Inclusion Support Service Jackie Muggleton Ipad Apps for SEN ipads are a very powerful learning tool for children with SEN. They are designed as a personal device and offer tremendous flexibility and accessibility for learners. Software packages for ipads are called apps (applications) and may be bought via a credit/debit card or gift voucher via an itunes account. Apps are sometimes free however these will either feature advertisements or are a limited taster (lite) version of a bought application. Before buying and deploying ipads it is worth discussing safe usage protocols, especially as they have the facility to photograph and film action and have access to the internet. Protective covers or ipad balls are essential.
General information ipads are lightweight and attractive; they offer a wide range of communication and recording options. Their size and attractiveness offer a discrete and motivating resource. Because of their expense need to be used to the full range of their capability. Will require efficient WiFi if you want to research over the internet. They are not designed to replace PCs. They offer text to speech options as part of their standard accessibility settings. Third generation ipads offer voice dictation To take a screen shot hold down the power and the ipad home button, your screen shot will be stored in your camera roll.
Apps There are a bewildering range of Apps for ipads/iphones and mini ipads. Below are some of the ipad apps ISS have explored and recommend. ipad tutorials are often available on You Tube. There are various web sites that recommend ipad apps. Education Apps Momswithapps Apps for pupils with Special Needs Name price description comments Our rating Hairy Letters - literacy 1.99 Produced by Bristol Dyslexia Centre as part of the Nessy family, this is a phonics program includes short animations for each sounds, a tracing exercise and simple games. As yet it only features single sounds, fabulous sound effects and good graphics. Very appealing. Puppet Pals HD Language, literacy, social stories. Or 1.49 Simple to use animation programme, reminiscent of Monty Python. If you want to add your own characters and scenes you need to use the paid version. Hours of fun, multiple possibilities in school. Can support writing, be used as an alternative method or recording or to produce personalised social stories Can be edited via imovie
Explain everything Cross curricular Clicker Sentences Supportive word processor 1.99 An easy to use alternative method of recording that combines pictures, video, audio recording and writing to produce explanations and presentations. 14.99 Very easy to use grid based word processor with text to speech and visual support. Very intuitive and offers tremendous potential as an alternative method of recording. Really useful tool for accessing writing KS1 upwards Clicker Docs Supportive word processor 17.99 More sophisticated easy to use grid based word processor with text to speech and visual support. Suitable upper KS2-3 Poplets Mind mapping tool free Very flexible and easy to use tool Easy, useful and free - you can t get better than that.
DyslexiaQuest Dyslexia resource Dragon Dictation Voice to text Produced by Bristol Dyslexia Centre as part of the Nessy family Offers practice in sub skills related to dyslexia e.g. working memory, visual discrimination Produced by Bristol Dyslexia Centre as part of the Nessy family offers an animation on what it is like to be dyslexic plus a checklist and tips for parents and schools Really good voice to text software, easy to use. Useful both to record information as text and as a spell checker Quite engaging Really good animated story Will not work in schools until we have a transparent proxy server, but is really useful app for home use. ( if it worked in school) Autism Apps reference free This app collates, sorts and signposts other autism apps Useful app if you want to find apps for children with autism. Hungry Fish numeracy ( lite version) 2.49 for additional strands Addition, subtraction practice, attractive and engaging practice app. Addictive
Dexteria Fine motor skills Talking Harry Language Maths 3-5 Maths 4-6 Maths 2.99 Fine motor skills activities Useful LetterRelex and P.O.V (Point of View) are other apps made by the same company, good for BDPQ recognition and spatial skills. (lite version) 3.99 for full Harry seems to be a hedgehog who repeats what you say to him and reacts very oddly to fizzy drinks. Really nice varied numeracy practice. Bizarre but possibly useful, especially with children with communication needs. There is also Talking Tom who does the same thing but is a cat! Voices have an English accent Chicktionary Spelling game Bizarre, engaging spelling game Uses upper case which is a shame Bee-Bot - control Simple control program
Glowpaint Sensory Drawing Lovely glowing colours on a black background, adds on page. Doodle buddy Drawing Does what it says in the title. You too could be David Hockney Choice creator Choice board creator free Create your own choice boards adding your own photos and audio Choiceworks 2.99 Will make schedules, with a timer, uses visuals words and sounds, then indicates rewards. Or act as a timer for specific situations i.e. waiting or when upset. Also contains books to explain being upset. Can be edited easily. Could be used very flexibly. American voice Stories2Learn 9.99 Sequencing social stories We haven t downloaded this one, as it s expensive but I understand it is used by Blackhorse resource base. Reviews on the net look very positive.?
Sock Puppets 2.49 Make animations using sock puppet, puppets lip sync to your words. Spellosaur 2.49 Spelling practice. Paid version offer multiple users. If you have puppet pals, this offers less except it does lip sync to the words. You can add your own spellings and use your own voice to record the words. Lexico (lite) 6.99 for full version Shapes and related maths language e.g. bigger, smaller, above, below next to etc Audiobooks free Librivox are one of many audio book providers, there are free books available or better recordings for a fee Books are read by volunteers so quality varies. Good for classics.