Free Apps for Black Friday

I am sure there are many places listing apps that are available for a reduced cost or for free, but this one seems to have a very good selection of education apps and some that are geared for special education. 

http://techinspecialed.com/appythanksgiving/index.php?s=homepage

We Rest Our Case!

After working with our iPad2s in the classroom for 7 months and trying out a few different cases, we have finally found one that works for us.

The Big Grips case is a form fitted squishy case. It is non-toxic, lead, latex, phthalate and PVC free. It works with the screen protectors we are using . It has also been easy to keep clean. As well, they have been standing up to whatever the students do to them. I have even had my iPad thrown over a student's head and land safely.

bite and scratch marks

We have tried other cases and they have worked in some classrooms and not in others. This case seems to be working in all the rooms that have it.There is nothing on the case that distracts the students from the images on the screen. The case is thick enough that little fingers find it difficult to access the volume and power button. It has also worked well with the BubCap. 

It has a stand that can be purchased separately from the frame or as a combo. We are very happy with our cases. 

Open House

***Please note: the morning session is fully booked. There are still some spaces in the afternoon.***

As Seen On TV App List

Here are the apps that were shown in the story on 60 Minutes and on CBC The National.

ABA Receptive Identification, Kindergarten.com, $0.99              

ABA Receptive Identification- FCC Combined, Kindergarten.com, $0.99              

Alphabet Zoo, Third Rail, LLC, Free

Animal Stickers, Mind Juice Media, $1.99

Answers:YesNo, Simplified Touch, $3.99

AutismXpress, StudioEmotion Pty Ltd. Inc., Free

Count to 100, Midnightsoft, $0.99

Count TV, Sesame Street, $2.99

Look In My Eyes 1 Restaurant, FizzBrain, $2.99

Peekaboo Barn, Night & Day Studios, Inc., $1.99

Piano Pals, BigStack Studios, Free

Proloquo2Go, AssistiveWare, $189.99

Thomas Game Pack, HiT Entertainment, $2.99


This is a list of the apps that were seen on these broadcasts, it does not imply a recommendation of any particular app. Please research apps before you purchase them. If possible, try a 'lite' version if one is available, or test them out on someone's device who already owns it.

In the News

It has been a fantastic fall, but very busy!

Our school was featured on CBS 60 Minutes in a story that explored how iPads and some apps are facilitating communication and social skill development in people who have autism and other developmental disabilities. You can see the story here.

That story was followed up by the CBC with both a radio interview and a story on The National.

Using an iPad might not be for everyone. Not every student who gets their hands on a device is going to be able to communicate using apps like Proloquo2Go. 

From our research, one of the things we do know is that most students find the device engaging. They will pay attention to what they see or hear on the screen. For some students it is the first time they have been able to attend for longer periods of time on anything. 

That is big. Really big. 

Success can be measured in broader terms then just expressive language. Success can be an app that entertains a child at a restaurant so that the whole family can be out together enjoying a meal. Success can be an app that allows a child to be redirected from a tantrum. Success can be an app that allows children to play together with a sibling for the first time.

I am very proud of everyone at Beverley School. The students, researchers, staff, families and community.

Phase 3

We are entering phase 3 of our study with the University of Toronto. This phase will be examining how students access touch devices (gesture mapping) and social skills.

All of our classrooms are participating in this phase with data collection. We are excited about the preliminary results.

iBallz

I was recently given 2 sets of iBallz to test out on iPad2. We were also given a Lid and a Satchel.
iBallz are a unique device protection system. 4 firm balls are connected by a cord with a notch in each ball. You fit the iPad into the notches and pull the cord tight. The tension of the cord holds the balls in place. Once in place the iPad is protected from drops, spills on the table, and bumps.

One of the balls is specially marked and notched differently to accommodate the power button, but it does cover the camera. I got used to rocking the ball to turn my iPad off, but it was more difficult to coordinate the action when I wanted to take a screen shot. You have to completely remove the ball in order to use the camera. I was given this information from the company before receiving the product.

We tried the iBallz in a few classes with a variety of students and they seemed to work very well with most students. Some students found the balls to be very distracting and were unable to concentrate on what was happening on the screen. A couple of the students liked to play with the cord, and one student used it to hold onto in order to fling the iPad. To the credit of the iBallz, the iPad was just fine!!

I did find that wrapping the Lid around the cord and securing it to the back of the iPad not only held the balls on even more securely, but the students were less distracted by the cord. However, when using it this way it was very difficult to get to the camera.

Some students used the balls to rest their hands when looking at the screen. This was beneficial because it kept their hands off of the screen reduced the frequency of accidental touches.

The case was also used with students who have physical disabilities. The case was very stable on the wheelchair tray as the balls didn't allow the device to slide around. The iPad did not move when they moved their hands and arms and allowed the students to target the screen without having to worry about holding the device stable. As well, when the iPad was knocked off of the tray or table it merely bounced slightly before settling safely on the ground.

I will admit that this was not a product that I was interested in before trying it out. I did not feel that it would offer the level of protection that I needed. After using the product I have changed my mind. It protected both the iPad1 and 2 from falls, offered students a place to rest their hands off the screen, and held the device stable on a wheelchair tray without slipping around. It didn't work for everyone, some students were too distracted by the balls and cord, but it did work well for many. We will continue to use this product.