - August 12, 2014 3:00 PM
CALL Scotland - Provides specialist expertise in technology for children who have speech, communication and/or writing difficulties, in schools across Scotland.
Kathleen McClaskey's insight:

This 'wheel' of AAC Apps by Sally Millar and Gillian McNeill of CALL Scotland, provides a categorised guide to iPad Apps for people with complex communication support needs, who may need to use some form(s) of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).

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68 Apps for Students with Learning Disabilities

68 Apps for Students with Learning Disabilities | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From www.inov8-ed.com - December 23, 2013 5:55 PM
68 Apps for students with learning disabilities -- and some software too! From our presentation at the LDAQ "Toolbox for Success" parent conference.
Kathleen McClaskey's insight:

This inclusive list of apps from inov8 Educational Consulting includes apps that target areas of need for learners in elementary school, high school and college. These apps are broken out into 7 categories:

 

> Reading and writing support and remediation

> Language remediation

> Productivity

> Alternative literacy formats

> Numeracy

> Fine motor skills

> Executive functioning

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Pauline Farrell's curator insight, February 2, 2014 2:34 AM

and fin ally - to meet the needs of my learner demographic...
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Book Creator | The simple way to help all learners create beautiful books on the iPad

Book Creator | The simple way to help all learners create beautiful books on the iPad | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From www.redjumper.net - October 20, 2012 5:42 PM

If you have a learner that struggles to write, this is the app that can stir the imagination and help them be creative with a Wow!

 

Book Creator for iPad

• Choose from portrait, landscape or square book sizes.

• Add pictures from the Photos app; grab them from the web; move, resize and rotate them with your fingers.

• Edit text using the onscreen keyboard; apply rich formatting

• iPad's fonts - over 50 to use.

• Import video and music, and record speech within the app.

 

Here is what an Pre K-12 Assistive Technology Specialist said about this app:  "My students loved this app. They felt it was so easy to use, that they could open it for the first time and know intuitively what to do. Having it then go to iBooks and create an individual bookshelf was fantastic."

 

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iWordQ App for Struggling Readers and Writers

From itunes.apple.com - September 18, 2012 12:24 PM

"iWordQ CA is an easy-to-use writing and reading application to assist struggling writers and readers.

 

In Writing mode, a simple text editor is used for writing with the support of word prediction, abbreviation-expansion and speech feedback features. Spell-check and dictionary access is included. Use speech recognition with an iPad 3.

 

In Reading mode, text is shown in a more visually pleasing manner to improve readability. This is used for proofreading, reading to learn, silent reading, reading aloud, and casual reading/listening. A novel text chunking method (patent-pending) can be selected to enhance comprehension and readability of text to allow you to focus on one text chunk at a time."

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Two Reflective Teachers: Book Creator and Resistant Writers

Two Reflective Teachers: Book Creator and Resistant Writers | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From tworeflectiveteachers.blogspot.fr - April 6, 2012 9:50 AM

A special education teacher reflects on Book Creator and how it motivates students who are resistant writers.  Here is her story:

 

"As a Special Education teacher of upper elementary grades, I have several students who are resistant writers. This app has amazing potential to motivate them to write more since the finished product is beautiful, accessible, intuitive, and reflective of their efforts.

 

I have been using this app with one of my students with intellectual disabilities and what an incredible tool! We took pictures of this student making various emotional faces and then helped her draft a repetition book. She loved being able to record herself reading the pages and willingly practiced and practiced her Frye words and her fluency, without even realizing that she was doing it. She is also happily practicing pronunciation and sentence structure, skills that she would sometimes prefer to ignore!"

 

Thank you Melanie for telling your story.

 

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Apps for college/university students with learning disabilities | inov8 Educational Consulting

Apps for college/university students with learning disabilities | inov8 Educational Consulting | Leveling the playing field with apps | Scoop.it
From www.inov8-ed.com - January 14, 2012 6:00 PM

Here are a set of apps that inov8 Educational Consulting has reviewed that can help LD students in college in the ares of organization, note taking and research.  Share this far and wide!

 

"There are many different technologies that can help students with learning disabilities. Most college and university centres for students with disabilities (and sometimes even governments) provide information, accommodations, resources and support with many types of assistive technologies. Software is primarily designed to bypass difficulties associated with reading and writing, and can be excellent options.

 

There are several new options, however, in the way of apps in the areas of productivity, notetaking, research assistance, and organization that centres may not yet be aware of.

 

Organizational strategies for students with LDs in college or university is key to success. With a course load, research papers, collaborative assignments and a social life to juggle, college life can often be overwhelming. Effective note-taking, organization and research skills are extremely important. Here are 10 apps that we like in the area of productivity and organization"

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