Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Changes are coming


This summer has gotten off to a great start for me, at least personally.  I've spent the last week hanging out with my daughter, doing fun summer stuff, and pretty much ignoring this blog.  I'll admit school got a little hectic at the end of the year.  You see my classroom was moved to another classroom in the building.  As you can imagine that left me with a large job of packing and sorting a ton of stuff.  On top of the classroom moving, I've decided to step into a new role in the district.  I will be at the same school and still have a self-contained special education class, but I'll also be the Assistive Technology Coordinator (at least on a part time basis with another teacher).  More on that change in another post though.

Which leads to another reason packing was hard.  I'm a little bit of a pack rat. My wife and instructional assistants, not so much.  Which leads to lots of sorting, a lot of questions (which classroom does this activity go to??), and a ton of garbage and recycling.  I couldn't have done it without them though!

Lastly, with my transition to a new classroom, I had to prepare 2 different classes.  I still had paperwork for my currently assignment to complete, as well as learn about my new position, new responsibilities, and new students.  It's a very different role for me, but I look forward to this opportunity, and I'm sure I'll be sharing my stuggles, and successes with all of you!



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Monday, June 17, 2013

#AppMondayTAS - Activity Timer

Each week I will be featuring an app from BridgingApps.org.  These apps are features in the Bridging Apps newsletter each week and are reviewed by Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Special Education Teachers.  Come back each week for a new review.  If you’d like more information on how to use the BridgingApps.org website, or to find more app reviews, please click here.

Activity Timer - $.99 (iPad Only)





Reviewer Comments
This Activity Timer is different from most timers because it allows you to add an activity image from your photo library. Why would this be important? Let's say you need your child to finish their homework before going swimming. You can have a picture of them swimming set on the timer and watch the colorful semi-circle tick down based on the time you set, giving a visual representation of time elapsing. If a child can not read numbers they can just watch the semi circle wind down.

If your child is easily distracted you may want to place the time in another room so they can not stare at the timer. If a child can handle the timer in the room without being too distracted by it, it can be a great way for them to see how much time they have left to get their work done or get their chores done. In the classroom the teacher may put a picture of a variety of rewards--books, computer time, playing with the class pet, etc.--which means the children can have access to this reward if they get their work done.

It can also teach students what time means. When the teacher states we will have "lunch in 5 minutes" she can put a picture of lunch and set the timer. This action can help to teach children the meaning of time.

Mobile Devices
iPad

Embedded Skills
able to follow simple directions
able to visually differentiate differences between pictures
attention span
executive functioning skills
increase independence inferencing

Assistive Traits
Assistive Self Help
Assistive/Independent Assistive

iTunes Categories
Utilities
Education

BridgingApps Categories
BridgingApps Reviewed App
Organizational Skills

Disclaimer:
You may copy, modify format, distribute and perform the work(s), including app reviews and
any data even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission provided that you: a)
cite our research project and publications as follows: BridgingApps, a program of Easter Seals
Greater Houston; b) agree that we make no warranties about the work(s) or data, and disclaim
liability for all uses of the work(s) or data, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; c)
when using or citing the work(s) or data, you should not imply endorsement by us; and d) do not
misrepresent the work or its content, or any part thereof, or present it any manner which would
have the effect of disparaging BridgingApps, Easter Seals Greater Houston or any affiliated
entity or person.v



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Sunday, June 16, 2013

EdCeptional Live! #045



We'll be recording EdCeptional Live! tomorrow, June 17 at 8:15 pm.  Join us on Goolge+ as we talk special education, technology and more!

EdCeptional Live! #045



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Thursday, June 13, 2013

EdCeptional Minute #44.5 - Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest


In this week's EdCeptional Minute we explore Pinterest and the many, many boards relating to Assistive Technology and Special Education.  Be sure to give it a listen, and check out the video featuring all the boards!

EdCeptional Minute #44.5 - Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest



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Monday, June 10, 2013

#AppMondayTAS - SoundingBoard


Each week I will be featuring an app from BridgingApps.org.  These apps are features in the Bridging Apps newsletter each week and are reviewed by Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Special Education Teachers.  Come back each week for a new review.  If you’d like more information on how to use the BridgingApps.org website, or to find more app reviews, please click here.



Sounding Board - Universal, Free
Reviewer Comments
SoundingBoard is a simple yet effective AAC communication board for children or adults who are non-verbal or for students who may "freeze" in an emergency and can not get their words out.
The app is preloaded with 14 boards with the option of 9 pictures per board depending on the needs of the user. AbleNet has an extensive library of pictures to change photos. There is also the option of using your own photos for certain boards. The other nice feature is the option to use your own voice when editing pictures such as your name and phone number.
Editing the board is also very user friendly. Caretakers, teachers or therapists just turn off the edit lock in the settings and simply go to the board they want to edit and either add or delete pictures. This is where you also can change the given voice and put in your own.
There is an option for in-app purchases from Able-Net to purchase boards dealing with restaurants, movies, general conversation getting dressed and mealtime. They are separated by female or male making the expressions more appropriate for a variety of users.
This app is one of the tools we use with all of our students as it helps with choice making, expressive language, receptive language and social skills. Two important boards are the Emergency Information and Emergency Help. In our classroom, we use this as one of our warm up exercises.
This is a must have tool for as it can be adjusted to the needs of the child. Our non-verbal students will use this app when they need to get information out quickly, especially for requesting help.
For those who are unable to use a touch screen, but who can operate assistive switches, the app can be used with 1 or 2 Bluetooth-connected switches.
Auditory Scanning: SoundingBoard now allows auditory scanning in addition to single and dual switch scanning. Auditory scanning works by playing a short "prompt message" during single or dual scanning actions. When the user selects the appropriate cell, the full message plays.
The app offers detailed videos and instructions at:
http://www.ablenetinc.com/Assistive-Technology/Communication/SoundingBoard
Possible IEP Goals:
Student will be able to state their address.
Student will be able to state their phone number.
Student will be able to make a choice from between two choices.
Attributes
Mobile Devices
Independent Traits
Assistive Traits
Assistive/Independent
iTunes Categories
BridgingApps Categories
Disclaimer:
You may copy, modify format, distribute and perform the work(s), including app reviews and
any data even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission provided that you: a)
cite our research project and publications as follows: BridgingApps, a program of Easter Seals
Greater Houston; b) agree that we make no warranties about the work(s) or data, and disclaim
liability for all uses of the work(s) or data, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; c)
when using or citing the work(s) or data, you should not imply endorsement by us; and d) do not
misrepresent the work or its content, or any part thereof, or present it any manner which would
have the effect of disparaging BridgingApps, Easter Seals Greater Houston or any affiliated
entity or person.







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Thursday, June 6, 2013

EdCeptional #44 - Hey, where'd Tricia go?


The latest episode of EdCeptional is live at the EdReach.us site.  Take a listen as we discuss an interesting Pinterest board, the QuickKey Kickstarter, and an app called subtext.

EdCeptional #44 - Hey, where'd Tricia go?



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