Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Apps for Complex Needs: Emergent Literacy

The Learners with Complex App Wheel (https://www.callscotland.org.uk/common-assets/cm-files/posters/ipad-apps-for-learners-with-complex-additional-support-needs.pdf) from CALL Scotland (https://www.callscotland.org.uk/home/) is divided into 6 large sections, each of which may have smaller sections as well.  The 6 larger sections are:
  • Cognition
  • Self-Regulation
  • Creativity
  • Communication
  • Emergent Literacy
  • Emergent Numeracy
Each section has a minimum of one app that is free.  This week I am going to briefly talk about the free apps in the Emergent Literacy section.

Under the Emergent Literacy section of the App Wheel, two of the apps are free.

Bitsboard Flashcards & Games  (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bitsboard-flashcards-games/id516842210?mt=8): Choose from tens of thousands of gorgeous flashcards and carefully curated lessons covering hundreds of topics.  Customize cards to meet the specific learning needs of your students. Bitsboard even keeps track of every answer for every game, user, and board.

Fairytale Play Theatre  (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/fairytale-play-theatre/id1076993415): This app lets you set the stage, choose your characters, and create and record your own story!

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Apps for Complex Needs: Communication

The Learners with Complex App Wheel (https://www.callscotland.org.uk/common-assets/cm-files/posters/ipad-apps-for-learners-with-complex-additional-support-needs.pdf) from CALL Scotland (https://www.callscotland.org.uk/home/) is divided into 6 large sections, each of which may have smaller sections as well. The 6 larger sections are:
Cognition
Self-Regulation
Creativity
Communication
Emergent Literacy
Emergent Numeracy

Each section has a minimum of one app that is free. This week I am going to briefly talk about the free apps in the Communication section.

Under the Communication section of the App Wheel, four of the apps are free.

SoundingBoard (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/soundingboard/id390532167?mt=8): You can create custom boards using AbleNet symbols or your own words.

Sensory Speak Up - Vocalize (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sensory-speak-up-speech-therapy/id655636902?mt=8): A visually stimulating simple game style app that responds to sounds. It can be used to encourage children to vocalize and make sounds.

Sensory CineVox - speech therapy for vocalizing (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/id673958511): A visually stimulating, simple and fun app that improves vocalization and speech.

Bla | Bla | Bla (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/bla-bla-bla/id430815432?mt=8): A sound reactive application derived from an exercise called “Parametric Mask”.

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Apps for Complex Needs: Creativity

The Learners with Complex App Wheel (https://www.callscotland.org.uk/common-assets/cm-files/posters/ipad-apps-for-learners-with-complex-additional-support-needs.pdf) from CALL Scotland (https://www.callscotland.org.uk/home/) is divided into 6 large sections, each of which may have smaller sections as well.  The 6 larger sections are:
  • Cognition
  • Self-Regulation
  • Creativity
  • Communication
  • Emergent Literacy
  • Emergent Numeracy
Each section has a minimum of one app that is free.  This week I am going to briefly talk about the free apps in the Creativity section.

Under the Creativity section of the App Wheel, six of the apps are completely free.

     Puppet Pals HD  (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/puppet-pals-hd/id342076546?mt=8): Simply pick out your actors and backdrops, drag them on to the stage, and tap record. Your movements and audio will be recorded in real time for playback later.
     Sock Puppets  (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sock-puppets/id394504903?mt=8): Create your own lip-synched videos and share them. Add Puppets, props, scenery, and backgrounds and start creating. Hit the record button and the puppets automatically lip-synch to your voice.
     Clips  (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/clips/id1212699939?mt=8): Lets you make fun videos to share with friends and family.
     Finger Paint with Sounds  (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/finger-paint-with-sounds/id586598528?mt=8): Explore touch with color, sounds or music. Finger Paint with Sounds offers a fun alternative to help children with special needs and others to practice their first interactions with a touch screen. Simply choose a colour and draw with music, fun sound effects or no sound at all.
     Quiver - 3D Coloring  (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/quiver-3d-coloring-app/id650645305?mt=8): Combines physical coloring with state of the art augmented reality technology.  Print pictures from the app to color and then use the app to watch them come to life.
     Keezy Drummer  (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/keezy-drummer/id933630069?mt=8): Simple to use programmable drum machine. The app includes 12 percussion sounds, up to 9 layers of sound at a time, and one or two bars per layer.

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Apps for Complex Needs: Self-Regulation

The Learners with Complex App Wheel (https://www.callscotland.org.uk/common-assets/cm-files/posters/ipad-apps-for-learners-with-complex-additional-support-needs.pdf) from CALL Scotland (https://www.callscotland.org.uk/home/) is divided into 6 large sections, each of which may have smaller sections as well.  The 6 larger sections are:
  • Cognition
  • Self-Regulation
  • Creativity
  • Communication
  • Emergent Literacy
  • Emergent Numeracy
Each section has a minimum of one app that is free.  This week I am going to briefly talk about the free apps in the Self-Regulation section.

Under the Self-Regulation section of the App Wheel, three of the apps are completely free. 

Under the Relaxation section:
     Relax Meditation  (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/relax-meditation-mindfulness-sleep-sounds-noise/id367506176?mt=8): Promoting your wellbeing through mindful meditation.
     Super Stretch Yoga  (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/super-stretch-yoga/id456113661?mt=8):  A fun, interactive yoga app created for kids!
     Breathe In  (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/breathe-in/id1242508538?mt=8): Provides simple exercises to help you breathe consciously.