Blog June 2

To start the class off today, we examined some apps that are available for the Ipad including The Barefoot World Atlas, Enclopedia Britannica for Kids and Simple Physics. The plethora of apps availble for AT offers the teacher and student alike an almost unlimited number of ways to engage and discover the learning process. As a teacher of geography, I was particularly interested in the Barefoot World Atlas. Yes, it is geared towards younger students but the interface of the program instantly engages any student of geography. The main assignment of the day involved watching a webinar and then picking three apps to demonstrate to the class. Our group watched the webinar based on Physical Acess to Mobile Devices. Much of the seminar was devoted to describing devices which made the use of At such as an IPAD more accessible to a variety of users. As an able bodied user with functioning hands and arms, etc, these devices are not a consieration but could be considered essential to any user with mobility problems. IPAD holders, cases were discussed. Cases made of different materials, including foam, to protect the devic. As well, various holders which allowed a device to be attached to a leg were displayed as well. Our group decided to focus on three apps: WritePad, TouchTrainer and GoTalk. Although the apps were not free, their practical benefit for individuals with fine motor skills and communication issues cannot be overlooked. WritePad, to me, had the most promise with regards to allowing those with the fine motor problems the ability to communicate using a stylus or even a finger. The program converted writng into text. As well, the ability to add shortcut commands by the use further enhances the opportunity to personalize the program to the needs of the user. The last part of the day was learning about Social Stories and their application for those students on the Autism Spectrum. These tools employs short prhases and visuals to impart a story to an individual with Autism.The only consideration her is time without going on about a rant. As a classroom teacher, how do we find the time to actucally plan thse for our courses, or is it the learning center teacher who is tasked with this. I am sure that they would have a wide range of uses in almost any classroom.