I have had the opportunity to watch 3 webinars on apps for the iPod/Phone/Pad. The apps that are out there are amazing! It is incredible what technology can do.
Apps in Action Webinar
I have had my iPhone for over a year now and I was not aware of the accessibility options available. I was very glad to learn this. Voice over, zoom, large text and white on black text are what are available. Very easy to change the settings. I think it would take some time to get used to how to use each since you need to tap a different number of times to do different things which is different then what I am accustomed to but with time if I needed these settings to assist someone on my caseload or for a friend or family member to access information I am glad they are there!
In this webinar we were introduced to Apps for hearing impaired, ASD, early learners in reading, Math, visual impairments, communication and other new and noteworthy apps. I have downloaded some of the free apps already like Reducing Fractions, iCoin, and Alebra. If I get a budget for apps I will have a good idea where to start.
Reluctant Readers Webinar
Again incredible technology. One app I will definately be looking into is the audiobooks! I hopw that would be in the book bureau budget because we could purchase a few audiobooks for each novel the ELA teachers get students to read. No more asking volunteers to read out a novel and record it to save the school $100 for a book on tape. The highlighting and sticky note option on the book apps is very important feature.
Also the study guides and cliff notes are great as well. I have already looked at one for the novel the grade 9`s did last year and it looked very thorough and right on track to what the teacher was teaching.
Many of the apps presented were not applicable to my level but I know the learning centre teacher at my school received a grant for an iPad and I will be passing these names on to her.
Reluctant Writers Webinar
Many of the apps presented in this webinar are amazing fun and engaging apps to get students minds going on topics and stories. I know I thought of my daughter during many of the demos and how she would love to be creative and write a story using the app. Many of the apps presented in this webinar are posted in my Writers Blog at http://www.eneaveswriting.blogspot.com/
Website Evaluation
1. Tumbebooks
Looks like a good site. I read a study that said sustined silent reading is not the best practice for student's who are not fluent readers. These readers require more support and more guided oral readings. It may be beneficial to them to have access to these books which read to them, and show the words when teacher time is limited for guided oral readings. The will have a model of what fluent reading sounds like.
2. Earobics
Again, looks like an amazing resource for the younger grades. I have seen it recommended many times in Psych Ed evaluations of students in younger grades. The game site offered games for older students but I found the spelling one very loud and distracting with the music playing. The words seemed very basic but I did like that they sounded out the letters as you typed them.
3. Raz kids
A great site! I know friends of my daughter`s who use this site. Seems very individualized and can give teachers lots of feed back on where the student is in their reading. I like that they can access it from home (if they have technology) to practice. For my practice it would not be very appropriate because of the fact that the sire indicate right on it that it is for K-6 and it is very bright and eementary looking. I wish they would design a sight for older students.
4. PBS kids
Another great tool for teachers in the elementary grades. I have used it with my daughter many times when she was younger. The teacher page is very comprehensive as well.
5. UDL toolkit
Well I certainly saved the best for last! WOW! What an incredible site. I have bookmarked it and will be visiting and revisiting it throughout the school year! I clicked on the apps tab and will be using these articles when I am applying for my grant for the iPad. I have also looked at AND sent the webpage link for the appsineducation website to many of my collegues who are interested in technology. I have put these two links below
http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/AudioBooks
http://www.ipadineducation.co.uk/iPad_in_Education/Welcome.html
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