iPads in Education
iPads are beneficial for students with and without disabilities. They have similar functions as a computer, but are smaller for children to hold and transport with them. iPads provide students with the opportunity for interaction, creativity, access to information and tools for meeting their special needs. For example, for students with Autism, and other students with communication disorders, an iPad can serve as a learning tool and communication device. For students with hearing impairments, an iPad can be used to provide visuals and text to enhance lessons (http://edt400project.wikispaces.com/iPads+in+Action). For all students, an iPad can be connected to an Apple TV, which is a cost efficient alternative to using a SMARTBoard, allowing teachers to circulate while teaching and promote interaction (Walsh, 2012). Many applications to assist students with special needs are available through the iPad, such as basic communication, scheduling, reading/writing, math, sign language, grammar, art and game applications.
Applications for Assisting with Speech, Writing/Reading, Math and Scheduling Needs
Applications for Assisting with Speech, Writing/Reading, Math and Scheduling Needs
Augmentative Communication Application
Proloque2Go: Application that essentially turns the iPad into a augmentative communication device through AssistiveWare. The application provides picture symbols or text that when tapped are generated into speech. Symbols and vocabulary can be added to the application, creating an augmentative communication device that is easy for students to travel with. To learn more about the benefits of this application visit:
http://www.assistiveware.com/product/proloquo2go
http://www.assistiveware.com/product/proloquo2go
Writing/Reading Application
Rainbow Sentences Application: Students are provided images to create sentences from. The who, what, where and why of sentences are color coded. Students can record their sentences, and listen to them to check accuracy. This application is beneficial for student with language and learning disabilities, as well as students with autism due to the multi-sensory approach. Extremely accessible: only $7.99 on the iTunes store. To purchase this application visit:
http://mobile-educationstore.com/apps/sentence-structure-apps/rainbow-sentences/
http://mobile-educationstore.com/apps/sentence-structure-apps/rainbow-sentences/
Math Application
MathBoard Application: Quiz generator for math skills from kindergarten throughout elementary school. You can choose the topic, range of numbers used in problems and the number of problems. The quiz displays and saves the students score. There is an area below the problems, which the student can solve problems using their finger, instead of paper and a pencil.
http://www.imore.com/mathboard-ipad-app-review
http://www.imore.com/mathboard-ipad-app-review
Scheduling Application
First-Then Visual Schedule Application: Designed for students with communication disabilities, developmental delays and autism. Allows schedules to be created for school routines, everyday events or steps for completing an activity. Schedules can easily be created at any time and visuals can be added to schedules. To learn more about this application visit
http://www.goodkarmaapplications.com/first-then-visual-schedule.html
http://www.goodkarmaapplications.com/first-then-visual-schedule.html
Additional Resources
Apple Products: Uses of the iPad in education. http://www.apple.com/ipad/
Scribd: Provides a list of special education applications and includes descriptions for each. Lists applications in the areas of alternative and augmentative communication (mid-featured, basic communication and text only), sign language, organization, reading, math, music, art and fine motor development. http://www.scribd.com/doc/24470331/iPhone-iPad-and-iPod-touch-Apps-for-Special-Education
EmergingEdTech: Results from a study of an iPad program implemented within a school, in which each student received an iPad. iPad was found to have a positive impact on learning. http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/07/study-finds-benefits-in-use-of-ipad-as-educational-tool/
Apple Products: Uses of the iPad in education. http://www.apple.com/ipad/
Scribd: Provides a list of special education applications and includes descriptions for each. Lists applications in the areas of alternative and augmentative communication (mid-featured, basic communication and text only), sign language, organization, reading, math, music, art and fine motor development. http://www.scribd.com/doc/24470331/iPhone-iPad-and-iPod-touch-Apps-for-Special-Education
EmergingEdTech: Results from a study of an iPad program implemented within a school, in which each student received an iPad. iPad was found to have a positive impact on learning. http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/07/study-finds-benefits-in-use-of-ipad-as-educational-tool/
References
AssistiveWare. (n.d.). Proloquo2Go. Retrieved from http://www.assistiveware.com/product/proloquo2go
Coppin, M., Sailers, E., & Niemeijer, D. (2012). iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch apps for special education. Retrieved
from Scribd website: http://www.scribd.com/doc/24470331/iPhone-iPad-and-iPod-touch-Apps-for-Special-
Education
Good Karma Applications. (n.d.). First Then Visual Schedule. Retrieved from
http://www.goodkarmaapplications.com/first-then-visual-schedule.html
iPads in special education. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://edt400project.wikispaces.com
/iPads+in+Action
Lofte, L. (2010, June 11). MathBoard for iPad- app review. Retrieved from iMore website: http://www.imore.com
/mathboard-ipad-app-review
Mobile Education Store. (2012, January 13). Rainbow Sentences app for iPad. Retrieved from http://mobile-
educationstore.com/apps/sentence-structure-apps/rainbow-sentences/
Walsh, K. (2012, February 08). Apple TV in the classroom – the new smart board. Received from Emerging Ed
Tech website: http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/02/apple-tv-in-the-classroom-the-new-smart-board/
Walsh, K. (2012, July 08). Study finds benefits in use of iPad as an educational tool. Received from Emerging
Ed Tech website: http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/07/study-finds-benefits-in-use-of-ipad-
as-educational-tool/
Coppin, M., Sailers, E., & Niemeijer, D. (2012). iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch apps for special education. Retrieved
from Scribd website: http://www.scribd.com/doc/24470331/iPhone-iPad-and-iPod-touch-Apps-for-Special-
Education
Good Karma Applications. (n.d.). First Then Visual Schedule. Retrieved from
http://www.goodkarmaapplications.com/first-then-visual-schedule.html
iPads in special education. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://edt400project.wikispaces.com
/iPads+in+Action
Lofte, L. (2010, June 11). MathBoard for iPad- app review. Retrieved from iMore website: http://www.imore.com
/mathboard-ipad-app-review
Mobile Education Store. (2012, January 13). Rainbow Sentences app for iPad. Retrieved from http://mobile-
educationstore.com/apps/sentence-structure-apps/rainbow-sentences/
Walsh, K. (2012, February 08). Apple TV in the classroom – the new smart board. Received from Emerging Ed
Tech website: http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/02/apple-tv-in-the-classroom-the-new-smart-board/
Walsh, K. (2012, July 08). Study finds benefits in use of iPad as an educational tool. Received from Emerging
Ed Tech website: http://www.emergingedtech.com/2012/07/study-finds-benefits-in-use-of-ipad-
as-educational-tool/