Osmo Numbers

Osmo is a great system for the iPad that lets students interact with the physical and virtual world for learning. If you are unfamiliar with the Osmo they have several games: Tanagram, Word, Newton, Masterpiece, and now Numbers.  Please click on each game title and explore what each has to offer.  The apps are free to download however you will need to purchase the base and the games. To buy all of the games and the base it costs $99.  However, I personally believe this system is completely worth it especially if you are working with elementary students.

Numbers is the newest game of the Osmo system.  It offers a fun and exciting way for students to interact with their iPad along with number game pieces to solve math problems.  The game starts with counting and continues onto multiplication.

Flashcards by Chegg App

The Flashcards by Chegg App is a great app for students to use virtual flash cards.  This can keep all of their flashcards in one organized location.  The app allows users to input images into their flashcards and also allows for audio support.  Users can also search in the app to find premade flashcards for various subjects.  

Talkboard App

Talkboard is another great app to help teachers create engaging lessons for educators.  Talkboard is an app that allows teachers to use whiteboard capabilities and share it with students.  This can be  used to share with the whole class from a distance or for one on one teaching.  Try it out this app is free!  

Seesaw App

The Seesaw App is a great resource for teachers.  This app allows teachers to have a virtual portfolio of student work.  The app allows users too add pictures, videos, recordings, drawings, notes, and add links.  The app also makes it very easy for teachers to communicate with parents.  Did I mention it's free?!

Google Update (incase you missed it!)

This past month Google created a great update to Google Docs that is extremely helpful when collaborating with others.  When you are in Google Docs click on "File" and select "See New Changes" in the Docs navigation bar.  This allows the user to see the edit history and who made the edits.  This update is very helpful to be able to quickly find and see the edits from collaborators.  

Google Voice Typing

Google has just recently released Voice Typing.  This allows users to use voice dictation in Google Docs without the need of external apps or extensions.  Users can use a computers built in microphone or headphones.  Having tried out the feature myself, I can say that it does a VERY good job at picking up my voice.  I had no issues!  It is definitely a great free option for voice dictation.

Hopscotch App

Many students are now learning to code.  This is a wonderful for students because many of them will be working in some field of technology when they are looking for their career.  The Hopscotch App allows students to follow simple easy to use videos to create games, art, or something totally brand new!  This is definitely an app for our students generation.

WISE App

The WISE App is a great app for educators!  It gives teachers the power to grade multiple-choice tests, quizes, and exams on their mobile device.  Check it out!

My Video Schedule App

The My Video Schedule App is a great way for students to keep an organized schedule with video models of how to complete each task.  This app is easy to use and can be used on an iPhone or an iPad. The app has over 100+ videos that have audio with step by step instructions or you can customize with your own pictures and video.  Rewards can also be presented within a choice board.

Screencastify Extension Google Chrome

Screencastify is a free Google Chrome extension that can be downloaded in the Google Chrome Store. This is a great tool that can allow students to screencast their work on the computer.  For example they can create a Google Slides presentation and use the screencastify extension to add audio in the presentation or create a Google Drawing and use the extension to describe/tell a story about the picture.

Osmo for the iPad!

Have you ever wanted to have students complete a physical task while using the technology they love?  Now you can!  Check out Osmo and see the amazing things it can do to engage your students in learning.

RJ Cooper Apps for Free!

Right now RJ Cooper has put up four of his fantastic switch accessible apps for free on the App Store!  Go get them while you can!

Talking Picture Board App

The Talking Picture Board App is great for users who might need help clarifying themselves due to unintelligible speech.  This allows users to not have to repeat themselves over and over again.  However, they can simply go into this app and choose from over 800 symbols to find what they are looking for.  Users can also add in their own pictures!

Predictable 4.1!

You can now update you Predictable to Predictable 4.1!  There are many exciting new features you can see in the image below.  Downloading the new update is free as long as you have already purchased Predictable.

Language Stealers Video

I was recently shown this video at a workshop on AAC.  It is a great way to explain how we should teach language and promote literacy in schools to children who use AAC.

Making Sequences App

The Making Sequences App is designed to help teach story order and master steps of completing various tasks.  The app comes with 15 sequences along with narration.  Users can also create their own sequences using their own images and recording their voice.  These sequences can also be shared via Dropbox.

 

Teacher Guide for the iPad App

The Teacher Guide for the iPad app is a great resource for educators who are looking for ways to enhance their lessons.  It does not give you a long list of apps you have to sort through.  The app has over 500 ideas for lessons using the iPad across all age groups and curriculum areas, over 200 video tutorials, and regularly updates!

Green Screen by Do Ink

Green Screen by Do Ink allows users to create videos using green screen options right in their iPad.  No need to keep transporting videos from cameras to computers.  The videos can be recorded right on the iPad and edited once the video is completed.  This is a great tool to engage students into creative lessons!

Googlizing Education

I have recently created a Google Site full of information on how to using Google apps, extensions, and add-ons in the classroom.  It has step by step instructions on how to download tools, activity templates, ideas for implementing in the classroom and more!  Take a look!

New Classroom Suite 5 Now Available!

Classroom Suite has just come out with an upgrade to their system.  To see the video and check out the new upgrades click here!  If you are a current user of Classroom Suite Standalone 4 or newer, or a user of Classroom Suite Network with web 4.3 or newer, you are eligible for a FREE upgrade to Classroom Suite 5.  However, if you are using an older version of Classroom Suite, then you are eligible for a reduced cost upgrade for $70 per license. 

iModeling App

The iModeling app is a great way to use video modeling with students.  It has a very simple and user friendly interface.  Users can record and edit footage, assign a video model to a specific student account, add a reward image for watching the video model, and more!

ColorCards Apps

ColorCards has a series of apps.   All of these apps are meant to help users speech and language skills.  The apps vary from What can you see? to Sequencing 6-8 Steps. 

Color Cards Apps:
What Can You See?

Everyday Objects 

Basic Sequences

Sequences 4-Step

Sequences 6-8 Step

Predictable Update Coming soon

The Predictable communication app will be releasing a new update!  The update will have new features such as:

• 10 new Nuance voices with foreign accents for speakers of English - Turkish, Indian, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish
• 2 sample ModelTalker voices
• Choose to turn on or off the ability to use profanities
• New Theme feature display
• Change colour and opacity of the text and background in the quick keys, the keyboard keys, and the word prediction bar
• Ability to increase the size of the word prediction text
• High Contrast Option

It has not yet been stated exactly when this update will happen, but it does look like the company is releasing soon exciting new features!

WritePad for the iPad and PhatPad apps

The WritePad for the iPad app is a unique app that lets you take notes in your own handwriting.  After you take your notes in your own handwriting the app immediately converts your written work into digital text with the use of handwriting recognition software.

The same company also produces a similar app called PhatPad.  This app allows you to create and audio note,  draw, write, and type your ideas.  You also have the option of using the handwriting recognition software.  This app will pop up a line to handwrite on at the bottom of the app.  You write your work there and it will turn your handwriting into text.  This is different then WritePad because WritePad allows you to type anywhere in the app and the handwriting can be turned into text. 

WritePad costs $7.99 and PhatPad costs $4.99.  However, if you bundle the apps you can purchase them both for $7.99!

Calendoodle- The Pen and Ink Whiteboard Calendar App

The Calendoodle App is a great way for users who need a more visual calendar.  This app allows you to draw and create on your calendar.  The app has a very clean and simple interface for users and is only $1.99.

Kid in Story Book Maker: Creative Personalized Stories with Locolens Photo Editing app

This app is a really fun way of getting students engaged in creating stories.  The app comes with 12 ready-made story templates.  Users can create custom stories with your own images, text, and narration.  The stories can be shared via email or Dropbox. Insert images of students with different images and pictures to allow them to really be engaged in the story!  This app costs $6.99

10 Fingers + App

The 10 Fingers + app is a fun and interactive way to teach you children how to count with their fingers.  It uses a multi touch feature on the iPad screen that allows users to put multiple fingers on the screen and receive a response.  For example, if the user touched the screen with 3 fingers the iPad will say "Three".  There are 3 different activities within the app.  Also, this app is free for today!

 

My Planner Guide

My Planner Guide is an online service that works along with an app for the iPad and iPhone.  This is a great resource for many students and can be especially beneficial to those on the autism spectrum.  The Planner Guide is essentially a "guide to life".  It has 135 reference guides that provide information of what to expect or how to do a task in the following areas: Personal, Problem-Solving, Communication, Relationships, Community, Work, Home, Technology, School, Stress Management, Self-Advocacy, Personal Safety and Interdependence. These reference guides can be customized from your computer and then be made available on mobile devices.  The mobile app also gives users access to schedules and checklists, and a visual interactive calendar with text and age appropriate graphics that are gender and race neutral.  The Planner guide service is $30 a year (app is free but need login information).  You can explore the website and reference guides with a free 7-day trial before you purchase.

MagicalPad iPad App

MagicalPad is a note-takers dream.  This app allows the user to not just take notes digitally but to mind map, outline, use visual notes and a visual task manager.  This app allows you to insert links and images along with its colorful displays.  The app offers the user templates or you can create your own.  Another great thing about it is that it can be automatically synced to your iPad, iPhone, Mac, or iPod.

Quote to Remember!

aacorn App

The aacorn App is a very different type of communication system.  This app has a very engaging and fun interface for children.  It also uses human recorded voices!  This is great and unlike other apps that use text-to-speech voices.  However, this does mean when inputting new vocabulary the user will have to record a voice.  One thing about this app that makes it different from the rest is its "word tree."  The word tree uses word prediction to predict the next word your child will use.  It also learns from what the user states most frequently.  This app is usually $189 but it is currently having an assistive technology conference sale and is available for $79.99.

Autism Village App (not yet released)

In honor of Autism Awareness Day, I wanted to share a great idea of a father whose child is on the autism spectrum.  This kickstarter campaign has already surpassed its fundraising goal!  The campaigns goal is to create an app that allows families/caregivers to search for autism friendly places in the area.  It can be very difficult for families to find a place where they can feel comfortable, where people understand, and where the families can be themselves without having to worry.  The name of the app is Autism Village.  Hopefully it will be released in the near future!  Also, this will be a FREE app!

Snap&Read Google Chrome Extension

Snap&Read is a Google Chrome extension by Don Johnston.  This is a powerful extension gives the user access to text-to-speech on all visible text.  The text can even be changed into different levels to help readers who are really struggling. 

50% off Proloquo2Go!

The Proloquo2Go communication app will be 50% off on April 2nd for Autism Acceptance Day!  This app costs around $220 so it can save you over one hundred dollars! 

MI remote: Accessible Environmental Control for Children

The MI remote app allows users to control varies parts of their home such as using the television.  It has a very simple interface that is perfect for children.  The app also allows multiple customizable features such adding your own images, text, sound, and change colors.  The app features switch access!  This app also includes an interactive story mode where users make their own stories for different things such as a remote control toy. This app does require 3rd party hardware to work as a remote control.  The iTach Flex, must be used or many functions within the app will not work.

Google for Education: Education on Air Conference

Let me start off by saying the Education on Air Conference is completely FREE and you can do it from the comfort of your own home or office.  This is a two day (May 8th & 9th) conference that is completely online.  The first day will consist of short keynote presentations and panels leading topics such as "leading change and fostering innovation in schools."  The second day you can join their over 90 sessions wish topics such as "supporting literacy in early learners."  This is a great way to learn more about integrating successful use of technology into the classroom!

Update to Proloquo2Go

Proloquo2Go is coming out with a brand new update to their app!  According to the makers of Proloquo2Go the new update "includes brand new vocabularies, a more efficient redesigned edit mode and lots of other new features designed to better support motor-planning and language development."  The update is supposed to come by mid-April.  If you currently have Proloquo2Go the company is telling you not to worry about losing your old vocabulary.  "For anyone planning to update to Proloquo2Go 4 when it comes out, there is no need to worry about losing your customizations. Proloquo2Go 4 will let you continue to use your current vocabulary without any changes. If you want to benefit from all of the new features it is best to create a new user using the new vocabulary, but you can continue to use your current user in version 4 without a problem."
The bad news....if you are thinking about purchasing Proloquo2Go the price will go up from $219.99 to $249.99.  So if you are seriously considering purchasing this app and want to save $30.00 I would suggest purchasing it before mid-April. 

 

Comic Life 3 App

The Comic Life 3 app is a great way to allow students to show their creative side!  This app allows users to create a story by putting it into a comic book format.  The app even allows you to use your own pictures and make them into comic book images.  This is just another tool to engage students in writing activities and show their creative sides!

Math Planet Apps

These series of apps are free for today! Math planet has a series of apps from grade 1-5th and then another app for middle school.  These apps are really fun and interactive, but the students are still constantly involved in completed grade level math work.  Also, the app allows you to see a summary of the student skills in several different areas.

Be My Eyes App

The Be My Eyes app is an interesting app that uses volunteers to help blind or visually impaired users.  When a user with a vision impairment needs assistance (for example seeing expiration date, in a new environment) they can use the app to connect with another person who can assist them.  There are more than 163, 800 sighted users using the app and about 16,300 blind users.  This gives plenty of people to assist the blind user.  For example if one sighted user is busy, the app will find the next available sighted user in the network.

 

 

Visual Currency Calculator App

The Visual Currency Calculator App is a great iPhone app for students learning how to count money.  The app allows users to have a visual of the actual coins and bills they are adding.

Interactive Time Telling App

There are two versions you can get of this app.  You can get the lite version which is free or you can purchase the full version for $2.99.  This app  allows users to learn to tell time using an analog clock in a fun and interactive way.  It also helps users by giving visuals on whether the clock is set for day time or night time.  There is also a lot of auditory feedback to tell the users what time they are setting on their clock.  The difference between the lite and full version is that the full version gives users more games to choose from and more levels of difficulty.  In the full version their is also a quiz mode, tutorials for young learners, and the ability to learn times in several different languages.

Showbie app

The Showbie app allows educators to have a more organized and paperless classroom.  This app allows users to assign, collect, and review work from your iPad.  Educators can also provide feedback to students work by adding annotations, text notes, and voice notes.  The app also allows your students to complete creative assignments by allowing users to have access to record voice notes, video, and take pictures.