School use of IPad technology and apps for students

Special education APPS!! (is 'apps' a word?) 

The Ipod touch has been successfully integrated into many special needs programs.  Since many children already had an Ipod, or at least some familiarity with them, some resourceful teachers decided to create a positive use for the device that would improve educational opportunities. 

There are apps to increase vocabulary, sight words, math facts, reading comprehension, organizational skills, and drawing skills, just to name a few.  Several textbook publishers have already begun to move toward an increase in the production of technologies to be used within the classroom, including class text books delivered digitally.  The benefit of carrying one 1.5 pound apple tablet vs. carrying around 50  pounds of college texts is one every student would consider a benefit.   

Not exclusive to autistic children, but certainly a staple in their lives, is the art of sequencing.  This is just one example out of hundreds, regarding the kinds of details that could be loaded onto the IPad tablet.

Software companies like cactuskids.com are continually inventing programs to make things easier. For example, using pictures of certain processes to create visual prompts, such as 'eating cereal', or 'washing your hands'- can be broken down into pictures showing the individual steps on one simple screen.  This one tool could be loaded with many adaptive technology programs, thereby reducing the need for multiple devices and potentially replacing the visual cue cards utilized by some people with autism.

Some very creative special education teachers record videos of lessons the class learned that day, or maybe skills the class is working on.  They are able to load the Ipod with that video to send home with the student, thereby making the video available to parents, who can then continue to work on that skill at home in a context that offers continuity for everyone.  This feature is also a great way for the students to do their homework independently and effectively. 

Learning how to use a digital calendar/planner is a tool that is invaluable, that could also be taught and reinforced daily with the use of an Ipod system.  Many people the world over could (and do) use daily reminders, to keep themselves on track.  Knowing how to utilize them effectively, and time management is a tool that would serve all students very well. 

Ipods can improve communication between student and teacher, and between teachers and parents.  The teacher can record instructions, and information to be sent home on the Ipod.  Messages can be recorded and sent back the same way, keeping the lines of communication wide open.   

Language skills can increase when incorporating the Ipod within the classroom.  When there is an increased level of communication, easier access to school assignments with clear instructions, and detailed reminder videos, time can be spent much more effectively. 

Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of this incorporation of Ipods in classrooms is the critical lesson of how the students can (and should) incorporate 'ordinary' technology into their lives at home AND and school.  In the past, the technology that was considered 'assistive technology' made children 'stand out' from their peers.  By incorporating a brand new IPad, the child is using state of the art technology that many people see as an every day thing-no different from a cell phone, or blackberry-except much higher in the 'cool' department.  Technology within the classroom setting everywhere has increased dramatically within the past few years within education in general, the IPad is just one more tool.

In the education field, there are many specific programs and apps that could easily incorporate the use of an Ipad within education both mainstream and specialized.  Many programs have been written for every day tasks that most people take for granted, but that some people need extra assistance with, some as simple as needing a digital voice recorder to record verbal directions, lectures, or assignments. 

It only makes sense that the Ipad's larger screen and keyboard could increase the usability of the IPad for more use withiin 'traditional' special education . If implemented correctly, it could become an indispensible tool in the toolbox of special education teachers.

Just imagine...

Imagine the usefulness of a device that would allow for the possibility of someone who relies heavily on (...as an example...) sequencing help, being able to have the data they need, stored on a system that allows them to blend in as just another IPad fan.

For many special needs students, this one feature alone would be worth the $499 price tag on the IPad.

The only downside of utilizing the IPad/IPod within the classroom setting, would be the temptation to play games, and goof off.  There would also be the need to control troublesome parents who would most definitely drool all over the shiny, neat, super cool device, wishing they could have a device of their very own.

If you liked this article, please send a comment typed neatly on a brand new IPad (a wifi model with the smallest memory would be acceptable to me) and send it express mail to Examiner.com care of me.  ;) TracyLynnCook@gmail.com.  If you would like to read more of my work,see:  Health and Happiness, Education Headlines, and Gilbert Headline News.  Thanks, and have a great day!

TLCsThoughts | Pr