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 Cognition section.
Under the Cognition section of the App Wheel, two of the apps are free.
Toca Kitchen Monsters (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/toca-kitchen-monsters/id510301841?mt=8): The Toca Kitchen app lets you cook and play with food. You can pick any ingredient and prepare it in your own way! Slice, boil, fry, cook, microwave or mix!
Gravitarium (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/gravitarium/id741646894?mt=8): An extraordinary journey into a world of particle animation. Guide the particle flow with your fingers for up to 10 different formations (subject to the number of fingers you have available ;-).
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!
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”.
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.
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.
CALL Scotland: Communication, Access, Literacy and Learning is a great site designed by the University of Edinburgh. They have an "App Wheel" Series (https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/) that attempts to identify useful, relevant apps that can be used as tools for teaching and learning. Each wheel in the series in interactive, so all of the links take you directly to the App Store!
CALL Scotland has recently updated their Complex Needs Apps Wheel (https://www.callscotland.org.uk/common-assets/cm-files/posters/ipad-apps-for-learners-with-complex-additional-support-needs.pdf). There are some fantastic apps on this wheel and some of them are FREE. I will be reviewing some of the free apps over the next few weeks as my Blog post.
If you would like to see what other posters, leaflets or "App Wheels" CALL Scotland has to offer please visit the Posters and Leaflets page
(https://www.callscotland.org.uk/downloads/posters-and-leaflets/) of the website.
"The Power of Words" is a video that was created by Judy Endow. The video is a few years old so the ratio of individuals with ASD is old, but the message about person first language and actions still holds so very true.
Judy Endow, MSW is an author and international speaker on a variety of autism-related topics, is part of the Wisconsin DPI Statewide Autism Training Team and a board member of both the Autism Society of America, Wisconsin Chapter and the Autism National Committee. In addition, Judy is a member of the Autistic Global Initiative (AGI), a program of the Autism Research Institute that is self-run by a committee of autistic adults working in the autism fields. AGI is devoted to raising awareness on adults with autism and building bridges between all constituents in our autism community. Judy maintains a private practice in Madison, Wisconsin, providing consultation for families, school districts and other agencies. Besides having autism herself, Judy is the parent of three now grown sons, one of whom is on the autism spectrum. In her spare time Judy enjoys expressing her thoughts and ideas by creating one-of-a-kind hand-built pottery sculptures and painting with acrylics. Please visit www.judyendow.com for more information on Judy.
The video is just over 12 minutes long and worth the watch and reminder. Please take the time and watch:
The Power of Words (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6HY6gX3eEs)
