Anytime someone asks you:
"Why choose iPad?"
(Show them this video)
"Why choose iPad?"
(Show them this video)
In Class Presentation of Case Studies
Donna - girl in Grade Primary
- Writing text right to left, articulation concerns.
Supports/apps used:
Where to go next?
- use of qwerty keyboard, OT referral
Helen - 2 boys in Grade 2
- Writing & spelling a concern, staying on task
Supports/apps used:
Where to go next?
- speech to text program
Sandy - 4 students in Grade 6
- Many students working below grade level
- High needs, low support available (both human & technology)
- Past intervention = remediation
Supports/apps used:
Where to go next?
- Ask for time at a future school board meeting, get on the agenda and have the kids do a persuasive video or presentation about the value of technology and how it motivates kids.
Selena - 2 boys in Grade 7
- LD, Processing difficulties & Dysgraphia
Supports/apps used:
- iBooks
- text to speech
- Pages app
- HD notes
- Drop Box
- Word processing
- Infuse learning
- iTunes U
- iPad helps to support organization
Where to go next?
- use Claro PDF to allow students to add to documents
Lee - 37 students diagnosed with LD in high school
Supports/apps used:
Where to go next?
- training for staff (iTunes U)
- touch points & further training for students
Elaine - boy in Grade 8
- LD in reading and writing (working memory, reading comprehension, written output)
Supports/apps used:
- Co-writer
- Pages
- Book Creator
- Graphic organizers
- Claro PDF
- Readiris
- Google Drive
- HD notes
Angela - 3 boys in Grade Primary/One
- no formal diagnosis, speech support in place, fine-motor needs
Supports/apps used:
- camera on iPad
- Starfall
- Book Creator
- Touch and Write
- Learn with Homer
- Doodle Budy
- Kids Doodle
Touch Write Phonics app
Stephanie - young female
- OCD, schizophrenia, developmental delay
Supports/apps used:
- low tech supports for isolating bus schedule
- iPod touch timer
- MedCoach Medication Reminder
- low tech option - cards with reminders
- Live Scribe pen - mid tech option
Where to go next?
- exploration of new easy to use apps
Amy - boy in Grade 4
- written output, reading below grade level, organization concerns
Supports/apps used:
Where to go next?
- Book Creator
- Voice Recording (Powerpoint)
- Clicker Sentences
- Pic Collage
Mackenzie - boy in Grade 7
- reading at a Primary/One level, speech challenges (difficult to understand)
Supports/apps used:
- iPad
- Socrative
Shawna - boy in Grade One
- sight word vocabulary in isolation a challenge (recognition & spelling), participates in the PATHS Program
Supports/Apps:
Where to go next?
- set guided access on iPad
Building relationships is the key to working with students. A child therapist Bob Ditter that I worked with in a summer camp setting once described it as "putting money in the bank". We need to build solid relationships with the students we work with, getting to know them beyond the strengths and challenges they experience with academic skills. School is often one of the only safe and consistent places for them. We need to be in tune with their interests and tap into these to help "hook" the students that we are working with. It is evident from our class today that people have been working hard to develop these relationships and find what works best to meet the needs of their students.
What we see time and time again is that technology is a motivator and it helps to unleash their voice and support their abilities.
After reflecting on the presentations today it is evident that the level of support for students across the province is not equitable. I loved Angela's comparison to a carpenter going into their toolbox and not having the things they need to do their job. This is the same in the education field. Not only do we need to provide students and staff with the tools, we need to give them the training to use these tools to support learning.
Why use iPads in schools?
Hi Theresa! First of all, thanks so much for posting all of our presentations! I had written down information as people were presenting but your summaries shared more info and this was very helpful pulling it all together!
ReplyDeleteYour case study with your grade 4 student resonated with me because that seems to be the grade/age level where many of our students are flagged and awaiting services, assessments, etc. When you spoke about the level of confidence that happened when your student began to develop self-confidence with himself and his abilities with written output, expression, demonstrating knowledge and confidence and sharing his work with others, it made me happy but sad at the same time. We know many of these students have had difficulty right from the beginning of their school careers, and when I think about what assistive technology tools are available for children at such an early age, it would be great to provide these apps that we know would work at an early stage, and look at the RTI model, with prevention or early intervention from the get go, and not wait until there are gaps in ability and output, thus affecting self esteem, confidence or the intrinsic desire to want to learn despite the difficulties and presenting challenges with achievement.I really enjoyed your presentation and again, thanks for all the great information. Co-Writer is a great tool and needs to be used with many more of our students. What a difference this program has made for many students! Happy Holidays to you and yours, and it has been a pleasure learning with you over the past several weeks. As well, thanks for all your tutorials and patience with me as I venture on with my iPad! :)
Donna
Thanks Donna! The case study really helped to make me more aware of the needs our students face with things that we often take for granted. The writing process is so complex and tools like Co-Writer and a fabulous way to support the students and give them the tools they need to succeed.
DeleteI have enjoyed this course so much and feel sad that it's over. I hope that people will continue to use their blogs and share info. about new apps, etc that they are using with their students. We need to keep this networking alive. I am sure that I can speak for everyone when I say that we love getting Barb's emails about free apps :) Happy Holidays!