iOS6

I have been reading about the new iOS system that Apple is releasing in the fall. It comes with some exciting additions for students with developmental disabilities under the Guided Access feature.

With the new iOS you will be able to disable the home button. That will allow teachers to set up an app for a student and not have to worry about them getting out of it. It will also ensure that when a student is making a choice of apps that they won't be able to just pop in and out of different apps without spending time first.

The other exciting change that is coming with the new operating system is the ability to restrict where the screen is touch sensitive. In my classroom that means that I will be able to isolate the small area where an iPhone app has been magnified for the iPad screen so that when they touch that space nothing will happen. It will also make it possible to restrict some areas on a screen that would allow a student to go back to a menu or an additional feature.

I am looking forward to starting the school year off with these new enhanced features!

Free Apps

There are many apps that are free right now in recognition of Autism Awareness. I was happy to see one of my favorite set of apps were also free right now. All of the apps by kindergarten.com are free. They make flash cards and receptive language assessments. What makes these apps special is the quality of the images they use and the customization options for assessment.

The New iPad

I listened to the Apple Event yesterday for news of the iPad3. I was pleased to hear about the improved graphics, faster processor, and higher resolution camera. The upgrades are impressive, but I am not sure it is something we need to invest in right now. The changes between the original iPad and the iPad2 were game-changing. The camera and mirroring capability were reason enough for us to purchase some. I think that for how we are using our devices right now in the classroom we can hold off on investing in the newest version for a while. 


The App store also released a new app for the Mac called Apple Configurator. It is a free app that allows schools and businesses to manage multiple devices from a single account. It creates a way for a person to manage up to 30 devices. It even allows for this management to happen remotely. 


I can see many benefits to using this app with our devices. I wonder how it will impact the personalization and customization that each of our tablets have in the classroom. Each teacher has taken the time to format their device to the needs of their students and classroom environment. We have chosen not to have a single charging/synching station for this reason. 


I am also curious about the line in the description that refers to the Volume Purchase Plan restrictions on apps when using the Apple Configurator. I believe it might have been designed to work together with the Volume Purchasing Plan, making it a much better option for system wide management rather then what we are doing at our school. 

Proloquo2Go Donation Program

Proloquo2Go has started a Proloquo2Go app donation program in the US which is intended to help those with limited funds get access to their communication application. So if have been struggling to get this app for a person, follow this link for more info.  - http://proloquo2go.com/News/

Playboard Review



symbols clustered for a student with
limited range of motion



Playboard is an app created by Aardustry LLC. It is an easy to use display board that includes images and voice recordings. There are 6 pages that each have 12 cells.

What I really like about this app is how simple it is to customize each page for individual student needs. The images don't have to be side by side, or even in a line.  Some of the other communication apps that are available don't allow for blank spaces between cells or for the choice of where to place an image. With Playboard you are free to set your images in any combination of the 12 cells that makes sense for the person you are designing the board for.

Each symbol or picture from your library can be paired with a voice recording. You can change the settings for the display in the Settings. You can lock page scrolling, access to editing, and if you can see the outline of the empty cells or not.

Snack choice board with
empty cells showing

Aardustry also makes afree app called Playbutton. This app allows you to record a single message with a large playback button for the student to press. Easy to record and re-record as needed.

iCymbals

We were recently generously donated some iPad Motion Mounts from a company called iCymbal. They are a hard plastic grip style backing that secures to a flexible arm mount that can be attached to any surface. They come in a variety of colours and with 2 sizes of clamping arms.With the shorter arm you can remove the clamp from the arm and use it as a tripod on any flat surface.







We have them in a few of our classrooms and have found that they really can be mounted just about anywhere.  The mount is very secure and when tightened the tablet does not move. It can however be rotated and positioned to however you need it to be.

I have been using one at snack time with a young student. The Motion Mount is clamped with the short arm to the table and the tablet is positioned just right for his reach, off to the side where it isn't not getting in the way of his snack. I have also been able to adjust the angle of the tablet to reduce glare and have the images presented clearly and in his line of sight.We have also used it as you see in this picture while working with some of our other apps. 

I found with the shorter arm length that it was a bit more difficult to position on a stander or wheelchair and have the same range of tilt and positioning options. It worked great for an app that students were watching or listening to. With the longer arm you would be able to have more positioning options  for students with restricted mobility or limited vision.

Top 10 Canadian EdTech Newsmakers

We are so honoured to be named MindShare Learning's #1 pick for Top 10 Canadian EdTech Newsmakers of 2011. The people and organizations who make up the top 10 are an impressive group, each with amazing achievements and contributions to education and technology.

We have been working hard at our school with our students to integrate tablet technology into the curriculum and to use apps for communication.

We have seen some amazing things with our students, hearing some of them communicate their thoughts and feelings for the first time, watching them be able to attend for longer periods of time, seeing them reach out to make music independently.

Thank you for acknowledging the hard we have done and helping us to celebrate our achievements.