From APPrehension to APPreciation – There’s an APP for That!

First let me APPlaud my classmates for all the wonderful presentations Wednesday night. It was great to hear your insights about ways we can use AT to support diverse learners in our schools! Your enthusiasm and helpful examples helped alleviate some of my “Where do I begin?” apprehension.

Keisha & Donalda: New Apps for Learning Disabilities

Thanks to Keisha and Donalda for starting us off! They demonstrated three great apps for students with LD: iBooks3, Paperport Notes, and Book Creator. I have downloaded Book Creator and have started exploring its use. My “Aha” moment during their presentation was as I thought about the number of students being diagnosed with learning disabilities. That number seems to be on the rise. Therefore we, as teachers, need to seek out the best and most APPropriate resources to support them.  Keisha and Donalda gave us some very helpful tips on where to begin.

Maralynn, Evan, Karen & Nicole: Apps in Action for Severe Autism

I liked the way this group organized the apps under different domains, such as precursor skills, sensory regulation, sensory integration, etc. Any of us who have taught children with autism know how broad the spectrum is, so the variety of apps they presented could be applicable to a wide variety of students. While watching their presentation, I was reminded of the Carly Fleischmann video, and how AT opened up a whole new world for her. I wonder if any of these apps will be the key to reaching and teaching students with autism in our schools?  The thought is very APPealing.

Jeremy, Clarissa, Joseph & Michelle: New Apps for Learning Disabilities

This group also presented on apps for LD, and along with learning about the web browser Puffin (which I will use), I was very interested in their descriptions of the use of mobile devices in their schools. What struck me was that there APPears to be a great discrepancy between the schools. One comment that stood out was, “the amount of technology available is disproportionate to the needs.”  Such inequities in public education break my heart. It does not seem fair that children should be disadvantaged in this way.

Victor, Janice & Sheri: Executive Functions and Apps

I have a family member with significant challenges with respect to executive function and working memory, so I had a personal interest in this topic. I have watched this person try to cope and create a “surrogate frontal lobe” by writing his class schedule on the palm of his hand, and texting me with test dates whenever they are assigned so he will have a record of them.  Many of the apps for “Planning” and “Doing” would be very APPlicable for him.  I only wish we had known about them sooner in his school years. It might have saved him – and us – a lot of frustration.  (And I loved the video at the end: delayed gratification is a challenge for many!)

Dawn: New Apps for Learning Disabilities

The Piper Otterbein video, “Overcoming Dyslexia, Finding Passion” was a reminder to me that LDs can be overcome with the right supports.  Piper shared how, because of her learning disability, those around her thought she was incapable of learning. She is a reminder that how we APPear is not who we are: we are much, much more. Again, with apps like iBooks, ReadIris and Paperport Notes, so much more is possible.

Angela, Lacee & Christine: New Apps for Learning Disabilities – Next class!

A concept that I heard repeated in several presentations was that of BYOD. Since several schools reported not having access to mobile devices, this may be an interim measure for some schools to have them more available to students. The only caveat is that it may further disadvantage students who do not own these devices.

Finally, to Barb, for sharing these informative webinars and reminding us that “training is critical”: an APPle for the teacher!