iPod Touch and Educational Apps

The student to benefit from the apps purchased through iTunes:
• 17 years, Currently in High School in grade 12
• Diagnosis of Landau- Kleffner Syndrome : inability to express language
• Limited mobility
• Weakening fine motor skills due to a slight tremor
• Daily seizures
• Degenerative condition
• Loves technology, electronics and is very social and wants to communicate.
• Augmentative Communication Device implemented at school

The three apps chosen for the student described above are:
1. Time Timer: this is a visual timer. The student currently uses a visual timer in the classroom so that he knows how long he has to work on a given task, how long he has for his free time, and to aid in transitioning from task to task, when going to class, when beginning or ending lunch time, and when going home at the end of the day. With the visual timer, there has been increased independence, less behaviours, and smoother transitions. The timer he currently uses has to be transported with him when he goes to class in another room and is sometimes forgotten, etc. If he had his own timer on his iPod Touch that were with him at all times, there would be increased consistency, and therefore, increased success. Having his own timer would also increase his independence in that he could set the timer on his own and shut it off when his task is complete.
2. Build a Bragbook Story: This free app is perfect for the AT user. He is extremely social, and loves to show off his completed work, pictures of himself and his family, and pictures of things he is interested in, such as trucks and Disney characters. He currently has a small bag of pictures and items that he carries with him to show others. If he were to create his own “bragbook” which he had regular access to on his iPod Touch, he would be able to initiate communication using his AT device; this is an IPP goal. Having personal images would also create natural dialogue, be of interest to this student, and would allow him to introduce himself and his interests to others – which is his favorite thing to do- therefore, this would motivate him to communicate and to use his AT.
3. The next 4 apps are all chosen as ways for the student to access the curriculum.
• Yummy Store: Is an interactive game that has the player chose between healthy and unhealthy food. As images pop up on the screen, the player has to quickly touch all of the symbols that represent vegetables and ignore the ones that represent ‘junk’ food. In the Daily Living Skills class that the student will be taking in the Fall, the outcomes include understanding healthy versus unhealthy eating choices. This game is a fun way to have the student show his understanding of which foods are healthy. The need to touch the screen quickly and in an exact spot on the screen may also aid in this particular student maintaining some of his dexterity and fine motor skills.
• Mapper: This free app is a geography education tool with a series of maps that are colour coded and need labeling through matching the place name with the area of land. In Global Geography 12- which is mandatory to graduate, there are mapping outcomes. These outcomes often need to be adapted for many students who cannot draw or label maps easily. This app would be the perfect way of having students practice labeling maps and identifying places interactively.
• Pizza Fractions:Comparing simple fractions The free app has tasks that have students practice simple fractions using pizzas and slices as manipulatives. It is interactive, brightly coloured and has a funny chef character; all of which would appeal to this particular learner. One of our schools goals is to increase student use, comprehension, and practice of fractions in all curriculum areas. This game would support this school initiative while also motivating the student to practice and learn fractions at his ability level.
• The Enchanted Forest of Goblins lite: touchy book: This student does enjoy story books and interesting pictures, however, they are often read to him by an EPA or teacher. This interactive story book is of high interest and is read aloud by the app through the iPod Touch. The pictures move on the screen, the reader can make the story interact through touch and the story topic is of high interest for this learner. This book would increase independence for the student who could read the book on his own as it is read to him through the device and he can also engage in the story through his touch. This would certainly help in having the student meet listening and responding outcomes in English Language Arts curriculum.