My Pictures Talks

App Title: My Pictures Talk

Grade Level: Any

Purpose: A - Think "Photo Story 3 meets the iOS." A simple to use slideshow creation tool. 

Program Functionality: B+ - I really like how easy it ease to create a new slideshow. It's simple to pull in pics or video synched to your device or use your devices camera (hopefully iPad2's also?) to add. It's also incredibly easy to add text and audio directly on to slides. The only drawback is, once you finish a slide, you are directed back to the slideshow home page to create a new page. I would love to see a "save and make new slide" button. Files are also shared as a zip file, not as a movie.

Overall Educational Value: A - The app bills itself as a "video modeling tool." Our original purpose for this app was exactly that - using it with special education students to work on video modeling. But the app is so flexible, I could see it being used for a LOT of different purposes in the elementary classroom.

Cost: $9.99 ($4.99 if you buy 20 in Apple's VPP)

Classroom Use/Ideas: Again, the flexibility of this tool is amazing and really only limits you to your imagination. Combining real pictures or video with the text and audio can be huge for the special education student needing extra guidance or any student wanting to share what they know. And all of the creation can be done on the iOS device.

iTunes link: My Pictures Talk

Reviewer: Josh Allen

Blog: The Tech Fridge

iPads, iPods & iPhones as Adaptive Tech: CECA Conference 2010

This presentation is a quick overview to using iOS devices as adaptive technology for exceptional students. 

iPads, iPods & iPhones as AT

Presented at the Connecticut Educator's Computer Association Conference in October of 2010.

First Then Visual Schedule

App Title:  First Then Visual Schedule

Grade Level: PreK, K, Special Ed

Purpose: A

This is a wonderful tool for young children and for those who need communication support. It is especially good for special education and autism

Program Functionality: A

Simple to set up a visual schedule. Voice can also be added.

Overall Educational Value: A

Great tool for helping those who need a visual schedule to help them through their day.

Cost: Pro version for iPhone and iPod Touch - $9.99

Compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

Overview:  First Then Visual Schedule provides a tool to create various schedules for those who need guidance and communication. There are stock images of basic self help skills, like dressing, brushing teeth, toilet, and more. Or you can pick images from your image library or take a photo with your iPhone camera. A recording feature allows a voice to be recorded. So the individual could record their own voice into the program.

The visual schedule can be view so that each image is viewed one at a time, or with arrows pointing to the next event.

Recommendation:  This app could be used both in the classroom or for students' personal use.  Visual schedules help set a child up to be successful with clear expectations by promoting understanding of upcoming events. The ease of use make this program a great solution for those with communication needs.

Classroom Use Examples / Ideas:  Special needs students, PreSchool and Kindergarten students feel more secure when they know the schedule. A schedule for the day can be added to their iPod allowing them to check it as needed. This will make transitioning to the next event much easier.

App Website: http://www.goodkarmaapplications.com/index.htm

Developer Website: http://www.goodkarmaapplications.com/index.htm

iTunes Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/first-then-visual-schedule/id355527801?mt=8

Reviewer Name: Gayle Berthiaume

Reviewer Blog: What Have I Learned?

Nice Article on iPod touch for Meeting the Needs of Special Learners

Direct Quote:

Reaching All Learners with Apple's Mobile Devices 

While the iPod touch can offer engaging, exciting learning opportunities to all students, perhaps one of the greatest ways the device can be used in education is helping those students who have exceptional learning needs beyond their peers. As a capable and very extensible device, the iPod touch can become a powerful and useful tool specifically to ensure special learners can succeed in any learning environment

Check out the Apple Exchange for the full article: http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/story.php?itemID=16472&version=7723&page=21